Jack Riley

Born: 1935-12-30

John Albert Riley Jr. (December 30, 1935 – August 19, 2016) was an American actor, comedian and writer. He was known for playing Elliot Carlin, a chronic psychology client of the main character on The Bob Newhart Show, and for voicing Stu Pickles, one of the parents in the animated Rugrats franchise. Riley was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Agnes C. Riley (née Corrigan) and John Albert Riley. After attending Saint Ignatius High School and John Carroll University, he served in the U.S. Army. After being discharged, Riley became a popular radio personality in Cleveland, along with his radio partner and "straight man" Jeff Baxter; The Baxter & Riley Show on WERE (1300 AM) featured not only music but comedy sketches and a slew of offbeat characters that Riley and Baxter voiced. Riley gave up the radio show in the mid-1960s and moved to Los Angeles, where his Cleveland friend Tim Conway helped him obtain work writing comedy sketches, which later led to acting opportunities. First a semi-regular in the cast of the 1960s sitcom Occasional Wife, a short-lived show on NBC in which he played Wally Frick, Riley was perhaps most famous for playing Elliot Carlin, the neurotic, sour, and selfish patient on The Bob Newhart Show 1972–1978. In 1973, he was cast as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family Fun-House, then in 1979, he starred in ABC's holiday telefilm The Halloween That Almost Wasn't (a.k.a. The Night Dracula Saved The World) as Warren the Werewolf (Wolf Man) of Budapest. Riley then, in 1980, appeared in a comedy special for HBO called The Wild Wacky Wonderful World of Winter. He was a regular cast member in The Tim Conway Show, a comedy-variety show that aired on CBS from March 1980 through late summer 1981, acting in sketch comedy in each episode. In 1985, he reprised his Bob Newhart Show role of Elliot Carlin on St. Elsewhere, and did so again in a 1987 episode of ALF. Among his other TV credits are multiple appearances on such shows as Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (parodying Lyndon Johnson), M*A*S*H, Barney Miller, Hogan's Heroes, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, One Day at a Time, Gomer Pyle, Diff'rent Strokes, and Night Court. He was also a favorite of Mel Brooks, appearing in several of his films: High Anxiety (1977), History of the World: Part I (1981), To Be or Not to Be (1983), and (cameo only) Spaceballs (1987). Riley often provided voiceovers for television and radio commercials, most notably in spots for Country Crock margarine. He also voiced the character "P.C. Modem, the computer genius" in radio commercials for CompUSA that aired in the 1990s. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Riley was known for voicing Stu Pickles (father of the main protagonist Tommy) in the animated series Rugrats. The franchise consisted of the TV series, the spin-off All Grown Up! and the film trilogy. He continued to make guest appearances during the 1990s in popular sitcoms, showing up in episodes of Seinfeld, Son of the Beach, Friends, Coach, The Drew Carey Show, That '70s Show, and, in a gag appearance, as an unnamed but obvious Mr. Carlin in a 1988 episode of Newhart. He made a cameo appearance on the November 23, 2013, episode of Saturday Night Live, as a subway passenger during the sketch "Matchbox 3". That episode would be his final acting role.


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Catch-22

as Doctor
Released: 1970-06-24

A bombardier in World War II tries desperately to escape the insanity of the war. However,...

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as Lawyer
Released: 1997-10-10

Set in 1977, back when sex was safe, pleasure was a business and business was booming,...

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Don't See
as TV Newsman
Released: 1987-06-24

When the nefarious Dark Helmet hatches a plan to snatch Princess Vespa and steal her planet's...

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See!

History of the World: Part I

as Stoned Soldier #2 - The Roman Empire
Released: 1981-06-12

An uproarious version of history that proves nothing is sacred – not even the Roman Empire, the...

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Rugrats Go Wild

as Stuart 'Stu' Pickles (voice)
Released: 2003-06-13

When the Rugrats find themselves stranded on a deserted island, they meet the Thornberrys, a...

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The Player

as Jack Riley
Released: 1992-04-03

A Hollywood studio executive is being sent death threats by a writer whose script he rejected -...

