Unknowns On Sitcoms That Went On To Become Stars

[FredLeonard]

Rita Wilson (future wife of Tom Hanks) on an episode of The Brady Bunch. She played a cheerleader contestant in the episode in which Greg had to choose between Marcia and his girlfriend over who made the cheerleading squad.

Not exactly a sitcom - but a sitcom spin-off.

Rita Wilson played a teenage girl in trouble in the first episode of Lou Grant. One of the stars of Lou Grant was Nancy Marchand. Marchand later played Frasier's mother, Dr. Hester Crane, on Cheers. Wilson later played Frasier's mom on Frasier.

Emma Thompson played Frasier's first wife, Nanette Guzman (Nanny G) on a Cheers episode.

 

[MarioMania]

Does Zooey Deschanel on Veronica's Closet count?

 

[rnigma1]

Speaking of "Lou Grant," Terri Nunn, who later gained fame as lead singer of Berlin, appeared on a couple of episodes; in one, she played a condemned prisoner that Joe Rossi had a crush on.

 

[Legend City]

David Spade on Facts of Life
George Clooney on Facts of Life

Howard Hessman on Bob Newhart

 

[BD Sullivan]

Hesseman was also on Dragnet (which has unintentional camp humor), but he was billed as "Don Sturdy."

 

[FredLeonard]

Ed Harris also appeared in several Lou Grant episodes (different roles) before his movie career took off.

 

[jwk1979]

Hesseman was also on Dragnet (which has unintentional camp humor), but he was billed as "Don Sturdy."

He also appeared in one of the last episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show" credited as "Don Sturdy".

 

[jwk1979]

Saw an episode of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" the other night, in which Alan Brady was looking for the most talented kids in New Rochelle, and during the closing credits, some of the kids that would go on to fame later in life, included Barry Livingston (Ernie on "My Three Sons") and Barry Van Dyke.

Jamie Farr also appeared in several episodes of DVDS as the deli delivery man.

 

[cspotrun]

in watching some of the early Gunsmoke episodes, i've seen ken Curtis in at least 4 or 5 Gunsmoke's playing several different parts. i didn't realize he was in so many episodes of Gunsmoke before he eventually became a regular as "Festus"... probably didn't hurt that he was married to famous director "John Ford's" daughter...

 

[Ultimajock]

Jamie Farr also appeared in several episodes of DVDS as the deli delivery man.

...I was amazed to see Jamie Farr in a bit part of a sketch in a 1955 Johnny Carson Show...

 

[anotherguyTN]

Jamie Farr was also in an episode of The Andy Griffith Show as a Gypsy, and William Christopher was in an episode where he played a new doctor that everyone thought was too young.

 

[onairb]

Christopher did that episode between appearances on 'Gomer Pyle', where he had the recurring role of Private Hummell.

 

[onairb]

Jamie Farr also appeared in several episodes of DVDS as the deli delivery man.

...I was amazed to see Jamie Farr in a bit part of a sketch in a 1955 Johnny Carson Show...

That would have been around the time he was in the movie, The Blackboard Jungle.

 

[rnigma1]

Early in his career, Jamie Farr was still using his real name, Jameel Farrah; in addition to being in "The Blackboard Jungle," he was also in "No Time for Sergeants" (the movie). I wonder if he appeared on Danny Thomas' show, especially since he had much in common with Danny (large nose, Lebanese ancestry, Toledo upbringing).

 

[BD Sullivan]

Early in his career, Jamie Farr was still using his real name, Jameel Farrah; in addition to being in "The Blackboard Jungle," he was also in "No Time for Sergeants" (the movie). I wonder if he appeared on Danny Thomas' show, especially since he had much in common with Danny (large nose, Lebanese ancestry, Toledo upbringing).

He also appeared on an episode of Hazel.

 

[FredLeonard]

The other day, Antenna TV ran a Hazel episode with Scotty (complete with Scottish accent).

 

[Tim L]

Jamie Farr also appeared in My Favorite Martian..

 

[Corky Marlowe]

The other day, Antenna TV ran a Hazel episode with Scotty (complete with Scottish accent).

"Mr. B, I canna change the laws of physics!"

 

[michael hagerty]

Ellen DeGeneres on "Open House", a single-season (1989-1990) FOX sitcom that was a spinoff of a two-season (1987-1989) show called "Duet". Ellen played Margo Van Meter, the receptionist at the real estate office where the show took place.

 

[onairb]

Early in his career, Jamie Farr was still using his real name, Jameel Farrah; in addition to being in "The Blackboard Jungle," he was also in "No Time for Sergeants" (the movie). I wonder if he appeared on Danny Thomas' show, especially since he had much in common with Danny (large nose, Lebanese ancestry, Toledo upbringing).

He also appeared on an episode of Hazel.

He did not appear on 'Make Room for Daddy', but popped up in sketches on Red Skelton's and Danny Kaye's shows.