Actors who had sustained success after playing iconic characters

Amid a stellar Orange is the New Black cast, Aduba's emotionally unhinged, but highly intelligent, Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren (2013-19) remains the best of the bunch. And, it earned Aduba two Primetime Emmy Awards, among other noteworthy forms of recognition, in the process. However, Aduba's career as a standout actress was only beginning. She went on to claim another Emmy for her portrayal of trailblazing politician Shirley Chisholm in the 2020 Hulu miniseries Mrs. America, and also received raves as therapist Dr. Brooke Taylor in season four (2021) of the HBO drama In Treatment.

When it comes to the all-time great characters in sitcom history, Allen's Tim "The Toolman" Taylor is obviously a household name. However, Allen managed to move on from his Golden Globe Award-caliber success with Home Improvement (1991-99) by enjoying another long comedic-sitcom run via Last Man Standing (2011-21). Instead of being the father of three boys, Mike Baxter is in charge of three girls, who make his life even more challenging. Off course, Allen has also enjoyed consistent big-screen success with the Toy Story and Santa Clause film franchises.

The legendary Andrews has brought to life two of the most beloved and iconic characters of all time. For serving in the title role of Mary Poppins (1964), of which was her film debut, Andrews won the Academy Award for Best Actress. One year later, Andrews took home the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical while delivering another special performance as nanny Maria in The Sound of Music (1965). Of course, Andrews, a longtime star on Broadway and Grammy Award winner, earned latter day success with The Princess Diaries (2001), The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004) and Netflix favorite Bridgerton.

Applegate played the stereotype of the promiscuous, dumb blonde better than most as popular, ditzy teen Kelly Bundy on the groundbreaking Fox hit Married... with Children (1987-97). However, Applegate has enjoyed an even more successful career in her post-Married world. She earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for her lead performance in the comedy sitcom Jesse (1998-2000), won a Primetime Emmy for her guest spot as Rachel's sister on Friends, and earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations while starring in the ABC sitcom Samantha Who? (2007-09) and Netflix dark comedy Dead to Me (2019-22). Not to mention the success she's earned on the big screen and Broadway.

Simply put, Braugher is an exceptional actor who can pull off just about any role — dramatic or comedic. His turn as Det. Frank Pembleton on the uber-popular police drama Homicide: Life on the Street (1993–99) earned Braugher a Primetime Emmy Award. However, he also received a pair of Emmy nominations as Owen Thoreau, Jr., the anxious car salesman on the comedy-drama series Men of a Certain Age (2009-11). Then, he picked up four more Emmy noms as the stoically hilarious Capt. Raymond Holt from Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-21). Talk about versatilely brilliant.

Cox was a known Hollywood commodity before taking on her signature role as the clean-freak, nit-picky Monica Geller in Friends (1994–2004), and she proved worthy of branching out during and after her time on the beloved NBC series that still has quite the life in syndication. On the big screen, Cox earned more praise as cutthroat television journalist Gale Weathers within the Scream franchise of films. Then back in TV land, she garnered Golden Globe and Critics' Choice Award nominations as the divorced, single-mom-looking-for-love-again Jules Cobb in the acclaimed sitcom Cougar Town (2009-15), for which she was also an executive producer.

When it comes to "cool" fictional characters, Cheers' Sam Malone is among the elite in that category. Danson won two Primetime Emmys for his role as the former ballplayer-turned-bar owner (and full-time ladies man) on one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time. It would seem like a tough act to follow, but Danson has shined in his post-Cheers career. He spent six seasons as Dr. John Becker on the CBS comedy Becker (1998-2004), and also earned Emmy nominations for his involvement in the popular legal drama Damages (2007-10) and fantasy dramedy The Good Place (2016-20). Not to mention, Danson has had a place in the CSI franchise through CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2011-15), and CSI: Cyber (2015-16).

When it comes to legendary characters of the TV teen-drama genre made popular in the 1990s and early 2000s, Brenda Walsh is a Hall of Famer. After honing her skills as a child actor, Doherty was solid in playing both sides of the fence — between wholesome Midwestern transplant and cunning L.A. rebel — during her run on the groundbreaking Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-94). However, she also went on to enjoy TV success as Prue Halliwell, one of the good witches from The WB hit Charmed (1998-2001) alongside Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs. That said, Doherty's real-life bad-girl image about being hard to work with ultimately ended up in Prue being killed off in the third season.

