Before the age of binge-watching and streaming services, television was a weekly ritual that brought families together around the living room console. The 1970s gave us some of television’s most iconic shows, from “MAS*H” to “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” to “Charlie’s Angels.” But beyond the marquee stars were those remarkable character actors who showed up everywhere—the familiar faces who appeared in show after show, sometimes for just a single episode, other times as semi-regulars who became part of the extended family. These were the actors who made the ’70s TV landscape feel like one interconnected universe long before crossovers became a marketing strategy.
1. William Schallert
If there was a kindly doctor, understanding father, or authority figure needed in a ’70s TV show, William Schallert was likely on the casting director’s speed dial. Although he gained fame in the ’60s as Patty Duke’s father on “The Patty Duke Show,” Schallert became the quintessential “that guy” throughout the ’70s. He appeared in episodes of “The Waltons,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “Hawaii Five-O,” “The Bionic Woman,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” and countless others. TV Insider puts into perspective just how extensive his filmography grew to be.
His gentle demeanor and reassuring presence made him perfect for roles requiring wisdom and compassion, yet he could play stern when needed. Schallert’s incredible work ethic kept him consistently employed across four decades, with his ’70s appearances forming the backbone of a career that included over 350 film and television credits. When you spot him in reruns today, it’s like seeing an old friend—even if you can never quite remember his name.
2. Teri Garr
Before her breakout role in the 1982 film “Tootsie,” Teri Garr was the go-to guest actress for practically every major ’70s television series. With her girl-next-door charm and impeccable comic timing, she brightened episodes of “M*A*S*H,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” “McCloud,” “Barnaby Jones,” “Kolchak: The Night Stalker,” and even “Star Trek” (technically late ’60s, but who’s counting?). Her appearances were so numerous that television seemed to have an unwritten rule: if your show ran long enough, Teri Garr would eventually guest star. Rolling Stone classifies Garr as a comedian of exceptional talent.
What made Garr special was her ability to play both comedic and dramatic roles with equal skill, making her a versatile addition to any cast. Whether portraying a quirky neighbor, a damsel in distress, or a professional woman, she brought an authenticity that elevated even mediocre scripts. Though she would later gain well-deserved recognition in film, ’70s television was where she honed her craft, becoming one of the hardest-working actors in the business before most of America even knew her name.
3. Dick Gautier
Best known as Hymie the Robot from “Get Smart,” Dick Gautier parlayed his square-jawed good looks and impeccable comic timing into a career as one of the most reliable guest stars of ’70s television. With his distinctive voice and ability to play both straight man and comedian, Gautier appeared in “Charlie’s Angels,” “Wonder Woman,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Barnaby Jones,” and virtually every sitcom worth its laugh track. His recurring role as Robin Hood in Mel Brooks’ short-lived series “When Things Were Rotten” showcased his swashbuckling charm. Television Academy notes Gautier had equal talent as a comedian and an actor.
Gautier was also a regular on game shows like “Tattletales” and “Match Game,” bringing his quick wit to daytime television and making him one of the most recognizable faces of the decade. Beyond acting, he was an accomplished cartoonist and author, but for ’70s TV audiences, he’ll always be remembered as the man who could show up on any show and immediately feel like he belonged there. Watching reruns today, you’ll be amazed at how often his name appears in the credits.
4. Mariette Hartley
Mariette Hartley may be best remembered for her Polaroid commercials with James Garner (where their chemistry was so natural that many viewers thought they were actually married), but throughout the ’70s, she was also one of television’s most prolific guest stars. With striking looks and formidable acting chops, Hartley appeared in “Columbo,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “MAS*H,” “The Rockford Files,” and “Emergency!” among countless others. Her Emmy-winning turn on “The Incredible Hulk” as Dr. David Banner’s ill-fated wife remains one of the most heartbreaking performances in superhero television.
Hartley possessed that rare ability to adapt to any genre, whether playing a murder suspect in crime dramas, a frontier woman in westerns, or a scientist in science fiction shows. Her intelligence always shone through, making her characters feel three-dimensional even in limited screen time. While never becoming a household name as a series regular, Hartley’s guest appearances were often the most memorable parts of any episode she graced, earning her the respect of colleagues and a loyal following among attentive viewers.
