It’s common for actors to become famous for a memorable TV role, and a lucky few are known for playing two. Great TV shows often feature characters that launch an actor’s career or further boost the popularity of those already well-known.
Many actors appear in various TV shows, but few create truly unforgettable roles. However, some have successfully played multiple outstanding characters – often very different from one another – and they may continue to add to those impressive performances in the years to come.
Teri Hatcher
Lois & Clark, Desperate Housewives
Before starring in Desperate Housewives, Teri Hatcher gained fame playing Lois Lane in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Alongside Dean Cain as Superman, she created one of the most beloved couples on television, with the show focusing on both their romance and Superman’s adventures as a hero.
Teri Hatcher first gained attention for her role as Lois Lane, but her career really took off when she landed the part of Susan Mayer Delfino on Desperate Housewives. The show was a huge hit, both with critics and audiences, becoming one of the most popular dramas of the 2000s. Hatcher’s ability to skillfully blend humor and emotional depth in her performance earned her numerous award nominations, including wins at the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Ed O’Neill
Married… with Children, Modern Family
Ed O’Neill is known for two famous TV roles that both center around family, but in different ways. He first played Al Bundy in the sitcom Married… with Children from 1987 to 1997. Al was a somewhat grumpy, working-class dad who, despite often seeming annoyed with his family, always came through for them when they really needed him.
Ed O’Neill later became famous for his role as Jay Pritchett on Modern Family. Jay was married to Gloria (played by Sofía Vergara) and was a stepfather to Manny, as well as the father of Claire, Mitchell, and Joe. As the family’s wealthiest member – he owned a closet business – Jay was known for his witty, sarcastic sense of humor, though he also had a tender side.
Noah Wyle
ER, The Pitt
As a longtime TV watcher, I’ve seen Noah Wyle pop up in a lot of different shows over the years, but he’ll always be known for his work in medical dramas. He really hit it big in 1994 with ER, playing the character John Carter. I remember watching Carter grow from a medical student just starting out to a fully-fledged doctor, and he quickly became one of my favorite characters on the show.
Noah Wyle is back in the medical world with his new show, The Pitt, created by R. Scott Gemmill. He plays Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, a seasoned doctor dealing with the emotional aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. While Robby is a more complex and intense character than Wyle’s previous role as Carter, both characters allow his engaging personality to shine through.
Jeremy Allen White
Shameless, The Bear
Image via Hulu
Jeremy Allen White became well-known in 2011 when he started playing Lip Gallagher on the show Shameless. Over the show’s 11 seasons, Lip, the intelligent second-oldest Gallagher sibling, faced many challenges, including a lack of educational opportunities and having to act as a parent alongside his sister, Fiona.
I was so excited to see Jeremy Allen White move on from Shameless! It was cool to see him trade the crazy Gallagher family for the high-pressure world of a restaurant, still in Chicago, in the show The Bear. He plays Carmy Berzatto, a really talented chef who’s trying to turn his late brother’s place around. Honestly, The Bear has been amazing for showing off his acting range – he’s fantastic at both the dramatic and the funny, often in really quiet, subtle ways.
Kristen Bell
Veronica Mars, The Good Place
Kristen Bell first became well-known for her role in the TV show Veronica Mars. She played Veronica, a smart high school student who secretly solves crimes as a private investigator in Southern California. The show was very popular and even came back after being cancelled – a movie was released in 2014, and a new season aired in 2019.
In 2016, Kristen Bell landed another defining television role, joining the cast of The Good Place as Eleanor Shellstrop. Her character underwent one of the most compelling transformations of the decade, all while maintaining her core personality and comedic timing, and the show ultimately delivered a finale that was both deeply moving and beautifully written.
Ted Danson
Cheers, The Good Place
Kristen Bell wasn’t the only star on The Good Place who had previously played a famous character. Ted Danson was also known for a hugely popular role before the show. Years earlier, he starred in the classic sitcom Cheers as Sam Malone, a bartender who owned the bar. Cheers is considered one of the greatest sitcoms ever made, and it launched Danson’s career.
Years later, Danson landed the role of Michael in The Good Place. Michael was in charge of designing the afterlife for people after they died. He’s central to the show’s major plot twist in season one, and undergoes a fascinating transformation afterward.
Alyson Hannigan
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, How I Met Your Mother
Alyson Hannigan is known for playing very different characters on television. She first became famous as Willow on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Buffy’s close friend who learns to use magic. Willow begins as a quiet and awkward character, but grows into a confident and powerful witch while still maintaining her kind personality.
Shortly after Buffy the Vampire Slayer ended, Alyson Hannigan landed the role of Lily Aldrin in How I Met Your Mother. Lily is the fiancée and eventual wife of Ted’s best friend, Marshall. While both Lily and her previous character, Willow, are supportive and funny friends, Lily is portrayed as more mature and leans more into comedic moments.
Milo Ventimiglia
Gilmore Girls, This Is Us
Milo Ventimiglia is known for playing characters who evoke strong emotions. He first gained attention as Jess Mariano on Gilmore Girls, a troubled and charming young man who briefly dated Rory. While he left the show after its third season, he later returned for the 2016 revival. He then went on to break viewers’ hearts as a central figure in This Is Us.
Milo Ventimiglia became known for his role as Jack Pearson in the TV drama This Is Us, which premiered in 2016. Jack was married to Rebecca (played by Mandy Moore) and was the father of their three children: Kate, Kevin, and Randall. While Ventimiglia’s earlier character, Jess Mariano from Gilmore Girls, grew and learned from his errors, Jack Pearson’s story on This Is Us ended tragically, deeply affecting viewers.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Seinfeld, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Veep
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is known for three memorable television roles. She first gained fame playing Elaine Benes on Seinfeld, the ex-girlfriend of Jerry who remains friends with him, George, and Kramer. This role earned her numerous awards and established Elaine as a beloved and iconic sitcom character.
Later in her career, Louis-Dreyfus played the main role in the sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine, where she portrayed a single woman juggling work and her personal life. Most recently, she starred in the comedy series Veep, playing Selina Meyer, a fictional Vice President of the United States.
Bryan Cranston
Malcolm in the Middle, Breaking Bad
Image made by Yeider Chacon
Bryan Cranston first became famous for his role in the popular 2000s sitcom, Malcolm in the Middle. He played Hal, the father of Frances, Reese, Malcolm, Dewey, and Jamie, and husband to Lois. While Hal loved his family and always tried to do what was best, he wasn’t always the most responsible or mature parent and often relied on his wife, Lois, for guidance.
Soon after Malcolm in the Middle finished, Bryan Cranston took on a very different character with his role as Walter White in Breaking Bad. White was a high school chemistry teacher who started making methamphetamine after receiving a cancer diagnosis, hoping to provide for his family. By portraying two incredibly distinct fathers, Cranston cemented his place in television history.
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2025-11-11 03:51