TV fans of a certain age essentially watch Fields grown up on the tube as the roller skate-wearing, pigtail-sporting "Tootie" Ramsey on the Facts of Life (1979-'88), who blossomed into a confident teenager. Fields, though, would also prove herself as adult actress as the wise-cracking Regine Hunter on the Fox hit Living Single (1993-98), where she was all about her look, and had no trouble spreading a little gossip. Like others on this list, Fields is a good example of a child actor who was able to achieve equal to, or more, fame and success as an adult.

First, there was Han Solo, a galactic smuggler who helped the rebellion thwart the Empire in the Star Wars franchise of films. Then, Indiana Jones, the rugged archeologist who often risked life and limb to acquire some of the world's most historic antiquities amid his own bevy of films. And, in his early 80s, Ford is still going strong as the latter with the 2023 release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Needless to say, both beloved characters have enjoyed a prominent place in movie and pop culture history, and everything from merchandise and to amusement park rides. 

Fox dominated the 1980s while starring as the money-obsessed, bed-wetting young Republican Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties, not to mention the lovable Marty McFly in the Back to the Future franchise of movies. However, after Fox endured a dry spell of success during the early 1990s, he resurfaced to critical acclaim as the harmlessly pompous Lewis Rothschild in Rob Reiner's The American President (1995), a supporting role that opened the door for Fox to return to TV in the political comedy Spin City (1996-2001). As Mike Flaherty, the popular Deputy Mayor of New York, Fox won three Golden Globe and one Primetime Emmy Awards.

The venerable Gibbs earned five Primetime Emmy nominations for her role as the smart-mouth, wise-cracking Florence Henderson. She was maid to the Jeffersons, and one of the few people willing, and capable, of putting big-mouth George Jefferson in his place. Once Gibbs' time on The Jeffersons (1975-85) ended, she starred and co-produced her own sitcom, 227 (1985-90). With that, Gibbs achieved more acclaim as Mary Jenkins, an intelligent and wise woman trying to keep her husband and teen daughter (Regina King) in check. In 2021, Gibbs found herself part of the cast of long-running NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives.

There are fictional television icons, and then there is Andy Taylor. As the sheriff of Mayberry, N.C., Griffith starred in one of the best beloved sitcoms of all time with The Andy Griffith Show (1960-68). Then nearly 20 years later, Griffith found himself back on primetime television with another popular series in Matlock (1986'-95). Ben Matlock is one of the finest defense attorneys in the southern part of the United States, but can also be best described as cantankerous. It didn't matter — the senior citizen crowd, who enjoyed The Andy Griffith Show as youngers and middle-agers, couldn't get enough of his legal eagle role.

Harris made a name for himself as the popular teen doctor from ABC's Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989-93). He was lauded for his performance during the run of the show, but following its ending, entertainment fans didn't hear much from Harris for a good chunk of the '90s. However, he ultimately achieved success on Broadway, then was a praised for a fictional portrayal of himself in the 2004 comedy gem Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. One year later, Harris returned to situational comedy with the role of his adult career as the womanizing, suit-wearing, lovably conceited Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother (2005-14).

One would think that it would be impossible to go above and beyond the success that Louis-Dreyfus enjoyed as Elaine Benes from Seinfeld. She won a Primetime Emmy Award for that beloved character, but also won for her starring role in The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006-10). From there, Louis-Dreyfus dominated the TV award landscape for her role as the neurotic Selina Meyer (think the Elaine attitude on a massive amount of steroids) from Veep (2012-19), winning six Primetime Emmy Awards for yet another iconic character that will forever be etched in the minds and hearts of comedy television fans.

Love him or hate him, Archie Bunker personifies a television icon. From his cigar to his living-room chair to his politically incorrect nature, Archie was truly one of a kind during the classic run of All in the Family (1971-79) — while winning four Primetime Emmy Awards. OK, he tamed down some during Archie Bunker's Place (1979-83), but soon after regained his edge — for the better — as police chief Bill Gillespie in the network crime drama In the Heat of the Night (1988-95). Back in demand, O'Connor's success continued in that form with another Emmy triumph.

We touched on Married... with Children (1987-97) earlier on this list, but the true star of the show was O'Neill's disgruntled, surly, lazy and vulgar Al Bundy. One of TV's true characters of the small screen, Al earned O'Neill two Golden Globe Award nominations. However, O'Neill was not done with his television excellence. From 2009-20, O'Neill shined as Jay Pritchett, father to Mitchell, Claire and Joe and husband to the voluptuous Gloria, on Modern Family. He did his best to keep his extended and blended family running smoothly, though that was usually a hilarious challenge. O'Neill received three Primetime Emmy nominations for the role. 

