Television's Familiar Faces
The 1970s were a golden age of television, with dozens of hit dramas, westerns, police procedurals, sitcoms, and made-for-TV movies competing for viewers every week. While leading stars drew the headlines, a remarkable group of dependable character actors kept appearing across nearly every network schedule. Whether playing sheriffs, doctors, judges, villains, neighbors, or worried parents, these familiar faces became television royalty without necessarily becoming household names (like Lana Wood, pictured above).
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John Anderson
If a television western or police drama needed a gruff sheriff, rancher, or judge, John Anderson was often the first call. During the 1970s he appeared on series including Gunsmoke, The Waltons, The Rockford Files, Police Woman, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Streets of San Francisco, and The Bionic Woman. Film audiences also remembered him from Psycho (1960), directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh.
Dub Taylor
With his instantly recognizable voice and folksy charm, Dub Taylor remained one of television's busiest character actors well into the 1970s. His guest appearances included Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, Bonanza, The Incredible Hulk, Charlie's Angels, and The Dukes of Hazzard. Moviegoers also spotted him in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), directed by Arthur Penn and starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway.
Holland Taylor
Before becoming a familiar sitcom star decades later, Holland Taylor steadily built her reputation through dozens of television guest appearances in the late 1970s. Viewers saw her on Kojak, The Love Boat, Charlie's Angels, The Incredible Hulk, The Rockford Files, and Family. She later enjoyed notable film roles including Romancing the Stone (1984), directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito.
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Woodrow Parfrey
Although he often portrayed nervous officials, doctors, or eccentric authority figures, Woodrow Parfrey could play almost anyone. Throughout the decade he appeared on Columbo, McMillan & Wife, The Streets of San Francisco, The Rockford Files, Mannix, and Barnaby Jones. Film roles included Planet of the Apes (1968), directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, and Kim Hunter.
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Charles Lane
By the 1970s, Charles Lane had already accumulated decades of screen credits, yet he remained as busy as ever. Audiences encountered him on The Brady Bunch, The Bob Newhart Show, The Partridge Family, The Love Boat, Happy Days, and Little House on the Prairie. His film résumé included Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (1946), starring James Stewart and Donna Reed.
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Beth Howland
Although forever associated with Vera on Alice, Beth Howland spent years building an impressive résumé as a guest actress before landing that signature role. During the 1970s she appeared on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Love Boat, Eight Is Enough, The Bob Newhart Show, Little House on the Prairie, and Happy Days. Movie audiences also remembered her from Li'l Abner (1959), directed by Melvin Frank and starring Peter Palmer, Leslie Parrish, and Julie Newmar.
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Simon Oakland
Simon Oakland became one of television's most dependable dramatic performers, frequently portraying doctors, detectives, military officers, and judges. During the 1970s he guest-starred on Cannon, Barnaby Jones, McMillan & Wife, The Rockford Files, Police Story, and Ellery Queen. His memorable film performances included Psycho (1960), directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh.
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Dana Wynter
Elegant and poised, Dana Wynter moved from leading film roles into a steady television career during the 1970s. She guest-starred on Marcus Welby, M.D., Hawaii Five-O, Cannon, McMillan & Wife, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, and The Rockford Files. Her best-known movie role came in Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), directed by Don Siegel and co-starring Kevin McCarthy, King Donovan, and Carolyn Jones.
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Nehemiah Persoff
Nehemiah Persoff possessed one of television's most recognizable faces and voices. Equally convincing as sympathetic fathers or intimidating crime bosses, he appeared throughout the decade on Columbo, Kojak, The Streets of San Francisco, Police Story, Ellery Queen, and The Rockford Files. Film audiences admired him in Some Like It Hot (1959), directed by Billy Wilder and starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon.
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John Dehner
John Dehner's commanding voice and dignified presence made him ideal for judges, wealthy businessmen, military officers, and politicians. In the 1970s he appeared on Columbo, The Waltons, The Streets of San Francisco, Police Woman, McCloud, and Cannon. Earlier, he co-starred in Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969), directed by Burt Kennedy and starring James Garner, Joan Hackett, and Walter Brennan.
