It’s difficult to star in one iconic TV series, let alone two or three. But several actors and TV have pulled it off over the years, especially in the sitcom world. One of the most notable: Tim Allen. In the ‘90s, he starred on ABC’s “Home Improvement” for eight seasons and more than 200 episodes. He returned to the network in 2011 for “Last Man Standing”. It was on ABC for six seasons before it was cancelled and then revived by FOX.
That network has just announced that the upcoming “LMS” season (its third on FOX and ninth overall) will be the last one. Yet another successful Tim Allen network comedy – and it will come close to reaching 200 total episodes.
Another 1-2 punch actor that comes to mind is Kelsey Grammer, who famously went from nine seasons of “Cheers” right into another eleven on “Frasier” (both for NBC). His “Back to You” co-star Patricia Heaton spent nine years on “Everybody Loves Raymond” (CBS) and another nine on “The Middle” (ABC). Heaton’s “Middle” husband Neil Flynn was on “Scrubs” (NBC & ABC) for eight seasons before then. And most recently, Ed O’Neill wrapped-up his 11-year run on ABC’s “Modern Family”. He also did 11 years on FOX’s “Married… with Children”.
The queen in this category is Betty White, with “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (CBS), “The Golden Girls” (NBC) and “Hot in Cleveland” (TV Land). The runner-up: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, with “Seinfeld” (NBC), “The New Adventures of Old Christine” (CBS) and “Veep” (HBO).
And another comedy series leading lady is exiting her second successful show soon. Emmy winner America Ferrera, who broke through as “Ugly Betty” on ABC, is about to leave the world of NBC’s “Superstore” a couple episodes into this new season, which premieres October 29th.