1. Valerie Harper from Rhoda
Valerie Harper lit up The Mary Tyler Moore Show as Rhoda Morgenstern, the wisecracking, self-deprecating best friend we all wished we had. She was so magnetic that she did spin off into her own show, Rhoda, but even that only scratched the surface of what Harper could do. With her impeccable comic timing and the way she could shift from humor to heart in a blink, she easily could have headlined a variety of shows. A romantic comedy? She had the charm. A family sitcom? She had the warmth. The truth is, Harper had the star power to carry almost anything.
Her energy was relatable and electric at the same time. Viewers loved that Rhoda wasn’t perfect, that she had flaws and insecurities, yet always bounced back with humor. Harper gave depth to a character who could have been just comic relief, and that’s why people kept tuning in. While she did get her chance in the spotlight, it feels like she could have carried even more than what Rhoda allowed her. A different setup might have let her show off even broader range.
2. John Ritter from Three’s Company
John Ritter as Jack Tripper was pure lightning in a bottle. Ritter had an uncanny gift for physical comedy, channeling a little Lucille Ball mixed with his own everyman charm. His pratfalls and double takes weren’t just funny, they were endearing, making Jack one of the most beloved sitcom characters of the ’70s. But as much as Three’s Company was an ensemble, Ritter was undeniably the engine that kept it running.
Ritter could have easily carried his own show because he balanced clownish humor with genuine sweetness. Audiences rooted for him, laughed with him, and felt for him when things didn’t go his way. If he had been given a solo star vehicle—maybe a workplace comedy or a show about a single guy trying to navigate life—viewers would have gladly followed. His mix of charm and vulnerability was too rare to stay confined to one ensemble.
3. Sherman Hemsley from All in the Family
When Sherman Hemsley showed up as George Jefferson on All in the Family, he practically stole the show. His strutting confidence, razor-sharp delivery, and comic bravado made him unforgettable. While The Jeffersons eventually gave him a lead role, even on All in the Family you could sense he had more to give. Hemsley had that rare quality of making you laugh even when he was at his most over-the-top.
Audiences loved George because he was fiery yet lovable, arrogant yet oddly relatable. Hemsley knew how to play the contradictions in the character, which made him endlessly watchable. He could have led any number of shows, from another family-centered sitcom to something totally different, like a workplace comedy. His stage presence was commanding, and his timing made sure you hung on every line.
4. Cindy Williams from Laverne & Shirley
Cindy Williams often played the “straight man” to Penny Marshall’s wacky Laverne, but her comic chops shouldn’t be underestimated. As Shirley Feeney, she had a sweet innocence paired with just enough sass to make her relatable. In many ways, she was the perfect sitcom balance—warm and approachable, but never dull. While Laverne & Shirley was a true duo act, Williams could have easily stepped into a starring role herself.
Williams had a knack for physical comedy too, though it was subtler than Marshall’s slapstick. Her character’s wide-eyed reactions, goofy romantic tangles, and spirited energy could have easily anchored her own show. She had a girl-next-door quality that made audiences root for her, and in the ’70s, that was pure gold. Had she been given the chance, Williams could have turned that charm into a long-running solo hit.
5. Ted Knight from The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Ted Knight as Ted Baxter was one of television’s great comic creations. His pompous, clueless anchorman made viewers laugh week after week, but it was Knight himself who made the role shine. He had impeccable timing and wasn’t afraid to make himself look ridiculous. Still, Knight also knew how to let the audience see glimpses of humanity underneath all that bluster.
A solo series could have shown Ted Baxter bumbling through life outside the newsroom, or Knight could have led something entirely new. He had the chops for both slapstick and satire, which isn’t easy to pull off. Audiences loved to laugh at his character’s mistakes, but they also secretly rooted for him to succeed. That combination is exactly what makes a sitcom star magnetic.
6. Marla Gibbs from The Jeffersons
As Florence, the maid who always had a sharp retort, Marla Gibbs consistently stole scenes on The Jeffersons. She had a way of delivering a line that was both cutting and hilarious, and she never faded into the background no matter who she was sharing a scene with. Gibbs could turn a simple comment into a laugh-out-loud moment, which is the mark of true comic talent.
She was so good, in fact, that she did eventually get her own show, 227. But even before that, viewers could see she was capable of leading her own series. Gibbs had presence, charisma, and a natural ability to connect with audiences. If she had been given her own show sooner, there’s little doubt she would have made it a success.