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Anne Meara
Anne Meara balanced an acclaimed comedy career with a remarkable number of dramatic television guest appearances. Throughout the 1970s she appeared on Rhoda, The Love Boat, McMillan & Wife, Police Woman, Archie Bunker's Place, and Starsky & Hutch. She also appeared in The Out-of-Towners (1970), directed by Arthur Hiller and starring Jack Lemmon and Sandy Dennis, while continuing her celebrated comedy partnership with husband Jerry Stiller.
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Percy Helton
Although small in stature and instantly recognizable by his raspy voice, Percy Helton never lacked for work. Even late in his career he continued appearing on series like Adam-12, The Odd Couple, Sanford and Son, Emergency!, and The Six Million Dollar Man. Film fans remembered him from White Heat (1949), directed by Raoul Walsh and starring James Cagney.
John Fiedler
John Fiedler's gentle voice made him unforgettable in both live-action and animation. During the 1970s he appeared on The Bob Newhart Show, The Odd Couple, The Love Boat, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, and Fantasy Island. Movie audiences also recognized him from 12 Angry Men (1957), directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, and Martin Balsam.
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Lois Nettleton
Lois Nettleton became one of television's most respected dramatic actresses, bringing warmth and intelligence to virtually every role. During the decade she guest-starred on MASH*, The Rockford Files, Barnaby Jones, The Streets of San Francisco, Police Woman, and Fantasy Island. Film audiences also saw her in In the Heat of the Night (1967), directed by Norman Jewison and starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger.
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Larry D. Mann
Canadian-born Larry D. Mann became one of television's busiest supporting performers, often cast as shopkeepers, scientists, and nervous bystanders. His guest appearances included MASH*, The Rockford Files, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Barney Miller, Starsky & Hutch, and Charlie's Angels. He also appeared in In the Heat of the Night (1967), directed by Norman Jewison and starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger.
Screenshot from In the Heat of the Night, United Artists (1967)
Dabbs Greer
Warm, dependable, and endlessly versatile, Dabbs Greer became one of television's quintessential character actors. During the 1970s he appeared on Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, Gunsmoke, The Rockford Files, CHiPs, and The Incredible Hulk. Later generations also remembered him from The Green Mile (1999), directed by Frank Darabont and starring Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan.
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Diane Baker
Elegant and versatile, Diane Baker smoothly transitioned from leading film roles to becoming one of television's busiest guest stars. Throughout the 1970s she appeared on Columbo, The Streets of San Francisco, Police Woman, The Rockford Files, Barnaby Jones, and Cannon. Earlier, she starred in The Diary of Anne Frank (1959), directed by George Stevens and co-starring Millie Perkins, Joseph Schildkraut, and Shelley Winters.
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Mills Watson
Towering and rugged, Mills Watson specialized in intimidating lawmen, bikers, outlaws, and military figures. Throughout the decade he guest-starred on The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, Police Woman, Baretta, Starsky & Hutch, and Wonder Woman. Film audiences knew him from McQ (1974), directed by John Sturges and starring John Wayne.
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R.G. Armstrong
With his booming voice and stern expression, R.G. Armstrong excelled at portraying preachers, fathers, sheriffs, and authority figures. His television appearances included The Waltons, Kung Fu, The Rockford Files, The Incredible Hulk, The A-Team (later), and Gunsmoke. His film work included Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973), directed by Sam Peckinpah and starring James Coburn, Kris Kristofferson, and Bob Dylan.
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Diana Hyland
Although her life was tragically cut short in 1977, Diana Hyland remained one of television's most familiar faces during the decade. She appeared on The Waltons, Baretta, Cannon, The Streets of San Francisco, Medical Center, and Marcus Welby, M.D. Movie audiences also knew her from The Chase (1966), directed by Arthur Penn and starring Marlon Brando, Jane Fonda, Robert Redford, and E. G. Marshall.
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John Milford
John Milford became a familiar face across nearly every television genre. Viewers spotted him on The Waltons, Police Story, The Rockford Files, Kung Fu, The Streets of San Francisco, and McCloud. On the big screen he appeared in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne, James Stewart, and Lee Marvin.
