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papermoonloveslucy · 6 months

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THE FACE IS FAMILIAR… BUT I CAN’T PLACE THE NAME!

Same Actor / Different Character ~ Part 2: “The Lucy Show"

It used to be quite common for actors to be cast in multiple roles on the same series. Not in principal parts, certainly, but in supporting and minor characters. Lucycoms were no exception. Although the world created by these shows was representative of reality, the characters who populated them often gave viewers Deja vu.

For the purposes of this discussion, we won’t include background performers (aka extras) as they were nearly always drawn from the same pool of actors. Also, those who played multiple characters need to have at least one of them identified by name.

MARY JANE CROFT

Croft (a veteran of "I Love Lucy") was introduced to viewers as Audrey Simmons in 8 episodes from episode 8 in 1962. When the show's location was changed to Los Angeles, Croft also changed - into Mary Jane Lewis, which was her legal name during her marriage to producer / director Elliott Lewis. When Vivian Vance left the cast, and Lucy failed to fill her 'second banana' spot, Croft's role became increasingly more integral to the show. The second MJ was seen in 31 episode, including the series finale.

CAROLE COOK

A protege of Ball's from the Desilu Playhouse, Cook was introduced as Thelma Green in five episodes set in Danfield. Unusually, during that time she also played Betty Jo Hanson at "Lucy's College Reunion" (1963). Perhaps the episodes were aired out of filming sequence. When the show moved West, she played socialite Mrs. Valance for three episodes, and a variety of other characters (large and small) in 11 more.

ROY ROBERTS

Roberts was best known as Bank President Mr. Cheever, a role he played in 14 episodes starting halfway through season five and including the series finale. But he first appeared as the Admiral in "Lucy and the Submarine" (1966). Roberts was likely typecast as Mr. Cheever after playing a similar role on "The Beverly Hillbillies" from 1965 to 1967.

MARY WICKES

Wickes was a great friend of Lucille Ball's. While she only made one appearance on "I Love Lucy", she was seen much more frequently on "The Lucy Show". In her first appearance she played a character named Mary Wickenhauser, Wickes' birth name. It wasn't long before she was back as Fran, one of the Danfield volunteer firefighters, in three episodes. When the series went to LA, she was Lucy's Aunt Gussie in two episodes, followed by one-offs Miss Winslow, Miss Hurlow, and Aunt Agatha. In total, she played 6 characters in 9 episodes over 6 seasons! And that's just on one series!

LUCIE ARNAZ

Before she joined the cast of "Here's Lucy" as a series regular in 1968, Lucy's daughter was given opportunities to perform on "The Lucy Show", although in small roles. In Danfield she was seen as Chris's friend Cynthia in several episodes. In LA, she played several different teenagers in five episodes.

HERB VIGRAN

Vigran started out as Dr. Jacoby, the umpire of Danfield's softball team, in two episodes. He went on to play a variety of others: a doctor, a vet, a postman, and a computer salesman that was referred to as "Mr. Vigran"!

DOROTHY KONRAD

Konrad used her own first name as a member of the Danfield Volunteer Fire Brigade in two episodes, then used her last name as one of Lucy's college alumni in another. She also played bank secretary Mrs. Hutton, and babysitter Mrs. Fletcher.

JOAN SWIFT

Swift was most often seen using her own first name as a Los Angles co-worker of Mrs. Carmichael's. She also played an airline passenger, a French maid, and characters named Laurie and Dottie.

KAREN NORRIS

Norris was seen in six episodes, each time as a different character, but all with dialogue. Her most significant role was as Babette Edwards, a woman about to have her sixth child in "Lucy and Viv Play Softball" (1963).

LEW PARKER

Parker played Joan Crawford's agent, a movie producer scouting Frankie Avalon, Phil Harris' music producer, Mr. Mooney's lawyer AND his psychiatrist! In some episodes he used his own first name, in others he used his own last name.

PARLEY BAER

Baer Started his "Lucy Show" life playing the man who sells Lucy Clementine the sheep. He went to be seen as two judges, an army colonel, and a doctor. Is it any wonder he was one of the most familiar faces on television?

KATHLEEN FREEMAN

1964 was a big year for Freeman, who appeared on "The Lucy Show" five times in four different characters. She was known by her own first name in two episodes, but also played Olga the cook, Mrs. Putnam the maid, and Mrs. Blake the nurse.

GARY MORTON

Morton was Lucille Ball's real-life husband, and also a producer on "The Lucy Show". His first role (not surprisingly) was as Lucy's boyfriend, named Gary Stewart. As a stand-up comedian, he was able to handle dialogue and was cast in three more small roles, one time using his real surname. In the end credits, he used his birth name Morton Goldaper. Speaking of Lucy's boyfriend...

KEITH ANDES

Andes had played Lucy's love interest on Broadway in Wildcat (1960), so it wasn't a reach for him to do it again on "The Lucy Show." He played Bill King on two episodes set in Danfield. In Los Angeles he was back as Lucy's love interest, but this time named Brad Collins. Collins is an airline pilot, just like Lucy's boyfriend in Danfield, Harry Connors (Dick Martin). Collins was also the surname of Viv's steady boyfriend, Eddie (Don Briggs), back in Danfield.

LOU KRUGMAN

Krugman was one of Lucille Ball's favorite performers. He was instantly recognizable as the film director coping with Lucy Ricardo and her ungainly headpiece. On "The Lucy Show" his first appearance was as a Chemistry teacher named Dr. Adrian Vance (after Vivian, of course). He played a music producer named Barney Miller (no relation to the TV detective), and finally returned to playing a film director, again coping with Lucy as she watches John Wayne film a western.

