You Know Their Faces, But Do You Know Their Names?
Classic television gave us unforgettable characters, but remembering the actors who played them is only for the true fans. This quiz features 13 performers from beloved 1970s and 1980s TV classics. You'll get two character clues for each actor. How many can you get right without peeking?
Who Played Oscar Madison And Quincy?
On The Odd Couple, Oscar Madison was a messy sportswriter whose habits drove his tidy roommate crazy. Later, Quincy, M.E. introduced a stubborn medical examiner who refused to let suspicious deaths go unexplained. Can you name the actor behind both television favorites?
Screenshot from The Odd Couple, Paramount (1970-1975)
The Answer Is Jack Klugman
Jack Klugman played Oscar Madison on The Odd Couple from 1970 to 1975 before starring in Quincy, M.E. from 1976 to 1983. His ability to move between sitcom comedy and serious investigative drama helped make him a television fixture across two decades.
Silver Screen Collection, Getty Images
Who Played Florence Johnston And Mary Jenkins?
Remember Florence Johnston, the sharp-tongued housekeeper who never hesitated to challenge George Jefferson? Now think of Mary Jenkins, the outspoken Washington, D.C., resident who knew everybody's business on 227. One actress brought both women to life. Can you remember her name?
Screenshot from The Jeffersons, Sony Pictures Entertainment (1975-1985)
The Answer Is Marla Gibbs
Marla Gibbs became a sitcom favorite playing Florence Johnston on The Jeffersons. She later starred as Mary Jenkins on 227, which debuted in 1985. Gibbs helped develop the latter series from a stage play and also served as an executive producer.
Who Played Murray Slaughter And Captain Stubing?
At WJM-TV, Murray Slaughter wrote the news and exchanged jokes with his coworkers on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Meanwhile, Captain Merrill Stubing welcomed passengers aboard the Pacific Princess on The Love Boat. Who made the transition from television newsroom to cruise ship?
Screenshot from Love Boat, Paramount (1977-1987), Modified
The Answer Is Gavin MacLeod
Gavin MacLeod played Murray Slaughter throughout The Mary Tyler Moore Show before becoming Captain Merrill Stubing in 1977. The two roles showcased his considerable range as a television performer. He went from a supporting newsroom player to the central figure of The Love Boat.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
Who Played Zena Sherman And Carla Tortelli?
On Taxi, Zena Sherman was the surprisingly sweet girlfriend of irritable dispatcher Louie De Palma. Over at Cheers, Carla Tortelli was a waitress whose biting remarks kept everyone on their toes. Do you remember the actress who played both very different women?
Screenshot from Cheers, Paramount (1982-1993)
The Answer Is Rhea Perlman
Rhea Perlman played Zena on Taxi between 1979 and 1982 before joining Cheers as Carla Tortelli. Her performance as the outspoken waitress became one of the sitcom's defining attractions. Perlman received ten Emmy nominations for Cheers and won four times.
Who Played Arthur Harmon And Mr. Drummond?
On Maude, Dr. Arthur Harmon was the conservative neighbor who frequently clashed with outspoken Maude Findlay. Then came Diff'rent Strokes, featuring wealthy widower Philip Drummond and the two brothers he welcomed into his family. Can you identify the actor behind both characters?
Screenshot from Diff'rent Strokes, Sony Pictures Entertainment (1978-1986)
The Answer Is Conrad Bain
Conrad Bain portrayed Arthur Harmon throughout Maude before taking the leading role in Diff'rent Strokes in 1978. As Philip Drummond, he became the responsible father figure in a household full of comic surprises. Bain remained with the popular sitcom through its conclusion in 1986.
Who Played Jessica Tate And Mona Robinson?
On Soap, Jessica Tate presided over an outrageously complicated wealthy family with remarkable innocence. Years later, Who's the Boss? introduced Mona Robinson, the spirited grandmother who refused to behave like a conventional senior citizen. Which actress made both women so memorable?
Screenshot from Who's the Boss?, Sony Pictures Entertainment (1984-1992)
The Answer Is Katherine Helmond
Katherine Helmond earned four Emmy nominations playing Jessica Tate on Soap. She later became Mona Robinson on Who's the Boss?, beginning in 1984. The two characters demonstrated her talent for portraying unconventional women, and she earned another two Emmy nominations for her performance as Mona.
ABC Photo Archives / Getty Images
Who Played Johnny Fever And Charlie Moore?
Dr. Johnny Fever was the rebellious disc jockey who kept things unpredictable on WKRP in Cincinnati. Charlie Moore, meanwhile, was the unconventional teacher guiding gifted students on Head of the Class. These very different television personalities shared one performer. Who was he?
Screenshot from WKRP in Cincinnati, The Walt Disney Company (1978-1982)
The Answer Is Howard Hesseman
Howard Hesseman played Dr. Johnny Fever on WKRP in Cincinnati, which ran from 1978 to 1982. In 1986, he returned to television as history teacher Charlie Moore on Head of the Class. His earlier experience as a real radio disc jockey added authenticity to Johnny Fever.