Screenshot from The Virginian, NBC (1962-1971)
Richard Jaeckel
Academy Award nominee Richard Jaeckel enjoyed a remarkably prolific television career throughout the decade. His guest appearances included The Rockford Files, Police Story, The Streets of San Francisco, Cannon, Barnaby Jones, and Charlie's Angels. His Oscar-nominated performance came in Sometimes a Great Notion (1971), directed by Paul Newman and co-starring Henry Fonda, Lee Remick, and Michael Sarrazin. The image shows Jaeckel in the short-lived ABC series Firehouse in 1974 (front, second from right).
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Kim Hamilton
Kim Hamilton became an important presence on television during the 1970s, appearing in dramas, crime series, and family programs at a time when opportunities for Black actresses were steadily expanding. Her guest appearances included Good Times, Sanford and Son, Barnaby Jones, Quincy, M.E., The Rockford Files, and The Jeffersons. Film credits included To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), directed by Robert Mulligan and starring Gregory Peck.
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Anne Seymour
Anne Seymour specialized in portraying strong-willed mothers, landladies, and formidable matriarchs. During the 1970s she appeared on The Waltons, Medical Center, Marcus Welby, M.D., Barnaby Jones, The Streets of San Francisco, and Little House on the Prairie. Film credits included All That Heaven Allows (1955), directed by Douglas Sirk and starring Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson.
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Strother Martin
Although often associated with westerns, Strother Martin proved equally effective in mysteries, comedies, and dramas during the 1970s. Television audiences saw him on Columbo, Police Story, Ellery Queen, The Rockford Files, and Charlie's Angels. His unforgettable film role came in Cool Hand Luke (1967), directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring Paul Newman, George Kennedy, and Jo Van Fleet.
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Lana Wood
Lana Wood built an extensive television career that stretched across nearly every popular genre. During the 1970s she guest-starred on Starsky & Hutch, Police Woman, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Vega$, and Charlie's Angels. She was also memorable as Plenty O'Toole in Diamonds Are Forever (1971), directed by Guy Hamilton and starring Sean Connery, Jill St. John, and Charles Gray.
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Elisha Cook Jr.
One of Hollywood's greatest supporting actors seamlessly transitioned into television, becoming a favorite guest star during the 1970s. He appeared on Columbo, Starsky & Hutch, Police Woman, McMillan & Wife, The Rockford Files, and Charlie's Angels. Classic film fans remembered him from The Maltese Falcon (1941), directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, and Peter Lorre.
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Jack Elam
Jack Elam's unforgettable crooked eye made him one of Hollywood's most recognizable character actors, but his talent extended well beyond western villains. Throughout the 1970s he appeared on The Rockford Files, The Streets of San Francisco, Police Woman, Starsky & Hutch, The Love Boat, and Little House on the Prairie. Film audiences fondly remembered him from Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969), directed by Burt Kennedy and starring James Garner, Joan Hackett, and Walter Brennan.
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Marjorie Bennett
Australian-born Marjorie Bennett quietly became one of Hollywood's most dependable supporting actresses. Even late in her career she continued appearing on The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, The Bob Newhart Show, The Partridge Family, Sanford and Son, and Happy Days. Earlier film credits included The Music Man (1962), directed by Morton DaCosta and starring Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, and Buddy Hackett.
Screenshot from Death Valley Days, McCann-Erickson (1952-1970)
John Crawford
John Crawford built one of television's busiest résumés by portraying sheriffs, detectives, military officers, and businessmen. During the 1970s he guest-starred on Barnaby Jones, Cannon, The Streets of San Francisco, Police Story, McCloud, and The Rockford Files. His film appearances included The Enforcer (1976), directed by James Fargo and starring Clint Eastwood, Tyne Daly, and Harry Guardino.
Screenshot from Lawman Without a Gun, EMI Television (1978)
Paul Fix
Already a veteran by the time the 1970s arrived, Paul Fix remained in constant demand for westerns and family dramas. He appeared on The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Virginian, and The High Chaparral. Moviegoers also knew him from The Rifleman star Chuck Connors' many projects, and from El Dorado (1966), directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne and Robert Mitchum.