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The Rugrats Movie

as Stuart 'Stu' Pickles (voice)
Released: 1998-11-20

Based on the popular Nickelodeon TV series Rugrats, this is the first full-length feature...

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Rugrats in Paris: The Movie

as Stu Pickles (voice)
Released: 2000-11-17

A group of rambunctious toddlers travel a trip to Paris. As they journey from the Eiffel Tower...

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Night Patrol

as Doctor Ziegler
Released: 1984-11-16

Melvin White, a neurotic, accident-prone cop who gets demoted to the night shift, secretly...

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California Split

as Second Bartender
Released: 1974-08-07

Carefree single guy Charlie Waters rooms with two lovely prostitutes, Barbara Miller and Susan...

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Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!

as Salesman
Released: 1978-10-01

After a wave of reports of mysterious attacks involving people and pets being eaten by the...

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High Anxiety

as The Desk Clerk
Released: 1977-12-25

A psychiatrist with intense acrophobia (fear of heights) goes to work for a mental institution...

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The Long Goodbye

as Riley
Released: 1973-03-08

In 1970s Hollywood, Detective Philip Marlowe tries to help a friend who is accused of murdering...

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McCabe & Mrs. Miller

as Riley Quinn
Released: 1971-06-24

A gambler and a prostitute become business partners in a remote Old West mining town, and their...

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To Be or Not to Be

as Dobish
Released: 1983-12-16

A bad Polish actor is just trying to make a living when Poland is invaded by the Germans in...

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Days of Wine and Roses

as Waiter (uncredited)
Released: 1963-02-04

An alcoholic falls in love with and gets married to a young woman, whom he systematically...

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Silent Movie

as Executive
Released: 1976-06-17

Aspiring filmmakers Mel Funn, Marty Eggs and Dom Bell go to a financially troubled studio with...

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Gleaming the Cube

as Homeowner
Released: 1989-01-13

An Orange County teenager's carefree life of ditching class and skateboarding abandoned pools...

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Room 6

as James Brewster
Released: 2006-06-13

A schoolteacher with a phobia of hospitals finds herself searching for her boyfriend inside one...

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Frances

as Bob Barnes
Released: 1982-12-03

The true story of Frances Farmer's meteoric rise to fame in Hollywood and the tragic turn her...

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Chairman of the Board

as Condom Boss
Released: 1998-03-13

Surfer Edison isn't able to make ends meet with his inventions or his lifestyle. But then he...

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Theodore Rex

as Alaric
Released: 1995-12-14

In an alternate futuristic society, a tough female police detective is paired with a talking...

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C.H.U.D. II: Bud the Chud

as Wade
Released: 1989-05-05

A military experiment to create a race of super-warriors goes awry, as legions of murderous...

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Butch and Sundance: The Early Days

as Messenger
Released: 1979-06-15

Before the adventures that made them legends, they were charming mastermind Robert Leroy Parker,...

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Rugrats: All Growed Up

as Stu Pickles (voice)
Released: 2001-07-21

Will Tommy still be the gang's fearless leader? Will Chuckie survive his first "crush"? Will...

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The World's Greatest Lover

as Projectionist
Released: 1977-12-18

When frustrated movie studio mogul Adolph Zitz announces a talent search for a romantic leading...

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A Dangerous Woman

as Bandleader
Released: 1993-09-10

Martha Horgan is a withdrawn, mentally disabled woman who lives with her aunt, Frances. One of...

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The Bank Shot

as Agent Jackson
Released: 1974-07-31

A bank temporarily housed in a mobile home while a new building is built, looks like an easy...

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The Bank Shot

as Jackson
Released: 1974-07-31

A bank temporarily housed in a mobile home while a new building is built, looks like an easy...

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Avenging Angel

as Elder
Released: 2007-07-07

A preacher becomes a bounty hunter after a group of refugees seeking shelter in his church is...

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The History of White People in America: Volume II

as Scientist
Released: 1986-01-01

In this daring follow-up to The History of White People in America, comedian Martin Mull takes...

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The History of White People in America

as Scientist
Released: 1985-06-04

In this parody of documentaries, host Martin Mull discusses the contributions that white people...

