E. Honda

So here's the game... you are watching a TV on DVD season set, and you see a favorite actor, who appeared years later on a hit show and became famous, bit in what you are watching he/she is an unknown with a bit part. Here's the first:



This is from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, the episode "Space Rockers". Who are these unknown thugs? On the left, Richard Moll, who went on to play Nostradamus "Bull" Shannon on Night Court, and on the right is Jerry Orbach, who went on to play the beloved detective Lenny Briscoe on Law and Order.

Let the hunt begin! Post screen caps of whomever you find here.

nateman

Great thread!

I've seen so many actors, before they were on a hit TV series, it's not even funny. I'd love to play, but I'm not sure how to get pictures off my DVDs. Could I get some help?

I have a laptop w/ DVD burner (also players DVDs), does that help?

DRG

Okay, if Jerry Orbach had worn that outfit in Law & Order I may have actually watched it.

Jadzia

Can you post some screen caps of Dorothy Stratten? She was in a Buck Rogers episode, but I am not sure which one.

NORML54601

I was watching an ep of the X-files last night and was sure I'd seen Ben Affleck in a bit part as a pilot but it was on cable so i couldn't get a screencap. Anyone know if it was actually him?

nateman

I'm busy this evening, and won't be able to be on the computer the rest of the evening, but tomorrow morning while I'm having my coffee, I'll post a whole bunch of good ones. Here's one, for now...



This is Jack Lord, who we all know as the beloved Steve McGarrett from the legendary crime drama, Hawaii Five-O. This is him billed as "Special Guest Star" portraying Bill Hagen in the October 29, 1959 episode, "The Jack Lingle Killing", of The Untouchables.

Big thanks to Chew for recommending me a media player that has the 'snapshot' option.

shaun3000

Not to be picky but Jerry Orbach was a well-know and well-respected Broadway actor and had been for years. In other words, he was already famous, just not for TV.

nightwing82

No offense to the stage, but Broadway doesn't really count in this day and age. At least not to the general public.

nateman

I don't know if this one should really count or not, but because he turned into a pretty big movie star, I thought he deserved a mention. You'll probably know this legendary actor from such films as The Godfather: Part II and Apocalypse Now. This is Robert Duvall starring in a two-part episode, "Never Wave Goodbye -pt.1 and pt.2" (10/08/63, 10/15/63), of The Fugitive.



You'll probably know this man best as the voice of Fat Tony on The Simpsons, and the replacement for Mandy Patinkin as lead on Criminal Minds. This is Joe Mantegna portraying Juan One in several episodes of the final season of Soap. This is him in the finale episode of Soap, which aired 4/20/81.



This man might not be as well known to American audiences as he is to Canadian audiences, his most well known roles in the states would be his work on Soap as Dutch, and on the daytime soap, The Young and the Restless. In Canada he's a beloved Canadian character actor who's starred in Danger Bay (horrible show, but it's a Canadian classic) and Da Vinci's Inquest. This is Donnelly Rhodes portraying Raymond Barret in the episode, "The Freeze" (12/23/68), of Mission: Impossible.



This is Ed Asner (billed as Edward Asner) who everyone knows as the beloved Lou Grant from Marry Tyler Moore and his own spinoff, Lou Grant. This is him guest starring as George Simpson, in the episode, "The Mind of Stefan Milkos" (1/12/69), of Mission: Impossible.



This is Larry Linville, who is best known as Frank Burns in the first five seasons of the iconic dramedy, M*A*S*H. This is him portraying Captain Gulka in the episode, "The Glass Cage" (2/2/69), of Mission: Impossible.

movieking

There were a lot of female guest stars in Seinfeld that ended up being famous. Too lazy to find and post pics though.

Jadzia

I always knew him as the dad from Dirty Dancing.

Red Dog

Great threads for Lenny Briscoe.

Pistol Pete

Ashley Judd as Ensign Lefler, Wesley's first love, in ST:TNG. Wil Wheaton you lucky dog!

shaun3000

Me too! I never watched Law & Order, so when people mention him in that, it means nothing to me.

shaun3000

Maybe for you, but there are plenty of theatre fans and many big Broadway stars. Nathan Lane and Harvey Fierstein immediately come to mind, and there are many others.

And it was definitely a big influence when Jerry Orbach was in his heyday.

Timber

Kirsty Alley on Match Game.

dgmayor

Nikki Cox playing Sarjenka the alien on Star Trek:The Next Generation. She's currently(?) Mary Connell on Las Vegas.

nateman

I was watch Law & Order: SVU - The First Year TV on DVD set, and while watching episode 18 ("Chat Room"), I noticed Ellen Muth from Dead Like Me.