5. James Cromwell
Long before his Oscar nomination for “Babe” or his role as Dr. Zefram Cochrane in “Star Trek: First Contact,” James Cromwell was cutting his teeth as a character actor on countless ’70s television shows. His towering 6’7″ frame made him impossible to miss in episodes of “All in the Family,” “MAS*H,” “The Rockford Files,” “Barney Miller,” “Kojak,” and many more. Often playing quirky characters or gentle giants, Cromwell brought a distinctive presence to every role, no matter how small.
What’s remarkable about Cromwell’s ’70s television work is the range he displayed, from comedy to intense drama, laying the groundwork for the acclaimed character actor he would become. Most viewers today wouldn’t recognize the younger Cromwell in these early roles, making it all the more delightful when he appears while rewatching classic shows. His journey from ubiquitous guest star to respected film actor demonstrates how these television appearances served as a crucial training ground for talent that would fully blossom in later decades.
6. Shelley Morrison
Before finding fame as Rosario on “Will & Grace,” Shelley Morrison was a fixture on ’70s television, bringing diversity to the small screen at a time when opportunities for Latina actresses were limited. Most memorably, she played Sister Sixto on “The Flying Nun,” but throughout the ’70s, she appeared on “The Partridge Family,” “Gunsmoke,” “The Bionic Woman,” “Police Woman,” “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century,” and numerous other shows that needed a character with spirit and sass. Her ability to convey volumes with just a glance made her a director’s dream.
Morrison often found herself typecast in maid roles, but she brought such dignity and dimension to these characters that they frequently stole scenes from the stars. Her work ethic was legendary—if there was a show filming in Los Angeles in the ’70s, chances are Morrison walked onto that set at some point. While casual viewers might not have known her name, her familiar face provided a welcome continuity across the television landscape, creating a through-line between wildly different shows and genres.
7. Robert Pine
While younger audiences might know him as Chris Pine’s father, Robert Pine was omnipresent on ’70s television, most notably as Sergeant Joseph Getraer on “CHiPs.” But beyond his highway patrol duties, Pine guest-starred on virtually every action and drama series of the decade, including “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “Barnaby Jones,” “S.W.A.T.,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “The Love Boat,” and “Wonder Woman.” His all-American good looks and reliable presence made him perfect as both authority figures and ordinary guys caught in extraordinary circumstances.
Pine had the versatility to move between dramas and sitcoms with ease, appearing on “Three’s Company” just as convincingly as on “Gunsmoke.” His consistency and professionalism kept him constantly employed, making him one of the decade’s most dependable character actors. While never achieving superstardom, Pine’s steady career exemplifies the working actor who becomes an essential part of television’s fabric—someone whose face you recognize instantly, even if you can’t quite place the name or where you’ve seen him before.
8. Kathleen Nolan
As the first female president of the Screen Actors Guild, Kathleen Nolan was breaking barriers behind the scenes, but to television audiences, she was the quintessential guest star who could play everything from a frontier woman to a modern mother. After her starring role as Wendy in “Peter Pan,” Nolan became a television mainstay, appearing on “Gunsmoke,” “Emergency!,” “Columbo,” “The Love Boat,” “Charlie’s Angels,” and dozens more shows throughout the decade. Her warm presence and versatility made her casting directors’ favorite when they needed a woman who could convey both strength and vulnerability.
Nolan’s appearances were so frequent that she became a sort of television comfort food—the actress whose face signaled quality and reliability. Whether playing a victim, a villain, or something in between, she brought an authenticity that elevated even pedestrian scripts. Her advocacy for actors’ rights behind the scenes added another dimension to her legacy, making her not just a ubiquitous presence on ’70s television but also a force for positive change in the industry that employed her so consistently.