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Christmas Eve on Sesame Street

as Citizen (uncredited)
Released: 1978-12-03

Big Bird worries when Oscar tells him that if Santa Claus can't fit down the chimney on...

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In Broad Daylight

as Cab Driver #3 (uncredited)
Released: 1971-10-16

A newly blind actor discovers his wife is cheating on him with his best friend and hatches a...

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A Rugrats Passover

as Stu Pickles (voice)
Released: 1994-05-29

The plot follows series regulars Grandpa Boris and the babies as they become trapped in the...

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Rugrats: Tales from the Crib: Snow White

as Stu (voice)
Released: 2005-09-09

Snow White enlists the help of her petite pals to go up against a vain queen, a role attacked...

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The Halloween That Almost Wasn't

as Wolf Man
Released: 1979-10-28

Upset by rumors that Halloween may end, Dracula calls his mild-mannered monsters together and...

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A Rugrats Chanukah

as Stu Pickles (voice)
Released: 1996-12-04

The story of the Jewish holiday Chanukah through the eyes of the Rugrats, who imagine themselves...

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The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers

as Sexton / Deacon
Released: 1984-09-17

An intelligent, fearless boy living in a superstitious Transylvanian village goes out into the...

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Lots of Luck

as Marvin
Released: 1985-02-03

A middle-aged Annette Funicello stars in this made-for-Disney film about a blue-collar family...

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Marriage Is Alive and Well

as Owen
Released: 1980-01-25

A talented wedding photographer, at a crossroads with his own marriage, reflects on tales of...

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Rented Lips

as Herb the Auditor
Released: 1987-10-28

A documentary filmmaker, who has spent the last 15 years making films like "Aluminum: Our Shiny...

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Love in the Present Tense

as Alex
Released: 1982-01-01

Vera Jenkins is a beautiful ex-model, who at the height of her fame, met with tragedy that...

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Portrait of a White Marriage

as Roy Bloomer
Released: 1988-08-27

Now a famous talk show host, Martin Mull takes his crew and cameras to Hawkins Falls, Ohio with...

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The Rules of Marriage

as Herb Gallup
Released: 1982-05-10

A seemingly perfect marriage disintegrates, as both husband and wife become involved in a series...

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When Your Lover Leaves

as Ralph
Released: 1983-10-31

Comedy about a woman dumped by her married boyfriend who gets involved in a short-lived...

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Burl's

as Gym Instructor
Released: 2003-06-08

When a young boy encounters three drag queens outside Burl's Diner in L.A. he decides that...

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Payback

as Coroner
Released: 1988-01-01

A right-wing revolutionary group called Strikeforce goes on a kidnapping and murdering spree in...

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Silent Laughter: The Reel Inspirations of 'Silent Movie'

as Self
Released: 2009-12-15

A featurette about the origins of "Silent Movie," as well as its inspirations and development,...

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First The Egg

as Mr. White
Released: 1985-03-06

A group of high school students take part in a parenting class where their first assignment is...

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Columbo

as Director
First aired: 1971-09-15

Columbo is a friendly, verbose, disheveled-looking police detective who is consistently...

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Seinfeld

as Rider
First aired: 1989-07-05

A stand-up comedian and his three offbeat friends weather the pitfalls and payoffs of life in...

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Married... with Children

as Wendell
First aired: 1987-04-05

Al Bundy is an unsuccessful middle aged shoe salesman with a miserable life and an equally...

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Family Ties

as Earl Quigley
First aired: 1982-09-22

Former 1960s flower children Steven and Elyse Keaton raise their conservative son Alex,...

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Rugrats

as Stu Pickles (voice)
First aired: 1991-08-11

Focuses on a group of toddlers, most prominently Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil, and Angelica, and...

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That '70s Show

as Old Man Shinsky
First aired: 1998-08-23

Crank up the 8-track and flash back to a time when platform shoes and puka shells were all the...

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The Love Boat

as uncredited
First aired: 1977-09-24

Passengers who search for romantic nights aboard a beautiful ship travelling to tropical or...

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The Love Boat

as Miles Metcalf
First aired: 1977-09-24

Passengers who search for romantic nights aboard a beautiful ship travelling to tropical or...