Who Played Ted Baxter And Henry Rush?
Ted Baxter was the pompous television anchorman who rarely understood how ridiculous he sounded on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Henry Rush was the protective cartoonist father on Too Close for Comfort. Can you name the actor who turned both into memorable sitcom characters?
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer Is Ted Knight
Ted Knight won acclaim as the self-important newsman Ted Baxter during the 1970s. In 1980, he began starring as Henry Rush, a cartoonist whose adult daughters lived downstairs from him. The second series gave Knight another opportunity to play a blustering but entertaining personality.
Who Played George Jefferson And Deacon Frye?
George Jefferson became famous for his swagger, short temper, and determination to succeed on The Jeffersons. Deacon Ernest Frye was an equally opinionated church official on Amen. Both characters had enormous personalities, but can you remember the actor who made them household favorites?
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer Is Sherman Hemsley
Sherman Hemsley first portrayed George Jefferson on All in the Family before starring in The Jeffersons. After that series ended, he returned in 1986 as Deacon Ernest Frye on Amen. Hemsley brought his energetic physical comedy and distinctive delivery to both roles.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
Who Played Burt Campbell And Harry Weston?
On Soap, Burt Campbell dealt with outrageous family problems and increasingly bizarre situations. Years later, Empty Nest introduced Dr. Harry Weston, a widowed physician whose grown daughters complicated his home life. Can you remember the performer behind these two beloved television fathers?
Screenshot from Soap, Sony Pictures Entertainment (1977-1981), Enhanced
The Answer Is Richard Mulligan
Richard Mulligan won an Emmy in 1980 for playing Burt Campbell on Soap. He earned another Emmy in 1989 for his portrayal of Dr. Harry Weston on Empty Nest. His expressive face and physical comedy made him especially effective at portraying lovable, overwhelmed family men.
Fotos International, Getty Images
Who Played Harry The Hat And Judge Harry Stone?
On Cheers, Harry the Hat was a charming con artist who enjoyed fooling the regulars at the bar. On Night Court, Judge Harry Stone brought magic tricks and unconventional humor into his courtroom. Which actor played these two characters with surprisingly similar names?
Screenshot from Cheers, Paramount (1982-1993)
The Answer Is Harry Anderson
Harry Anderson played con man Harry Gittes on Cheers before becoming Judge Harry Stone on Night Court in 1984. Anderson was also an accomplished professional magician. His real-life fascination with magic became an important part of his courtroom character's personality.
Who Played Terri Michaels And Christine Sullivan?
Terri Michaels helped organize bounty-hunting assignments for Colt Seavers on The Fall Guy. Christine Sullivan was the principled public defender navigating outrageous courtroom situations on Night Court. Both characters worked in very different corners of the justice system. Can you name their actress?
Screenshot from Night Court, Warner Bros. (1984-1992), Enhanced
The Answer Is Markie Post
Markie Post played bail bondswoman Terri Michaels on The Fall Guy from 1982 to 1985. She then became a regular on Night Court as attorney Christine Sullivan. The latter role established her as a prominent member of one of the decade's most recognizable comedy ensembles.
Who Played Franklin Bickley And George Utley?
Franklin Delano Bickley was the grumpy neighbor who regularly encountered an alien visitor on Mork & Mindy. George Utley was the well-meaning but frequently inept handyman at a Vermont inn on Newhart. Here's your final challenge. Which familiar character actor played them both?
Screenshot from Mork & Mindy, Paramount (1978-1982)
The Answer Is Tom Poston
Tom Poston portrayed Franklin Bickley on Mork & Mindy before joining Newhart as George Utley in the 1980s. His gift for playing pleasantly bewildered characters made him a natural fit for both sitcoms. His performance on Newhart earned him three Emmy nominations.
Time To Add Up Your Score
You've made it through all 13 rounds of classic television trivia. Give yourself one point for every actor you correctly identified before seeing the answer slide. No half points for recognizing the face without remembering the name. Ready to find out your ranking?
CBS Television
Uploaded by We hope at en.wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
From Remote Control Rookie To Rerun Regular
If you scored 0 to 3, you're a Remote Control Rookie who remembers the characters better than the credits. A score of 4 to 6 earns you Rerun Regular status. You clearly watched some great television, even if a few famous names escaped you.
CBS Television
Uploaded by We hope at en.wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
Are You A True Classic TV Expert?
A score of 7 to 9 makes you a Prime Time Pro, while 10 or 11 earns the title Syndication Specialist. Get 12 or 13, and you're officially a Walking TV Guide! Share your score and tell us which actor had you completely stumped.
Screenshot from Soap, Sony Pictures Entertainment (1977-1981), Enhanced
