13 Actors You Forgot Were in Just About Every ’70s Show

Remember those familiar faces that kept popping up on your TV screen during the 1970s? It was truly the golden age of television, with iconic shows like M*A*S*H, The Brady Bunch, and Charlie’s Angels dominating prime time.

Behind these hit series were some incredibly versatile character actors who appeared across multiple shows, becoming the unsung heroes of ’70s television.

While their names might not have always made the marquee, their faces became as familiar as your living room furniture.

1. Richard Kiel: The Gentle Giant

Standing at a towering 7’2″, Richard Kiel’s imposing presence made him impossible to miss. You probably remember him best as the metal-toothed villain Jaws from James Bond films, but this gentle giant was everywhere in ’70s TV.

From Starsky & Hutch to The Incredible Hulk and even The Monkees, Kiel’s unique stature made him perfect for roles requiring intimidation. Despite his frightening on-screen personas, colleagues always described him as one of the kindest souls in Hollywood.

2. Scatman Crothers: The Versatile Voice

Scatman Crothers’ gravelly voice and radiant grin brightened every series he touched. A versatile artist, he balanced music, voice work, and acting with ease.

Regular on Chico and the Man, featured in Roots, and the voice of Hong Kong Phooey, Crothers’ knack for stealing scenes with brief roles was unmatched, his nickname stemming from a musical instrument, not scat singing.

3. Abe Vigoda: The Deadpan Detective

Before internet hoaxes, Abe Vigoda’s weary expression and understated wit made him a 1970s screen fixture. His soulful face spoke volumes silently. As Detective Fish in Barney Miller, he shone, yet he also graced Kojak and Hawaii Five-O.

Blending humor and heart, Vigoda was a producer’s favorite, my grandmother’s beloved “sad-looking man” sparking joy at each appearance.

4. Marion Ross: America’s Other Mom

Prior to her iconic role as Mrs. Cunningham in Happy Days, Marion Ross was television’s go-to maternal figure, her warm appeal and firm delivery evoking middle-American strength.

She graced The Love Boat, Petrocelli, and Marcus Welby, M.D., infusing each motherly role with unique quirks, showcasing her breadth without falling into stereotype.

5. Dick Gautier: The Handsome Robot

Dick Gautier’s square jaw and perfect comedic timing made him a casting director’s dream. Most remembered as Hymie the Robot from Get Smart, Gautier’s versatility let him bounce between comedy and drama effortlessly.

Throughout the ’70s, he guest-starred on Charlie’s Angels, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Wonder Woman. A true triple threat, Gautier was also a talented voice actor and illustrator.

6. Judy Strangis: The Perpetual Teenager

Though she was in her twenties during most of the ’70s, Judy Strangis had a youthful appearance that kept her playing teenagers throughout the decade. Her energetic performances and distinctive voice made her instantly recognizable across the TV landscape.

Strangis appeared in Room 222, The Partridge Family, and became a regular on Electra Woman and Dyna Girl. Beyond acting, she voiced numerous Saturday morning cartoons.

Her ability to project genuine innocence without seeming naive gave her performances an authenticity that many similar actors couldn’t match.

7. James Hong: The Character Chameleon

James Hong might hold the record for most TV appearances by any actor, with over 600 credits to his name. During the ’70s, his distinctive voice and incredible range made him television’s most recognizable Asian American actor.

From Kung Fu to Hawaii Five-O and The Bob Newhart Show, Hong played everything from wise mentors to cunning villains. What’s remarkable is how he managed to bring dignity to roles during an era when Asian representation was often problematic.

8. Della Reese: The Soulful Scene-Stealer

Before finding later fame on Touched by an Angel, Della Reese’s powerful presence and soulful voice made her a ’70s television fixture. Her background as a successful gospel and jazz singer gave her performances a musical quality even in non-singing roles.

Reese appeared on Chico and the Man, Sanford and Son, and The Mod Squad, often playing characters with wisdom beyond the main cast. Her commanding presence meant even small roles became memorable.

9. Henry Darrow: The Versatile Latino Star

Henry Darrow broke significant ground as one of the first Latino actors to achieve widespread recognition in American television. His charismatic presence and versatility made him a casting favorite throughout the decade.

After gaining fame as Manolito on The High Chaparral, Darrow appeared on Mission: Impossible, The Mod Squad, and Hawaii Five-O. What made him special was his refusal to play stereotypical roles, insisting on dignified portrayals during a time when Latino characters were often one-dimensional.

10. Kathleen Freeman: The Comedy Cornerstone

With her unmistakable voice and perfect comic timing, Kathleen Freeman elevated every show she appeared in. Her specialty was playing no-nonsense authority figures who could deliver devastating one-liners with surgical precision.

Freeman appeared on Sanford and Son, All in the Family, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, among dozens of others. Though rarely the star, she often received the biggest laughs. Her background in theater gave her performances a precision that made other actors raise their game.

11. Pat Morita: Before Mr. Miyagi

Years before waxing on and off in The Karate Kid, Pat Morita was already a television mainstay throughout the ’70s. His journey from comedy to dramatic roles showcased a range few actors of any background could match.

Morita appeared as Arnold on Happy Days, guested on M*A*S*H, and showed up in Sanford and Son. What made his career remarkable was how he navigated between comedic stereotypes early on to increasingly nuanced roles later.

12. Nancy Kulp: The Scholarly Spinster

After finding fame as Miss Jane Hathaway on The Beverly Hillbillies, Nancy Kulp continued her reign as television’s favorite intellectual spinster throughout the ’70s. Her distinctive voice and impeccable diction made her instantly recognizable.

Kulp appeared on Sanford and Son, The Love Boat, and The Bob Newhart Show. What made her special wasn’t just her comic timing but her ability to convey dignity in often ridiculous situations.

Behind her prim characters was an accomplished woman with a master’s degree in English who served as a lieutenant in the Navy during WWII.

13. Shirley Hemphill: The Sharp-Tongued Waitress

Before landing her regular role as the witty waitress on What’s Happening!!, Shirley Hemphill was already making waves with her guest appearances across ’70s television. Her perfect comedic timing and distinctive voice made even small roles memorable.

Hemphill appeared on Good Times, The Love Boat, and numerous variety shows of the era. What made her special was her background as a stand-up comedian, bringing authentic humor to roles that might otherwise have been forgettable.