Trek guest actors in maybe surprising roles

[Tim Walker]

I recently caught William Schallert in a minor part in John Houston's The Red Badge of Courage (1951).

(Despite its reputation as a would-be masterpiece altered by studio interference, I still recommend that film.)

Schallert seems to show up everywhere.

During the '50/'60s/etc. there were a number of actors who made guest appearances in many different television series.

For example, I recall a guy named Leonard Nimoy, who appeared in shows such as Bonanza, Perry Mason, Sea Hunt, Dragnet, Wagon Train, The Untouchables, Rawhide, The Twilight Zone, Daniel Boone, The Outer Limits, Gunsmoke, and Get Smart.

(Lots of Westerns back then. Consider The Virginian, Man of Violence, episode 14, season 2, in 1963-De Forest Kelley plays a doctor, and Nimoy plays his patient.)

 

[The Old Mixer]

^That's a funny coincidence...as I'm sure I mentioned a time or two upthread, Nimoy did another episode of The Virginian in which he played the deputy to Michael Ansara's sheriff! I think they were brothers too.

 

[Nerys Myk]

I'd like to see William Schallert in Agents of SHIELD as Coulson's Grandfather.

 

[telerites]

I'd like to see William Schallert in Agents of SHIELD as Coulson's Grandfather.

I think at one point Schallert was the most prolific TV actor appearing in more different TV series than any other actor (as either a regular or guest). I might be wrong but he has been in a ton. Such a long, varied career. He was even a radio actor in many OTR programs.

Out of everything, my favorite of his was as Admiral Harold Harmon Hargrade from Get Smart.

 

[Kor]

There was a Flash Gordon live TV series in 1950, but I don't think any episodes survive.

I couldn't find any information online about this.

I am familiar with the 1954 series which was filmed in Germany. Several episodes are available on DVD.

I enjoy the serials from the 30s more, though.

Kor

 

[Christopher]

^Oh, the '54 series was the one I was thinking of. I guess I misremembered.

 

[FormerLurker]

I wonder if the '30s serials might have had bigger budgets, and therefore been done better than the TV show. At least by comparison.

 

[Tim Walker]

Michael Ansara played a Techno Mage in an episode of Babylon 5.

BTW, one of the recurring characters in B5 was Bester, played by Walter Koenig. Quite a different character from Checkov.

 

[Christopher]

BTW, one of the recurring characters in B5 was Bester, played by Walter Koenig. Quite a different character from Checkov.

Koenig was fantastic as Bester. He had a very Peter Lorre-ish quality, I felt. Bester was the role that made me realize that Koenig was actually a really good actor when he didn't have a thick accent getting in the way.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Yes, Bester was a home run.

 

[ToddPence]

'LIL ABNER also had an unsold television pilot.

 

[Kor]

I don't feel like going through the whole thread, so I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this.

Michael Ansara as the sadistic villain Colonel Diego in "Guns of the Magnificent Seven." I couldn't find any good screenshots online.

Kor

 

[Forbin]

Mannix and Mako meet the marvelous Miko Mayama!

This is the second time I've seen Miko and Mako together, the first being an F-Troop episode. Not surprising, I guess.

 

[Christopher]

My, my.

 

[J.T.B.]

I know Forbin is the Mannix specialist, but I had to compare one scene of Barbara Anderson in the pilot episode with her in "Conscience."

 

[FormerLurker]

The 'Mannix' makeup and costume make her look downright dowdy. What was the nature of her character in the episode?

 

[Forbin]

The 'Mannix' makeup and costume make her look downright dowdy. What was the nature of her character in the episode?

God, I've already forgotten - to IMDB!

Enter Tami Okada
Mannix is visited by Japanese detective Tami Okada (whose first name is pronounced as if spelled "Tommy"). Searching for a missing Japanese government courier who was apparently kidnapped upon arrival in Los Angeles, Okada asks Mannix for help. Mannix agrees, escorting Okada to the Japanese Village in Buena Park, and to "Little Tokyo" -- but their investigation soon leads to suspicions that the courier's disappearance may have been staged.

I think she was the girlfriend (or maybe sister?) of the courier. She worked in the tourist village. She was basically just there to be asked if she'd heard from him, and to show up later to worry about him.

 

[J.T.B.]

The 'Mannix' makeup and costume make her look downright dowdy. What was the nature of her character in the episode?

Anderson played the kidnapped daughter of a supposedly-retired mobster. It's mostly the shot, she looked kind of goofy in that scene with the gun. She also had a shapeless "mod" dress that wasn't flattering IMO, but overall she looked fine. The shorter hair maybe makes her look a little older, but she was supposed to be younger than Lenore.

The ep also had John Colicos from TOS, as well as Lloyd Nolan and Dr. Zira herself, Kim Hunter.

 

[Forbin]

Wait, were we talking about Barbara or Miko?

 

[J.T.B.]

Wait, were we talking about Barbara or Miko?

Either way, we've covered it!