Like a lot of people, I get a kick out of seeing today's stars in old TV shows before they were famous. The Andy Griffith Show never fails to provide "up & comers" from the past. Yesterday, while playing on the computer, I heard a familiar voice from the TV. Much to my surprise it was a twenty something Jack Nicholson playing a bit part. And today, a very luscious young Barbara Eden. Anybody else have any similar sightings they'd like to relate?
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red14
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No, I can't get my mind off Barbara Eden, thanks.
finesse_r
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The old black and white western "Wanted Dead or Alive" TV series staring a young Steve McQueen. That series had many bit players that would later make it big. A very young James Garner and James Coburn each had small parts in several of the different episodes. Those are the only two that come to mind, but there were others.
Alpo
Member
There was a young man in two or three episodes. Local git-tar picker. Andy got him a job with a touring band (Bobby Fleet?).
I looked at him, and more important I LISTENED to his voice, and bedamned if that weren't Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane, of Hazzard County Georgia.
James Best as Jim Lindsey on the Andy Griffith Show (clip 2) - YouTube
I looked at him, and more important I LISTENED to his voice, and bedamned if that weren't Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane, of Hazzard County Georgia.
James Best as Jim Lindsey on the Andy Griffith Show (clip 2) - YouTube
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
I seem to remember William Shatner in an episode or two of "The Twilight Zone". He couldn't act then either. 
I think Robert Redford, before he was well known, may have been in an episode of "The Untouchables".
I think Robert Redford, before he was well known, may have been in an episode of "The Untouchables".
I like to do that too when I watch old shows. Robert Vaughn in The Rifleman comes to mind. Most actors start out small and stay that way, but some few get a big break and become famous.
A non TV example is Lucille Ball. She had a small role in "Three Little Pigskins" which was an early Three Stooges effort. She played the girl friend of one of the mobsters.
Robert Urich started that way in the early 1970s. He just kept auditioning until he got some small roles and then got larger and larger ones until he had a hit show.
A non TV example is Lucille Ball. She had a small role in "Three Little Pigskins" which was an early Three Stooges effort. She played the girl friend of one of the mobsters.
Robert Urich started that way in the early 1970s. He just kept auditioning until he got some small roles and then got larger and larger ones until he had a hit show.
Comrad
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How about Wayne Newton in an episode of Bonanza.
the ringo kid
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Many if your only talking about the Andy Griffith Show. They include: Denver Pyle, Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr, James Best and others.
the ringo kid
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Quite a few on that show including: Nick Adams & Michael Landon and a slew of others. Warren Oates, Mort Mills, Noah Beery Jr (although he was a known "name" long before that time) also comes to mind as well as John Larch. I was writing up every episode of that series for a website so I have what I think is a complete list of guests who made it big. Ill try to remember to share them here sometime.
I was watching an old F Troop night before last, the one where the Prussian comes in to train the troop in ballooning in order to attack the Heckawi tribe? The Prussian was Harvey Korman!
J. R. WEEMS
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Don't forget the 'Darlins'-- they were the real deal in their day, except of course Denver Pyle. I have a CD of them and they were GOOD-- Many say they were responsible for the upsurge of Bluegrass in the day-- if nothing else they sure were forerunners.
the ringo kid
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He was in 3-4 episodes if I recall? and it was a pleasure to see him in that show. He has appeared in quite a few good movies too like: Shenandoah, Verboten etc.
the ringo kid
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I seem to remember William Shatner in an episode or two of "The Twilight Zone". He couldn't act then either.
I think Robert Redford, before he was well known, may have been in an episode of "The Untouchables".
Shatner was in at least 2 T.Z eps. The more famed one was the one when he was on the airplane seeing that alien creature eating the planes engines.
Redford was also in an episode of: Whispering Smith. It was one of the first eps of that series.
the ringo kid
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Don't forget the 'Darlins'-- they were the real deal in their day, except of course Denver Pyle. I have a CD of them and they were GOOD-- Many say they were responsible for the upsurge of Bluegrass in the day-- if nothing else they sure were forerunners.
I remember them quite well and the "Darlin Brothers" always reminded me of the two brothers named: Daryl and Daryl--from I think it was the Bob Newhart Show.
Who can forget a young Clint Eastwood as Rowdy Gates in "Rawhide?" Looks like he was fan of S&W revolvers back then, too...
John
John
Jst1mr
Member
FWIW, in the other Shatner episode he became obsessed with the answers he was getting from a fortune-telling machine in a diner. He was definitely working on that melodramatic technique already!
kozmic
Member
Yeah, TV Land has become my default channel when I get home from work. The news has been nausiating lately so a trip to The Ponderosa and Mayberry it is!
You can always catch someone who was cutting their teeth in acting on one of those shows. It's always good for a laugh!
You can always catch someone who was cutting their teeth in acting on one of those shows. It's always good for a laugh!
S&WIowegan
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Yes including Ken Curtis(Festus) in at least one episode where he was a charming, handsome psychopathic murderer.