JONATHAN HOLE

Hole made his first appearance with Lucille Ball in 1966, playing a department store manager named Mr. Collins. That same year he was Mr. Haskell, a Palm Springs hotel manager where Lucy and Carol sing. Finally, he used his first name to play Jonathan Winslow, father of three rambunctious chimps babysat by Lucy.

RETA SHAW

Shaw was a popular character actress from film (Mary Poppins), stage (The Pajama Game), and television ("The Ghost and Mrs. Muir"). She was seen as 3 different characters on "The Lucy Show" starting as a girthy granny at the fairgrounds when "Lucy Misplaces $2,000" (1962). In "My Fair Lucy" (1964) she was dominating Dora Dunbar, wealthy socialite. Finally, she played Mrs. Foley, owner of a roadside stand selling maps to the stars homes when "Lucy Goes to a Hollywood Premiere" (1966).

HARVEY KORMAN

Korman is best remembered from his hilarious work on "The Carol Burnett Show", but he was also worked with Carol's mentor, Lucille Ball, playing 3 roles on "The Lucy Show." First he was Mr. Slater, manager of a day camp where "Lucy and Viv are Camp Cooks" (1964). The next year he was twitchy stockbroker Mr. Phillips. During the series' first LA episode, Korman played Major Grayson, who is in charge of a military academy.

PAUL WINCHELL

Paul Winchell was best known as a ventriloquist and the inventor of an artificial heart (seriously). In 1966 he played himself on "Here's Lucy," also showcasing some of his most famous creations. The following year he was cast as Doc Putnam, a little old man, in a two part musical episode "Main Street USA". He was barely recognizable. The role required him to sing and dance, which led to a falling out between his daughter and Lucy. She felt that Lucy was working him too hard and being exceptionally cruel.

KASEY ROGERS

Rogers is best remembered for playing Louise Tate on “Bewitched” from 1966 to 1972. For Lucy, she played Miss Cavanaugh, manager of a flight attendant training school attended by Lucy and Carol (Burnett). In the final season, she played Miss Carroll, secretary to Phil Harris.

LLOYD CORRIGAN

Corrigan appeared in two films with Lucille Ball before joining her on the small screen as Mr. Holly of Holly Cleaners on the first season of "The Lucy Show". He returned to play gentleman crook Carter Harrison (a name that when reversed is given to Gale Gordon's character on "Here's Lucy" and the unnamed proprietor of a Los Angeles Christmas Tree stand.

TED ECCLES

Teddy Eccles was the second child actor to play Arnold Mooney. When Mr. Mooney and Lucy moved to Los Angeles, their children were hardly ever discussed. So Eccles was given the roles of cadet Harold, and Barry the choirboy.

HAL SMITH

Smith was best known as Otis the drunk on "The Andy Griffith Show," filmed at Desilu. For "Lucy" he played Mr. Wilson, one of the dads on an all-dad (plus Lucy) camping trip, and tuba-toting Mr. Weber in the two episodes set on "Main Street" of Bancroft.

WILLARD WATERMAN

Former "Great Gildersleeve" on radio, Waterman played TV host Greg Gregory in “Lucy and the Plumber” (1964), followed by Tex Critter at the dude ranch in "Lucy the Rain Goddess" (1966).

DICK PATTERSON

Patterson was a Broadway performer who played the "doctor" in "Lucy and the Beauty Doctor" (1966). The "doctor" was actually a TV host for a hidden camera show. He returned seven months later to play Marty King, director of Danny Thomas’s television show.

DORIS SINGLETON

Doris had originated the role of Carolyn Appleby on "I Love Lucy". On "The Lucy Show" she first played Ruth Cosgrove in "Lucy and Art Linkletter" (1966). Her character name was the real-life name of Milton Berle's wife, who would actually appear in season five as herself! Singleton returned to the series when "Lucy Gets Her Diploma" (1967) using her own first name. Doris (the character) has very little to do with the plot. Her scene might have been originally meant for Mary Jane but reassigned to Singleton due the indisposition of Croft.

RUTA LEE

Lee made her big screen debut in MGM’s Seven Bride for Seven Brothers in 1954. She was seen in many Desilu shows, finally acting opposite Lucille Ball on “The Lucy Show” as “Lucy’s Substitute Secretary” (1967). That same year she played herself opposite the aforementioned Ruth Cosgrove-Berle!

JACKIE COOGAN

One of the first child actors in Hollywood, Coogan is best remembered as Uncle Fester on "The Addams Family." He was mentioned on "I Love Lucy," but finally meets her face to face as Lieutenant Ruggles in "Lucy and the Military Academy" (1963). Five years later he was back as Mr. Burton, manager of a drive-in hamburger stand when "Lucy Gets Involved" (1968).

JAY NOVELLO

Novello started acting with Lucy on her radio show and was also seen on "I Love Lucy." In this series he plays Mr. Bundy, candy shop owner and safe cracker , and (1963) Tony DiBello, owner of an Italian Restaurant (1964) where Lucy takes her millionaire date.

OTHERS WHO HIT A DOUBLE

Jack Benny (Harry Tuttle / Himself)

Lyle Talbot (Mr. Stanford / Howard Wilcox)

Dan Rowan (Colin Grant / Dan McGowan)

Barbara Morrison (Mrs. Walker / Mrs. Winkler)

Cliff Norton (Mr. Bentley / Ike)

Tommy Farrell (Pete Murdock / Harry)

Jack Collins (Rocky / Ernie)

Howard Caine (Harold / Paul Roney)

Byron Foulger (Fred Dunbar / Mr. Trindle)

Eddie Quillan (Mr. Vincent / Briggs)

Elliott Reid (Ross Dowd / Dr. Oscar Kurtzman)