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Barney Miller

as Frederick Clooney
First aired: 1975-01-23

Barney Miller is an American situation comedy television series set in a New York City police...

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Barney Miller

as Robert Lovell
First aired: 1975-01-23

Barney Miller is an American situation comedy television series set in a New York City police...

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M*A*S*H

as Capt. Kaplan
First aired: 1972-09-17

The 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital is stuck in the middle of the Korean war. With little...

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I Dream of Jeannie

as Frank
First aired: 1965-09-18

While on a mission, American astronaut Captain Tony Nelson is forced to make an emergency...

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The Rockford Files

as Adrian Lyman
First aired: 1974-09-13

Cranky but likable L.A. PI Jim Rockford pulls no punches (but takes plenty of them). An ex-con...

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Hart to Hart

as uncredited
First aired: 1979-09-22

Wealthy couple Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, a self-made millionaire and his journalist wife,...

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Night Court

as Dr. Flick
First aired: 1984-01-04

An eccentric fun-loving judge presides over an urban night court and all the silliness going on...

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Night Court

as Emil Dutton
First aired: 1984-01-04

An eccentric fun-loving judge presides over an urban night court and all the silliness going on...

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Night Court

as Beepo the Clown
First aired: 1984-01-04

An eccentric fun-loving judge presides over an urban night court and all the silliness going on...

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Night Court

as Jim Wimberly
First aired: 1984-01-04

An eccentric fun-loving judge presides over an urban night court and all the silliness going on...

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Police Woman

as Joe
First aired: 1974-09-13

Sergeant “Pepper"” Anderson, an undercover cop for the Criminal Conspiracy Unit of the Los...

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Happy Days

as uncredited
First aired: 1974-01-15

In 1950s Milwaukee the Cunningham family must contend with Fonzie, a motorcycle riding Casanova.

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Simon & Simon

as uncredited
First aired: 1981-11-24

Simon & Simon is an American detective television series that originally ran from November 24,...

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Hogan's Heroes

as uncredited
First aired: 1965-09-17

Hogan's Heroes is an American television sitcom that ran for 168 episodes from September 17,...

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Hogan's Heroes

as Captain
First aired: 1965-09-17

Hogan's Heroes is an American television sitcom that ran for 168 episodes from September 17,...

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Newhart

as uncredited
First aired: 1982-10-02

Dick Loudon and his wife Joanna decide to leave life in New York City and buy a little inn in...

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Family Matters

as uncredited
First aired: 1989-09-22

A long-running dramedy centering on the Winslow family, a middle-class African American family...

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The Drew Carey Show

as Mr. Jones
First aired: 1995-09-13

Drew is an assistant director of personnel in a Cleveland department store and he has been stuck...

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Charles in Charge

as Professor Kleeman
First aired: 1984-10-03

Charles, a 19-year-old student at the fictional Copeland College in New Brunswick, New Jersey,...

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St. Elsewhere

as uncredited
First aired: 1982-10-26

St. Elsewhere is an American medical drama television series that originally ran on NBC from...

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Touched by an Angel

as Leo
First aired: 1994-09-21

Monica, an angel, is tasked with bringing guidance and messages from God to various people who...

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Coach

as Oliver
First aired: 1989-02-28

Hayden Fox, the curmudgeonly coach of Minnesota State University's Screaming Eagles football...

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The Bob Newhart Show

as uncredited
First aired: 1972-09-16

The Bob Newhart Show is an American situation comedy produced by MTM Enterprises, which aired...

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The Bob Newhart Show

as Elliot Carlin
First aired: 1972-09-16

The Bob Newhart Show is an American situation comedy produced by MTM Enterprises, which aired...

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Cannon

as uncredited
First aired: 1971-09-14

Cannon is a CBS detective television series produced by Quinn Martin which aired from March 26,...

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The Garfield Show

as Ghost Cat (voice)
First aired: 2009-11-02

Your favorite lazy, fat cat is at it again. Garfield, Odie, Jon and the rest of the gang are...

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Eight Is Enough

as uncredited
First aired: 1977-03-15

Eight Is Enough is an American television comedy-drama series that ran on ABC from March 15,...