Kathleen Nolan
After achieving fame as Kate McCoy on The Real McCoys, Kathleen Nolan spent the 1970s appearing on an impressive variety of television series. Her guest credits included The Love Boat, Barnaby Jones, The Streets of San Francisco, Police Woman, Fantasy Island, and Charlie's Angels. She also became one of the first women elected president of the Screen Actors Guild.
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Harold Gould
Harold Gould effortlessly moved between comedy and drama, becoming one of the decade's most reliable guest performers. His television credits included The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, The Love Boat, Maude, The Golden Girls (later), and Soap. Film audiences also saw him in The Sting (1973), directed by George Roy Hill and starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and Robert Shaw.
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Richard X. Slattery
Richard X. Slattery became a familiar face in countless police dramas thanks to his convincing portrayals of officers, detectives, and military personnel. During the 1970s he appeared on Police Story, The Rockford Files, CHiPs, Starsky & Hutch, Charlie's Angels, and S.W.A.T. He also appeared in Walking Tall (1973), directed by Phil Karlson and starring Joe Don Baker.
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Barbara Babcock
Barbara Babcock possessed one of television's most recognizable voices and became a favorite casting choice for sophisticated professionals, attorneys, and authority figures. During the 1970s she appeared on Columbo, Barnaby Jones, Police Woman, The Streets of San Francisco, Kojak, and Dallas. She also appeared in Far and Away (1992), directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.
Kathleen Freeman
Whether playing a stern nurse, landlady, teacher, or busybody neighbor, Kathleen Freeman elevated every production she joined. Her 1970s television appearances included The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Love Boat, The Bob Newhart Show, Happy Days, Sanford and Son, and The Partridge Family. She also delighted movie audiences in The Blues Brothers (1980), directed by John Landis and starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
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William Schallert
One of television's most dependable supporting actors, William Schallert seemed equally at home in sitcoms, science fiction, and police dramas. During the 1970s he guest-starred on The Waltons, The Bionic Woman, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Mannix, and The Streets of San Francisco. Film credits included In the Heat of the Night (1967), directed by Norman Jewison and starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger.
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Joan Blondell
One of the great stars of Warner Bros.' Golden Age, Joan Blondell enjoyed a remarkable late-career resurgence through frequent television guest appearances. During the 1970s she appeared on The Love Boat, Here's Lucy, The Six Million Dollar Man, Police Woman, The Bob Newhart Show, and Fantasy Island. Her classic film résumé included Night Nurse (1931), directed by William A. Wellman and co-starring Barbara Stanwyck and Clark Gable.
Len Lesser
Although many viewers later associated him with Uncle Leo on Seinfeld, Len Lesser had already spent decades appearing on virtually every television genre imaginable. His 1970s credits included The Rockford Files, Starsky & Hutch, The Streets of San Francisco, The Odd Couple, Mannix, and Barney Miller. Film appearances included Kelly's Heroes (1970), directed by Brian G. Hutton and starring Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, and Donald Sutherland.
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Norman Alden
Norman Alden's booming voice and imposing frame made him equally convincing as policemen, military officers, coaches, and businessmen. Throughout the decade he appeared on Emergency!, Police Woman, The Rockford Files, The Six Million Dollar Man, Wonder Woman, and Charlie's Angels. Movie fans also recognized him from The Great Race (1965), directed by Blake Edwards and starring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Natalie Wood.
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Jo Ann Pflug
Jo Ann Pflug became a familiar face through a steady stream of appearances on television dramas and comedies throughout the decade. Viewers saw her on The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Quincy, M.E., Barnaby Jones, The Fall Guy, and Charlie's Angels. Film audiences remembered her from MASH* (1970), directed by Robert Altman and starring Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, and Tom Skerritt.
John Doucette
John Doucette (left) enjoyed one of the longest careers in Hollywood, and the 1970s proved no exception. Audiences spotted him on Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, Police Story, The Streets of San Francisco, The Rockford Files, and Kung Fu. His film work included High Noon (1952), directed by Fred Zinnemann and starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly.
Robert Donner
Robert Donner frequently portrayed crusty frontiersmen, eccentric locals, and colorful villains throughout the decade. Television viewers saw him on The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, Charlie's Angels, The Incredible Hulk, The Bionic Woman, and The Rockford Files. Film audiences also enjoyed his performance in Rio Lobo (1970), directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne, Jorge Rivero, and Jennifer O'Neill.
