Copyright Screen Rant
Many actors are best known for playing an iconic TV character, and some can brag about playing two great TV characters. Many of the best TV shows of all time had iconic characters, which either boosted the careers of their actors or, if they were already established actors, made them more popular. Some actors have had the chance to be part of many different TV shows, though not all of them can be considered memorable and “iconic.” However, some actors have played two or even more truly great TV characters, most of them very different from each other, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they added more in the future. Teri Hatcher Lois & Clark, Desperate Housewives A decade before Desperate Housewives premiered, Teri Hatcher became part of superhero history when she played Lois Lane in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Alongside Dean Cain as Clark Kent/Superman, Hatcher brought one of the most memorable superhero couples to life in a series that explored their relationship along with Superman’s heroic deeds. Lois Lane was Hatcher’s breakout role, but her career got a major boost when she was cast as Susan Mayer Delfino in Desperate Housewives. The show was a critical success and one of the most popular drama TV shows of the 2000s, and Hatcher’s performance, balancing drama and comedy, earned her nominations for various awards, winning a Golden Globe and a SAG Award. Ed O'Neill Married… with Children, Modern Family Ed O'Neill’s two iconic TV roles are all about family, but in different ways. From 1987 to 1997, O’Neill starred in the sitcom Married… with Children as Al Bundy, a misanthropic, working-class father who, even though he was often antipathetic toward his family, stood by them and supported them when they needed it the most. Many years later, O’Neill was cast as Jay Pritchett in Modern Family. Jay was Gloria’s (Sofía Vergara) husband, Manny’s stepfather, and father of Claire, Mitchell, and Joe. Jay is the wealthiest member of the family, owning a closet company. Jay is known for his sarcasm and dry humor, but also shows his softer side from time to time. Noah Wyle ER, The Pitt Noah Wyle has done a bit of everything on TV for years, but he’s best known for two iconic roles in the same genre: medical dramas. Wyle’s big break came in 1994 when he was cast as John Carter in ER. Carter started as a third-year medical student and made his way up the hospital’s pyramid, while also becoming a fan-favorite character. Wyle recently returned to the world of medical dramas with The Pitt, created by R. Scott Gemmill. Wyle plays Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, a senior attending physician struggling with the traumatic experiences he went through during the COVID-19 pandemic. Robby is a more dramatic and intense character than Carter, but both show Wyle’s natural charm. Jeremy Allen White Shameless, The Bear Jeremy Allen White got his big break in 2011 when he was cast as Lip Gallagher, the second-oldest Gallagher sibling, in the comedy-drama series Shameless. Lip went through a lot in 11 seasons of Shameless, as the genius of the family who didn’t get the education he deserved and had to take care of the parental duties along with Fiona. White left the streets of Chicago and the chaotic Gallagher family in 2022 for the kitchen of a restaurant also in Chicago in the comedy-drama series The Bear. White plays Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, an award-winning chef looking to improve the restaurant of his deceased brother. The Bear has let White’s dramatic acting skills shine, along with his perfectly timed and subtle comedy. Kristen Bell Veronica Mars, The Good Place Kristen Bell has had some memorable TV roles, starting with her breakout role in Veronica Mars. Bell played the title character, a high school student who also works as a private investigator in Southern California. Veronica Mars was such a success that it got a movie in 2014 and a fourth season in 2019, after being canceled in 2007. In 2016, Bell was cast in what would be her second iconic TV role when she joined The Good Place as Eleanor Shellstrop. Eleanor had one of the best character developments of the decade, but without losing her essence and sense of humor, and starred in one of the most heartbreaking but beautiful finales ever. Ted Danson Cheers, The Good Place Kristen Bell isn’t the only actor who found another iconic role in The Good Place, as it also happened to Ted Danson. Many years before The Good Place, Danson starred in the iconic sitcom Cheers as Sam Malone, a bartender and the owner of the title bar. Cheers is one of the best sitcoms of all time, and it was Danson’s big break. Many years later, Danson was cast as Michael in The Good Place. Michael was an “afterlife architect”, whose job was to design life after death for the deceased. Michael is at the front and center of The Good Place’s big season 1 twist, and he goes through an interesting journey after that. Alyson Hannigan Buffy the Vampire Slayer, How I Met Your Mother Alyson Hannigan’s iconic TV roles are very different from each other. First, Hannigan played Willow in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Buffy’s best friend, who becomes a powerful witch. Willow starts as the shy and nerdy friend, but with time, and as she develops her magical skills, she becomes more confident, but without losing her sweet essence. Not long after the ending of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Hannigan was cast as Lily Aldrin in How I Met Your Mother, the fiancée and later wife of Ted’s best friend, Marshall. Although both are loyal and fun friends, Lily is more mature than Willow, but also more comedy-oriented. Milo Ventimiglia Gilmore Girls, This Is Us Milo Ventimiglia went from playing a heartbreaker in Gilmore Girls to breaking everyone’s hearts in This Is Us. In Gilmore Girls, Ventimiglia played Jess Mariano, Luke’s rebellious nephew who came from a broken home and who briefly (and chaotically) dated Rory. Although he left in season 3, Ventimiglia returned in the 2016 revival. In 2016, Ventimiglia was cast as Jack Pearson in the drama series This Is Us. Jack was Rebecca’s (Mandy Moore) first husband and the father of Kate, Kevin, and Randall. Unlike Gilmore Girls’ Jess Mariano, who eventually matured and learned from his mistakes, This Is Us’ Jack had a tragic ending that broke the audience’s hearts. Julia Louis-Dreyfus Seinfeld, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Veep Julia Louis-Dreyfus has not two but three iconic TV roles so far. First, Louis-Dreyfus played Elaine in Seinfeld, Jerry’s ex-girlfriend who is now friends with him, George Costanza, and Cosmo Kramer. Elaine gave Louis-Dreyfus various awards and is now one of the most popular sitcom characters ever. Years later, Louis-Dreyfus starred in the sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine as the title character, a single woman trying to find balance between her career and her personal life. Last but not least, Louis-Dreyfus starred in the political satire comedy series Veep as the fictional VP of the United States, Selina Meyer. Bryan Cranston Malcolm in the Middle, Breaking Bad Bryan Cranston’s first iconic TV role was in the beloved 2000s sitcom Malcolm in the Middle. In it, Cranston played Hal, father to Frances, Reese, Malcolm, Dewey, and Jamie, and husband to Lois. Although he was loving and well-meaning, Hal wasn’t exactly the most adept and mature father, depending a lot on Lois. Not long after Malcolm in the Middle ended, Cranston got a completely different role when he was cast as Walter White in Breaking Bad. White was a high-school chemistry teacher who, after being diagnosed with cancer, began to make meth to secure his family’s finances. Cranston played two iconic but completely different fathers and earned a special spot in TV history.