9. M. Emmet Walsh
With his distinctive voice and hangdog expression, M. Emmet Walsh brought instant character to every ’70s TV show lucky enough to book him. Before becoming a celebrated character actor in films like “Blood Simple” and “Blade Runner,” Walsh was seemingly everywhere on television, appearing in “The Rockford Files,” “Starsky and Hutch,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Columbo,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” and many others. Often cast as cops, security guards, or working-class characters with a story to tell, Walsh could make even a one-scene role memorable through sheer force of personality.
His ability to play both threatening and sympathetic, sometimes simultaneously, made Walsh perfect for morally ambiguous roles that added complexity to procedural formulas. While never the star, he often delivered the most quotable lines or created the most intriguing characters in his limited screen time. Walsh’s distinctive look and voice ensured that even viewers who didn’t know his name would point at the screen and say, “It’s that guy again!”—the highest compliment a character actor can receive.
10. Veronica Hamel
Before she became a star on “Hill Street Blues” in the 1980s, Veronica Hamel was quietly building an impressive resume as a guest star on countless ’70s television shows. Her sophisticated beauty and intelligence made her perfect for roles as professionals and love interests on shows like “Kojak,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” “The Rockford Files,” “Starsky and Hutch,” and “Switch.” While she began the decade as a model, Hamel quickly proved she had the acting chops to stand out in dramatic roles.
What made Hamel’s guest appearances special was her ability to create fully realized characters in limited screen time—women with their own motivations and inner lives rather than plot devices. Her cool demeanor and underlying vulnerability gave depth to roles that might have been forgettable in less capable hands. For attentive viewers of ’70s television, watching Hamel’s progression from bit parts to substantial guest roles provided a master class in an actor developing their craft before finally finding the perfect showcase for their talents.
11. Dick O’Neill
With his gruff voice and imposing presence, Dick O’Neill was the go-to actor when ’70s television needed someone to play a tough boss, irritable father, or cynical official. After appearing as a regular on the soap opera “The Edge of Night,” O’Neill guest-starred on “Barnaby Jones,” “Columbo,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “Wonder Woman,” and virtually every crime drama and action show of the decade. His crusty exterior often hid a heart of gold, making him perfect for characters who started as antagonists but revealed their decency by the final act.
O’Neill brought authenticity to blue-collar and authority figures alike, his distinctive New York accent and no-nonsense delivery making him instantly recognizable across dozens of shows. Later audiences would know him as Cagney’s father on “Cagney & Lacey,” but throughout the ’70s, he was everywhere, often playing characters remarkably similar to one another yet somehow always feeling fresh. His reliability made him a producer’s dream—an actor who could be counted on to deliver exactly what a role needed without unnecessary drama behind the scenes.
12. Anne Ramsey
Before her Oscar-nominated turn as Mama Fratelli in “The Goonies” and her memorable role in “Throw Momma from the Train,” Anne Ramsey was building a career as one of the ’70s most distinctive character actresses. Her raspy voice and unique appearance made her perfect for roles as landlords, neighbors, and eccentric relatives on shows including “Wonder Woman,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “Laverne & Shirley,” “All in the Family,” and “Starsky and Hutch.” Though often in small roles, Ramsey brought such specificity to her characters that she was impossible to forget.
What made Ramsey special was her fearlessness—she never shied away from playing difficult, unpleasant, or physically unattractive characters at a time when television generally preferred conventional beauty. Her willingness to be vulnerable and authentic on screen paved the way for her later success, though few watching her brief appearances on ’70s television could have predicted she would one day receive Academy Award recognition. Ramsey’s journey reminds us that those ubiquitous character actors whom we take for granted are often extraordinary talents waiting for the right role to showcase their unique gifts.
The ’70s were a golden age for character actors—a time when familiar faces could build entire careers moving from show to show, becoming as much a part of the viewing experience as the stars themselves. These twelve performers represent just a fraction of the talented individuals who populated the television landscape of the decade, creating a sense of continuity and comfort for audiences. When we revisit these shows today, spotting these actors becomes a delightful game of recognition, connecting disparate programs through the common thread of their remarkable talents. In an era before “peak TV” and celebrity obsession, these were the true workhorses of the industry—professionals who showed up, delivered the goods, and moved on to the next set, leaving an indelible mark on television history in the process.