During the 1980s, Quan made a name for himself as a promising young actor in his popular roles as Short Round, Indiana Jones' sidekick, in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), then a year later as the techie Data from The Goonies (1985). However, after taking on some lesser-seen roles, he stepped away from acting, but dabbled in behind-the-scenes work as an adult. Then in 2022, Quan returned to the big screen in grand fashion with his Academy Award-winning supporting role as eccentric, yet meek, husband Waymond Wang, in the lauded sci-fi hit Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Will Smith might have been the star from the massively popular NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-96), but when it comes to the most iconic character from the show, Ribeiro's Carlton is still talked about today. Will's preppy cousin was mildly corrupted by his inner-city relative, but highly entertaining — especially when it came to dancing. Now, Ribeiro might not have enjoyed consistent Hollywood success in the wake of Fresh Prince, but found a niche in the reality TV world. He famously won Season 19 of Dancing with the Stars, and eventually became host of the popular competition. In addition, Ribeiro currently hosts America's Funniest Home Videos. 

It's tough to the top the coolness factor exuded by private investigator Thomas Magnum. And, yes, the conversation regarding Selleck's acting career begins and ends with Magnum, P.I. (1980-88), the role which won him a Primetime Emmy and multiple People Choice's Awards. Then, after enjoying a serviceable movie career during and in the wake of Magnum, Selleck returned to TV as small-town police chief Jesse Stone during a series of television movies. And, of course, he found more success as New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan on CBS's Blue Bloods, still a primetime favorite since debuting in 2010. 

Like Harrison Ford, Sly has played, and actually, is still playing two of the most popular and iconic characters in film history. If he only had street fighter and beloved fictional Philadelphia underdog Rocky Balboa to his acting credits, that would prove iconic enough. He's still portraying Rocky, for better or worse, well into his 70s. Throw in Vietnam War hero-turned government-sponsored mercenary John Rambo, and the Rambo franchise of movies, and Stallone will go down as one of the most popular drama/action entertainers of all time. 

As legendary a character James T. Kirk is, and what he means to Star Trek fans around the world, Shatner's career, obviously, did not end with that iconic performance. He enjoyed extended fame as the star of T. J. Hooker (1982-86), playing the hard-charging police officer who often defied danger to catch the bad guys. However, Shatner still was not done. He earned more acclaim as the host of the docudrama series Rescue 911 (1989-96), and then won a pair of Emmys for his role of veteran attorney Denny Crane on both The Practice and its spinoff Boston Legal. 

Playing the father figure proved to be late-career gold for Stiller, who enjoyed his first extensive individual acting success as George's father, Frank Constanza, on Seinfeld. Volatile, neurotic and extremely loud, Frank will go down as one of the great supporting characters in sitcom history. However, Stiller wasn't done making people laugh, and did so on a similar level as Carrie's father in The King of Queens (1998-2007). Arthur Spooner didn't live his life at a high volume like Frank, but could be hilariously demanding and helpless. Which might be even more annoying. 

A legend of TV, stage and screen, Van Dyke has won Golden Globe, Tony, Grammy, a Daytime Emmy, and four Primetime Emmy Awards. When it comes to television, Van Dyke brilliantly played the role of the all-American husband and father, Rob Petrie, on The Dıck Van Dyke Show (1961-66). Then nearly 30 years later, he enjoyed more TV success as Dr. Mark Sloan on the hit drama Diagnosis: Murder (1993-2001). It just proved that no matter how old or what type of television genre, Van Dyke could find success in pretty much everything he did.

Like Archie Bunker, "The Fonz" is a pop culture icon. Arthur Fonzarelli was the epitome of fictional television cool, and his leather jacket from Happy Days sits in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Yet, Winkler has managed to enjoy a long and successful acting career beyond "Fonzie." earning praise as bumbling lawyer Barry Zuckerkorn in Arrested Development (2003-19), ne'er-do-well Eddie R. Lawson on Royal Pains (2010-16), and the inept Dr. Saperstein from Parks and Recreation (2013-15). However, it was the role of Gene Cousineau, the acting coach mentor to Bill Hader's main character in Barry (2018-23), that finally earned Winkler his long-awaited Primetime Emmy victory.