7. Henry Winkler from Happy Days
Henry Winkler’s “Fonzie” was originally supposed to be a side character, but he quickly became the heart of Happy Days. With his leather jacket, cool catchphrases, and hidden sensitivity, he was the kind of character you couldn’t take your eyes off of. Winkler made sure Fonzie was never just a stereotype. He brought warmth, vulnerability, and charm to a role that could have easily been one-note.
Fonzie was so popular he practically led Happy Days, and Winkler easily could have had a spinoff all to himself. His character resonated with fans because he wasn’t just “cool,” he was also kind. Winkler’s ability to shift between swagger and sincerity showed his versatility, and it’s clear audiences would have tuned in to see him carry a show on his own. Few characters in the ’70s had that kind of staying power.
8. Bea Arthur from Maude
Bea Arthur’s commanding presence on Maude made her an undeniable star. With her booming voice, impeccable wit, and no-nonsense attitude, Arthur could dominate a scene without breaking a sweat. While Maude was technically her own show, it’s worth noting that Arthur had the skills to headline nearly anything. She had the rare ability to make serious moments funny and funny moments impactful.
Arthur wasn’t just a sitcom star, she was a force of nature. Audiences were drawn to her mix of intelligence and biting humor, and her performances always felt bigger than the role. Had she been cast in a completely different show—say, a workplace sitcom or a family comedy—there’s no doubt she would have still been the standout. Arthur was the kind of actress who could elevate any material.
9. Jimmie Walker from Good Times
As J.J. Evans on Good Times, Jimmie Walker became a household name thanks to his catchphrase “Dy-no-mite!” But beyond the catchphrase, Walker had a natural comedic energy that lit up the screen. His broad humor and animated expressions were pure fun, and he brought a level of playfulness that appealed across generations. He made every scene feel alive.
Walker’s talent could have carried his own show, whether in a family comedy or something more offbeat. He had the charisma to hold an audience’s attention and the comedic instincts to keep them laughing. While J.J. was sometimes written as comic relief, Walker’s delivery always gave the character heart. That balance is what made him so memorable, and it’s also why he could have thrived as the star of his own series.
10. Joyce DeWitt from Three’s Company
Joyce DeWitt often gets overshadowed by John Ritter and Suzanne Somers, but she was the glue that held Three’s Company together. As Janet Wood, she brought a grounded, intelligent, and caring presence to a show built on chaos and misunderstandings. She could play the straight character in one scene and deliver sharp humor in the next. Her versatility made her essential to the trio’s chemistry.
DeWitt had the right blend of warmth and wit to lead her own sitcom. A show centered around her character’s work life or personal adventures could have been a hit. She had a relatable quality that made viewers connect with her, and her comedic instincts were sharper than many gave her credit for. With the right premise, DeWitt could have easily stepped out from the ensemble and into the spotlight.
11. Jack Albertson from Chico and the Man
Jack Albertson was already a seasoned performer when he played Ed Brown on Chico and the Man. His cranky, curmudgeonly character paired perfectly with Freddie Prinze’s charm, but Albertson himself was a scene-stealer. He had a gruff exterior but a heart of gold underneath, which made him both funny and endearing. Albertson knew how to take a simple line and make it sing.
Albertson had the talent to lead a show all on his own. His knack for mixing comedy with genuine emotion was rare, and audiences were drawn to his authenticity. Whether in a family setting or a workplace comedy, he could have anchored a series. His performance proved that even a “grumpy old man” character could become someone audiences adored.
12. Linda Lavin from Alice
As Alice Hyatt, Linda Lavin was the heart of Alice. She played a single mom working at a diner, balancing humor, heart, and resilience. Lavin made Alice feel real and relatable, which was exactly why audiences loved her. She had the charisma to make viewers root for her, and the talent to make both comedic and dramatic scenes shine.
Lavin could have easily carried another show because she was that versatile. Whether in a romantic comedy or a workplace sitcom, she had the skill to connect with audiences on a deeper level. Her performance on Alice proved she could be both funny and inspiring, and that’s the kind of combination that makes a lasting sitcom star.
13. Redd Foxx from Sanford and Son
Redd Foxx as Fred Sanford was larger than life, and he was the kind of performer who could dominate a screen without even trying. His grumpy one-liners, his hilarious fake heart attacks, and his undeniable presence made him unforgettable. Foxx had a way of making even the most outrageous lines feel authentic. He wasn’t just funny, he was magnetic.
Foxx could have led any number of shows beyond Sanford and Son. His comedic instincts were unmatched, and his personality was so strong that he could have carried a series with just his charisma. Audiences tuned in for him as much as for the stories, which is the clearest sign of a true star. He had that rare quality of making viewers feel like they were in on the joke, and it’s what kept them coming back.
