People who guest starred and later became regular in different role

[chris12]

What were some examples of someone who made a guest appearance on a show and later became a regular on that show in a difrent role. A few examples:
On Married With Children Ted McGinley appears as Peggy's husband in Al's alternate life in the It's A Wonderful Life parody Christmas epiosde and a few years later he's a regular as Jefferson D'arcy.

On My Three Sons Tina Cole appeared a few times as different classmate charachters and would later play Robbie Douglas's wife Katie.

 

[Braves2005]

On Bewitched, Paul Lynde and Alice Ghostley first played mortal characters (Ghostley guested as a housekeeper at about the time that Tabitha was being born) and then they both went on to play Uncle Arthur and Esmeralda respectively.

 

[KeithE4]

Harry Morgan played an insane General in an early M*A*S*H episode, then became Colonel Potter a few seasons later.

 

[classictvfan]

Harry Morgan played an insane General in an early M*A*S*H episode, then became Colonel Potter a few seasons later.

Actually, one season later

 

[Ultimajock]

...George Clooney guested on the '80s CBS sitcom "E/R" before becoming a charter regular on the '90s NBC drama "ER"...

 

[tlyle]

Richard Anderson (Six Million Dollar Man) guest starred on Perry Mason and later became the head detective in its final seasons. Forgot his detective character's name.

 

[firepoint525]

Allan Melvin guested on Archie Bunker's Place before landing his regular role. I don't remember the names of the characters he played, because I did not watch the show enough to know.

On the Brady Bunch, one of the girls at the slumber party (I believe it was the one who was disinvited), later had a recurring role as Greg's girlfriend Rachel. I believe it was one of Sherwood Schwartz's daughters in both roles.

 

[Braves2005]

Vincent Gardenia guest starred in a couple of memorable episodes of All In The Family before playing Frank Lorenzo. He played the real estate agent that handled the house that the Jeffersons would live in and then he played the husband of the swinging couple along with Rue McClanahan that Edith corresponds to in a lonely hearts club group.

 

[radiorob2.0]

Dennis Franz had an early role on Hill Street Blues before Norman Buntz as a corrupt cop named Sal Benedetto.

 

[YEKIMI]

S. Epatha Merkerson played one or two different roles on Law & Order before she was cast as Lt. Anita Van Buren.

 

[LKellerIII]

"S. Epatha Merkerson played one or two different roles on Law & Order before she was cast as Lt. Anita Van Buren."

Not unusual for L&O, and probably inevitable for such a long-lived show with so many cast changes over the years. Annie Parisse guest starred as a hooker/witness some years ago, then did 34 episodes more recently as Assistant DA Alexandra Borgia.

 

[firepoint525]

The guy who played Stuart (Brenda's almost husband) on 90210 in the fourth season also appeared in a different role in one of the earlier seasons.

 

[Kurt Toy]

Mary Ann Mobley made a guest appearance on either a first- or second-season episode of "Diff'rent Strokes" long before becoming the second Mrs. Phillip Drummond.

 

[radiorob2.0]

Anita Gillette played Quincy's first wife and her evil twin with a goatee played his second wife. Okay, I made up the evil twin with a goatee part but she did play both roles.

 

[bmprfg]

I believe Jerry Orbach had a pre Lenny role too

 

[Smittian]

Mary Ann Mobley made a guest appearance on either a first- or second-season episode of "Diff'rent Strokes" long before becoming the second Mrs. Phillip Drummond.

I believe Dixie Carter played Mrs. Drummond # 2

 

[Braves2005]

Mary Ann Mobley made a guest appearance on either a first- or second-season episode of "Diff'rent Strokes" long before becoming the second Mrs. Phillip Drummond.

I believe Dixie Carter played Mrs. Drummond # 2

Dixie Carter played Mrs. Drummond (Phillip Drummond's second wife) first from 1984 to 1985, the last year it was on NBC and then Mary Ann Mobley replaced Carter from 1985 to 1986, the first and last season it was on ABC.

 

[YEKIMI]

Yeah, If I remember right, Jerry Orbach was a defense attorney before he became Lenny Brisco

 

[firepoint525]

Mary Ann Mobley made a guest appearance on either a first- or second-season episode of "Diff'rent Strokes" long before becoming the second Mrs. Phillip Drummond.

I believe Dixie Carter played Mrs. Drummond # 2

Dixie Carter played Mrs. Drummond (Phillip Drummond's second wife) first from 1984 to 1985, the last year it was on NBC and then Mary Ann Mobley replaced Carter from 1985 to 1986, the first and last season it was on ABC.

Yes, this is correct. Dixie Carter, and then Mary Ann Mobley, played the second Mrs. Drummond on Diff'rent Strokes. As far as I know, we never met the first Mrs. Drummond (Kimberly's mother). Either Phillip was divorced from her, or she had died. I think it was the latter.

I think it is a bit of an insult to the viewers' intelligence to have Dixie Carter and Mary Ann Mobley play the same woman, when the two of them look nothing alike, and have vastly different personalities! But having two actors playing the same character is called "jumping the shark"! ;D

 

[LKellerIII]

"I think it is a bit of an insult to the viewers' intelligence to have Dixie Carter and Mary Ann Mobley play the same woman, when the two of them look nothing alike, and have vastly different personalities"

Yeah, but it's got to be hard to cast a new actor for an existing character, and try to match the same appearance, manner of speaking, etc. That's why characters usually "die" or "move away" when an actor leaves a show...it's a lot easier.

The only good example I can think of were the two Darrens on Bewitched. The second Dick (Sergent, was it?) was fairly close to the first Dick (York) in terms of looks and mannerisms.