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The Mary Tyler Moore Show

as Barry Barlow
First aired: 1970-09-19

30-year-old single Mary Richards moves to Minneapolis to start a new life after a romantic...

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The Mary Tyler Moore Show

as Eldon Colfax
First aired: 1970-09-19

30-year-old single Mary Richards moves to Minneapolis to start a new life after a romantic...

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Faerie Tale Theatre

as Sexton / Deacon
First aired: 1982-09-11

A live-action children's television anthology series retelling popular fairy tales.

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Alice

as uncredited
First aired: 1976-08-31

Alice is an American sitcom television series that ran from August 31, 1976 to March 19, 1985 on...

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All Grown Up!

as uncredited
First aired: 2003-04-12

The former "Rugrats" tots now face preteen issues and dilemmas.

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All Grown Up!

as Stu Pickles (voice)
First aired: 2003-04-12

The former "Rugrats" tots now face preteen issues and dilemmas.

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Son of the Beach

as uncredited
First aired: 2000-03-14

A parody of "Baywatch" featuring Malibu Adjacent's Notch Johnson, the world's greatest lifeguard...

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Harry and the Hendersons

as Leonard
First aired: 1991-01-13

The Hendersons, an upwardly mobile Seattle family, bring home what they believe to be a dead...

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Punky Brewster

as Snipes
First aired: 1984-09-16

An abandoned waif and her dog are taken in by a cranky apartment manager who becomes her...

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Dave's World

as Guy
First aired: 1993-09-20

Dave's World is an American sitcom that aired on CBS from 1993 to 1997. The series is based on...

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The Flying Nun

as uncredited
First aired: 1967-09-07

Young Sister Bertrille uses her ability to become airborne to help others, whether they want it...

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Harry O

as uncredited
First aired: 1974-09-12

After being shot in the line of duty, Harry Orwell was forced to retire from the San Diego...

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Yes, Dear

as Mr. Shipley
First aired: 2000-10-02

A comedy about two young couples and their outrageously contrasting views on parenting. Greg and...

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Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

as uncredited
First aired: 1964-09-25

Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. is an American situation comedy that originally aired on CBS from September...

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Occasional Wife

as uncredited
First aired: 1966-09-13

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Mike Hammer, Private Eye

as uncredited
First aired: 1997-09-28

Mike Hammer, Private Eye is an American syndicated television program based on the adventures of...

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Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

as Guest Performer
First aired: 1967-09-09

An American sketch comedy television program hosted by comedians Dan Rowan and Dick Martin.

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Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

as Self
First aired: 1967-09-09

An American sketch comedy television program hosted by comedians Dan Rowan and Dick Martin.

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Blacke's Magic

as uncredited
First aired: 1986-01-05

Blacke's Magic is an American crime drama series that aired on NBC from January to May 1986. The...

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George & Leo

as uncredited
First aired: 1997-09-15

George & Leo is a short-lived American sitcom starring Bob Newhart and Judd Hirsch. Set on...

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Working

as Chaplain
First aired: 1997-10-08

Working is an American situation comedy that aired on NBC from 1997 to 1999. The series was...

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Mathnet

as Mr. Dwight Ledbetter
First aired: 1987-01-26

Mathnet is a segment on the children's television show Square One Television, of which five...

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The Snoop Sisters

as Ollie Robertson
First aired: 1973-12-19

Two elderly mystery novelists solve real crimes.

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Oh, Grow Up

as uncredited
First aired: 1999-09-22

Oh, Grow Up is a sitcom that aired on ABC from September to December 1999. Created by Alan Ball,...

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The Tim Conway Show

as Self
First aired: 1980-03-22

A variety/sketch comedy television series. Tim Conway hosted a variety show so closely modeled...

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Diff'rent Strokes

as Mr. Crocker
First aired: 1978-11-03

The series stars Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges as Arnold and Willis Jackson, two African...

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Joe and Valerie

as Ed Sweetzer
First aired: 1978-04-24

Joe, who works at his dad's plumbing store, meets Valerie at a disco and a romance begins. But...

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Kung Fu

as Royal
First aired: 1972-10-14

The adventures of a Shaolin Monk as he wanders the American West armed only with his skill in...

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