1. Don Knotts
Don Knotts made a career out of being the lovable bundle of nerves. As Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show, he was constantly fumbling his way through law enforcement, but always with good intentions. Audiences adored his nervous energy and impeccable comedic timing. He was so good that he won multiple Emmys for the role, proving just how much people connected with him.
It’s surprising that Knotts didn’t get his own sitcom in the ’60s, because his personality was practically made for it. He had the ability to carry a show with his bumbling charm, much like what he later did with The Ghost and Mr. Chicken and other comedies. A weekly series built around his antics could have been an instant hit, giving him more room to shine as the main attraction.
2. Ann B. Davis
Ann B. Davis is best remembered today as Alice on The Brady Bunch, but in the ’60s she was already a TV staple. Before joining the Brady household, she was known for her work on The Bob Cummings Show, where she won two Emmys. She had a knack for delivering dry humor with just the right touch of warmth.
Given her comedic skill, Davis could have easily fronted her own sitcom in the ’60s. A show centered around her as a witty single woman making her way in the world might have been both funny and groundbreaking. Instead, she found her niche in ensemble casts, but she definitely had the charisma to lead.
3. Bob Denver
Bob Denver will always be Gilligan, the goofy first mate on Gilligan’s Island. But before that, he was already popular as beatnik Maynard G. Krebs on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. He had an incredible gift for physical comedy and for creating characters who felt larger than life.
Denver’s popularity on not one but two sitcoms shows he had what it took to carry a series on his own. Imagine a sitcom built entirely around his Maynard character, navigating life in the ’60s with his quirky outlook. Audiences clearly loved him, and he had the range to make a solo show work.
4. Marlo Thomas
Marlo Thomas became a star in the late ’60s with That Girl, but it’s easy to see how she could have led a show even earlier. She had charm, intelligence, and a playful spark that made her relatable to audiences. Her style and sense of humor made her a perfect fit for the evolving culture of the time.
While she did eventually headline her own show, she could have been tapped earlier in the decade to anchor a sitcom about a young woman balancing career and love. She embodied the modern woman of the ’60s, and television audiences would have followed her wherever she went.
5. Morey Amsterdam
On The Dick Van Dyke Show, Morey Amsterdam played Buddy Sorrell, the wisecracking comedy writer who always had a one-liner ready. His sharp wit and impeccable timing made him a scene-stealer every time he appeared. He had the quick-fire energy that could have easily anchored his own comedy.
A sitcom centered on Amsterdam, perhaps as a fast-talking manager or a struggling comedian trying to make it big, would have fit perfectly into the ’60s television lineup. He had the skill to keep viewers laughing week after week, and it’s a wonder no one built a show just for him.
6. Mary Ann Mobley
Mary Ann Mobley, a former Miss America, was a frequent guest star on sitcoms throughout the ’60s. She appeared on shows like Perry Mason, Burke’s Law, and even The Man from U.N.C.L.E., showing off both her acting chops and her natural charisma. She had the kind of screen presence that made you want to see more of her.
A sitcom featuring Mobley as a glamorous yet down-to-earth leading lady could have been a natural fit. Whether she played a single woman navigating city life or a quirky wife in a suburban setting, she had the appeal to carry her own show. Instead, she floated between roles, but the potential was obvious.
7. Jim Nabors
Jim Nabors broke out as Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show, with his wide-eyed innocence and unforgettable catchphrases. He became so popular that he eventually got a spinoff with Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., but it’s worth noting that he was always capable of leading a sitcom from the start. His voice, both speaking and singing, made him stand out.
Nabors had that rare mix of comedy and heart that endeared him to audiences. A show focused solely on his character’s everyday adventures could have worked even without the Marine angle. He had star quality written all over him, and his later success proved it.
8. Imogene Coca
Imogene Coca was already a TV pioneer by the time the ’60s rolled around. Known for her work with Sid Caesar on Your Show of Shows, she had decades of comedic experience. Her talent for physical comedy and her expressive face made her unforgettable.
Though she appeared on various series, she never truly got a long-running sitcom of her own in the ’60s. A show built around her eccentric humor and offbeat characters would have been perfect for the era. She had the ability to create laughs from the smallest gestures, and audiences adored her.
9. Werner Klemperer
As Colonel Klink on Hogan’s Heroes, Werner Klemperer turned what could have been a one-note role into a comedic masterpiece. His pompous, bumbling officer was one of the funniest parts of the show. He was a master of delivering lines with just the right mix of arrogance and cluelessness.
Klemperer could have easily headlined his own sitcom as a pompous character constantly getting outsmarted. He had a knack for balancing authority with humor, which made him appealing even when he played the fool. A solo series would have given him even more room to shine.
10. Yvonne Craig
Yvonne Craig is best remembered as Batgirl on Batman and for guest spots on various sitcoms and dramas. She had an undeniable charm and a spunky personality that stood out in every role. Whether she was playing a love interest or a quirky guest star, she brought energy to the screen.
It’s easy to imagine Craig leading her own sitcom in the ’60s, perhaps as an independent woman trying to balance her career with her personal life. She had both comedic timing and charisma, which made her a natural fit for television stardom. While she never got her own series, she certainly had the talent to do so.
11. Bob Crane
Bob Crane became a household name thanks to Hogan’s Heroes, where he played the clever and charming Colonel Hogan. His quick wit and natural charisma made him a standout leader on screen. Crane had a unique way of balancing humor with authority, making him both funny and likable.
A sitcom built entirely around him outside of the POW camp setting could have been a huge success. He had the personality to carry storylines as a family man, a bachelor, or even a workplace boss. Crane had leading-man appeal, and it’s surprising he didn’t get a separate vehicle during the ’60s.
12. Barbara Feldon
Barbara Feldon was unforgettable as Agent 99 on Get Smart. She was smart, stylish, and every bit as funny as Don Adams in their spy capers. Feldon brought a sense of sophistication to comedy, which made her stand out in a male-dominated TV landscape.
She could have easily carried her own show, perhaps as a witty working woman or even in a spy spoof centered on her character. Feldon had a rare mix of beauty and brains, and audiences loved her for it. A solo sitcom would have been a perfect showcase for her talents.
