15 Actors Who Struck TV Gold More Than Once

Landing a hit TV show is a dream for most actors, but finding success on multiple series is a rare achievement. Whether they starred in beloved sitcoms, gripping dramas, or long-running fan favorites, these performers proved their talent wasn’t limited to just one unforgettable role. Time and again, they captivated audiences and kept viewers tuning in with memorable performances across different shows. Here are 15 actors who found remarkable success on multiple TV series throughout their careers.

Kelsey Grammer

Kelsey Grammer‘s sharp comedic timing and ability to anchor as the sophisticated psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane in two popular TV series cemented his place as a titan of primetime television. He starred in Cheers for 203 episodes between 1984 and 1993, followed by 264 episodes in Frasier from 1993 til 2004. Grammer won four Emmy Awards for his performance throughout Frasier.

Ted Danson

From the iconic bartender Sam Malone on Cheers to his inspired turns as quirky Michael on The Good Place and steadfast Dr. John Becker in Becker, Ted Danson‘s résumé reads like a masterclass in sitcom history. His effortless charm and range allowed him to headline some of TV’s sharpest, most memorable ensemble casts.

Ron Howard

Ron Howard‘s first memorable role on a TV show was as the lovable Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show and later as Richie Cunningham in Happy Days. Decades later, he was attached to yet another iconic show as the narrator for Arrested Development.

Edie Falco

Few performers can switch from the role of emotionally complex to vulnerable as flawlessly as Edie Falco. She starred as Carmela Soprano on The Sopranos from 1999 to 2007, then played Jackie Peyton on Nurse Jackie from 2009 to 2015. Falco is the first actress to have won Emmys for lead performances in both a drama series and a comedy series.

Tony Danza

Tony Danza transitioned seamlessly from playing the endearing cab driver Tony Banta on Taxi to the lovable housekeeper Tony Micelli on Who’s the Boss?. The actor’s everyman appeal and slapstick comedic instincts made him a standout star on two of the most beloved shows of their eras.

Julianna Margulies

Julianna Margulies emerged as a breakout star portraying the compassionate nurse Carol Hathaway on ER, then stunned critics again as brilliant attorney Alicia Florrick in The Good Wife. She first captured an Emmy for her supporting role on ER in 1995 before winning two more for her lead performance in The Good Wife in 2011 and 2014.

Courteney Cox

Fans first fell for Courteney Cox as the hyper-organized, lovable Monica Geller on Friends before she reinvented herself as the bold Jules Cobb in Cougar Town. Her impeccable comedic instincts and relatable characters have resonated with audiences for decades. Her performance as Jules Cobb on Cougar Town earned Cox a Golden Globe nomination.

Keri Russell

Keri Russell‘s journey from teen drama to high-stakes espionage dramas highlights her remarkable growth and versatility. The actress first made an indelible impression as the earnest college student Felicity in Felicity before transforming into the magnetic Russian spy Elizabeth Jennings on The Americans.

Danny DeVito

Danny DeVito rose to stardom with his hilarious, scene-stealing turn as Louie De Palma on Taxi, then reinvented himself decades later as the mischievous Frank Reynolds on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He won both a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his standout work on Taxi.

Jeffrey Tambor

Known for his deft comedic timing, Jeffrey Tambor made his mark as sidekick Hank Kingsley on The Larry Sanders Show from 1992 til 1998, then later turned heads with dual roles in Arrested Development and the groundbreaking Transparent. His portrayal of Maura Pfefferman on Transparent ultimately brought him a Golden Globe plus two Emmy Awards.

Jane Curtin

Jane Curtin brought unmatched deadpan wit to television, from her Emmy-winning turn on Kate & Allie to the hilariously skeptical Dr. Mary Albright on 3rd Rock from the Sun. Her subtlety and sharp humor made her a standout performer across different comedic eras. She won consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in Kate & Allie.

Tom Selleck

Tom Selleck became a pop culture icon as the wisecracking private investigator on Magnum P.I., then evolved into the steady-handed police commissioner Frank Reagan on Blue Bloods. His gravitas and charisma have brought to life some of TV’s most memorable characters.

Elisabeth Moss

Elisabeth Moss first captivated viewers as Peggy Olson, the ambitious copywriter in Mad Men, before redefining her career with a powerhouse performance as June Osborne in The Handmaid’s Tale. She earned six Primetime Emmy nominations during her time on Mad Men before finally winning her first Emmy in 2017 for her starring role in The Handmaid’s Tale.

Jason Bateman

Jason Bateman dazzled as the dryly funny Michael Bluth in Arrested Development and then wowed critics and fans with his intense, morally complex turn in Ozark. The actor also directed some episodes of Ozark, and in 2019, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series.

Bryan Cranston

Bryan Cranston reinvented himself from the goofy, lovable dad Hal on Malcolm in the Middle to the unforgettable, morally ambiguous Walter White in Breaking Bad. His total commitment to character and genre-bending performances has made him one of TV’s most acclaimed and surprising stars. After receiving three Emmy nominations for playing Hal, Cranston later went on to capture four Emmy Awards for his acclaimed performance in Breaking Bad.