Screenshot from Mork & Mindy, ABC (1978-1982)
Brenda Benet
Brenda Benet frequently appeared on many of television's most popular series before becoming especially well known for her daytime work. During the 1970s she guest-starred on Mannix, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Barnaby Jones, McCloud, and Love, American Style. Her striking screen presence made her a favorite choice for glamorous, mysterious, and sophisticated characters.
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John McLiam
Irish-born John McLiam brought warmth and quiet authority to dozens of television dramas. His guest appearances included Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, The Rockford Files, Police Story, The Streets of San Francisco, and Kung Fu. He also appeared in Cool Hand Luke (1967), directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring Paul Newman, George Kennedy, and Jo Van Fleet.
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George Murdock
George Murdock's commanding voice made him a natural choice for judges, admirals, politicians, and senior executives. During the 1970s he appeared on Barney Miller, The Rockford Files, Charlie's Angels, The Incredible Hulk, Wonder Woman, and Fantasy Island. His film work included The Mack (1973), directed by Michael Campus and starring Max Julien, Don Gordon, and Richard Pryor.
Screenshot from The Rockford Files, NBC (1974–1980)
Ruta Lee
With her warmth, versatility, and unmistakable charisma, Ruta Lee remained one of television's busiest guest actresses throughout the 1970s. She appeared on The Love Boat, Charlie's Angels, Police Woman, Fantasy Island, The Brady Bunch, and Here's Lucy. Earlier, she appeared in Billy Wilder's Witness for the Prosecution (1957), starring Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton, and Elsa Lanchester.
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Parley Baer
Parley Baer successfully transitioned from radio to television, becoming one of the medium's busiest character actors. During the 1970s he appeared on The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, The Dukes of Hazzard, The Rockford Files, Emergency!, and The Incredible Hulk. Movie audiences also recognized him from The Ugly Dachshund (1966), directed by Norman Tokar and starring Dean Jones and Suzanne Pleshette.
Screenshot from The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, ABC (1977-1979)
William Windom
William Windom possessed remarkable range, comfortably moving between comedy, drama, and science fiction throughout the decade. His guest appearances included Columbo, The Rockford Files, Murder, She Wrote (later), Night Gallery, Fantasy Island, and The Love Boat. Film credits included To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), directed by Robert Mulligan and starring Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, and Phillip Alford.
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Joanna Pettet
Joanna Pettet's beauty first made her a rising film star during the 1960s, but by the following decade she had become one of television's most familiar guest actresses. Throughout the 1970s she appeared on Night Gallery—including four memorable episodes—Mannix, Banacek, McCloud, Police Woman, Fantasy Island, and The Love Boat. Movie audiences also remembered her as Mata Bond in Casino Royale (1967) co-starring David Niven, Peter Sellers, Ursula Andress, Orson Welles, and Woody Allen.
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Kim Hunter
Kim Hunter was a familiar face on TV throughout the 1970s, appearing on acclaimed series including Cannon, Columbo, Ironside, The Oregon Trail, and the daytime drama The Edge of Night. She also reprised her beloved role as Dr. Zira in the Planet of the Apes film series. Movie audiences forever remembered her Oscar-winning performance as Stella Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), directed by Elia Kazan and co-starring Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, and Karl Malden.
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Ross Martin
Few actors could disappear into as many different characters as Ross Martin. Best remembered as master of disguise Artemus Gordon on The Wild Wild West, he was a familiar face through the 1970s with guest appearances on Columbo, Barnaby Jones, Hawaii Five-O, Charlie's Angels, Wonder Woman, Sanford and Son, The Love Boat, and many other popular series. Equally at ease playing sophisticated villains, comic eccentrics, and cultured gentlemen, Martin's great versatility made him one of the decade's most dependable guest stars .
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These Familiar Faces Defined Television
Many of these actors rarely appeared above a show's title, yet they became some of the most recognizable performers of the 1970s. Their professionalism, versatility, and sheer work ethic allowed them to move effortlessly from westerns to sitcoms, detective series, science fiction adventures, and family dramas. Together, they helped define an unforgettable era of television that continues to entertain audiences decades later.
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