I Know That Actor (follow me on FB!)

I Know That Actor (follow me on FB!)

If you follow me on Facebook, you know that I enjoy posting in an ongoing series I call I Know that Actor. It started a year or two ago, as I was re-watching Columbo periodically. I love that show – and one of my favorite things about it is the wide-ranging guest stars. I’d see Robert Stack in this episode. And then, Leonard Nimoy in the next. Hey, that’s Jose Ferrer! And isn’t that Jane Greer? Man, Martin Sheen was young in that one! And I would snap a screen shot on my phone, or find a pic on the internet, from that episode.

I’d say a bit about them: mostly other roles I liked them in. Columbo was a Who’s Who of stars. And various FB friends would leave comments – often some other show or movie that person had been in. The posts and the discussion are always positive, and information is shared. I like adding something that isn’t negative to FB.

I watch/re-watch a lot of shows with guest stars, which feeds this game: Monk, Psych, Suits, House, Leverage, Burn Notice, In Plain Sight, Royal Pains (USA shows shared a lot of folks), Star Trek: Discovery -I’ve probably done a couple hundred posts.

I was watching an episode of Bones on Sunday. (There was certainly more mystery there than could be found on who was winning the Bucs-Eagles game), when I recognized a voice. Sometimes I get it on my own: often I have to use IMDB, which I keep open on my phone. It was Scott Michael Campbell, Mike’s priest buddy on Suits. And then, David Meunier. I didn’t now his name, but I knew he was Johnny Crowder on Justified. He was also on Bosch (I’ll mention multiple shows that I like, when applicable).

And then, a third: Karina Logue played a very memorable character on one episode of In Plain Sight. And one episode of Longmire. And also Vegas – a short-lived show I enjoyed. And here’s Justified again (my all-time favorite show). Somebody else will mention she was on an episode of NCIS. There was actually a fourth, with a Devious Maids tie-in, near the end.

So, I’ll do three (or four) separate posts, with a screen shot for each, and there will be a few comments, and a few likes. I enjoy the sharing and community feeling of these posts. FB could use more of that.

Here are a few samples:

I Know that Actor – You’ve seen Michael B Silver here in this feature, several times before.

Silver has appeared in an episode of a lot of shows. Most recently, SWAT.

Here on Suits, he is an ethically challenged member of the bar association’s ethics board. He’s usually at least a little likable. Not quite so much here.

He was fun as a sports agent in a recurring role on Royal Pains. I liked him on ER as a doctor. Monk, In Plain Sight, Bosch, Perception, The X-Files, Body of Proof, Bones, Nip/Tuck – always glad to see him show up. And he’s been on a bunch of popular shows I haven’t watched, like NYPD Blue, and Judging Amy.
He was in the forgettable pilot for Marlowe, which updated Raymond Chandler’s PI to modern times. Starring Jason O’Mara, it didn’t get picked up.

One of my favorite modern day supporting actors.

I Know that Actor (IKtA)– And, we’re back for a 2022 season of those faces you recognize – but may or may not know their names.

I’m still watching the occasional episode of Bones. I’m up to the beginning of season four. Andrew Buchan was in a two-parter set in the UK to start things off. He excelled in Broadchurch, and was in John Malkovich’s The ABC Murders.

But here in episode three, it’s Jill Wagner! Wagner is a Hallmark staple, making regular movies, Christmas movies, and starring in the ongoing Mystery 101 series (created by Lee Goldberg). She reminds me of another IKtA face, Tricia Helfer.

Here, Wagner is the costar/’bait’ on a ‘Gotcha’ tv show. She’s also a primary suspect.

I Know that Actor – For me, one of the joys of watching Columbo is identifying the array of guest stars. That’s one of the many attractions of Psych, as well.

Season four, episode five’s ‘Shawn gets the Yips’ includes Stephen Lang. I immediately recognized him as Ike Clanton, from Tombstone.

“Listen, Mr. Kansas Law Dog. Law don’t go around here. Savvy?

 

As I mentioned, it’s mostly posts from TV shows – ones that have already finished their runs. But I watch shows that tend to have lots of guest appearances. When I start a new show, a new round of the informal series starts. Long-running shows like House, and Bones, provide plenty of posts. It’s fun.

If you like any of the shows I mentioned – or you just find me fascinating person in general – like me on FB and check out the series. I’m going to cover another favorite, The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., eventually. And I think when my son and I are done with Suits, we’re going to try White Collar (haven’t seen that). I think there are going to be lots of posts for that show.


This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Bob_TieSmile150.jpg

Bob Byrne’s ‘A (Black) Gat in the Hand’ made it’s Black Gate debut in the summer of 2018 and will be back yet again in 2022.

His ‘The Public Life of Sherlock Holmes’ column ran every Monday morning at Black Gate from March, 2014 through March, 2017. And he irregularly posts on Rex Stout’s gargantuan detective in ‘Nero Wolfe’s Brownstone.’ He is a member of the Praed Street Irregulars, founded www.SolarPons.com (the only website dedicated to the ‘Sherlock Holmes of Praed Street’) and blogs about Holmes and other mystery matters at Almost Holmes.

He organized Black Gate’s award-nominated ‘Discovering Robert E. Howard’ series, as well as the award-winning ‘Hither Came Conan’ series.

He has contributed stories to The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories – Parts III, IV, V, VI and XXI.

He has written introductions for Steeger Books, and appeared in several magazines, including Black Mask, Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine, The Strand Magazine, and Sherlock Magazine.

 

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Aonghus Fallon

I first saw Stephen Lang play a union leader (and closet homosexual) in Last Exit to Brooklyn. He was excellent – and about as different from the gung-ho general he played in Avatar as it was possible to get.

Mike C. Tuggle

I also enjoy spotting actors in series you wouldn’t expect them. Speaking of Columbo, I saw Laurence Harvey in the chess episode, and recognized the voice and face. I knew I’d seen him before, and found out he’d played Colonel Travis in the Alamo with John Wayne.

Thomas Parker

For me Harvey will always be Raymond Shaw in The Manchurian Candidate.

Mike C. Tuggle

And speaking of the Manchurian Candidate, I was surprised to notice Reggie Nalder in that film with a one-liner. As I recall, he was one of the eeeevil commie conspirators. Nalder played the Andorian ambassador in the Star Trek episode “Journey to Babel.” He had a very distinctive voice. Perfect bad guy.

Thomas Parker

Another MC alumnus was Henry Silva as Chu Chin, Harvey’s butler/communist agent. He was all over the place in the 60’s and 70’s. He’s involved in one of my all-time favorite movie exchanges, when he’s given his man servant duties by Harvey. Silva” “Yes sir, Mr. Shaw! Just like United States Army!” Harvey: “Oh God. I hope not.”

smitty59

Stephen lang also played an attorney on “Crime Story,” w/ Dennis Farina, and he was one of the 2 no-good sons of Dustin Hoffman’s Willie Loman in “Death of a Salesman.” He was also in “Avatar,” and very scary in the 2 “Don’t Breathe” films. Plus, he was in Jason Momoa’s “Conan the Barbarian.” Very versatile actor.

smitty59

I just watched James Purefoy’s “Solomon Kane” a couple weeks ago. In one of the bonus interviews, he mentioned something about a potential sequel. He also did a great turn as a Knights Templar in “Ironclad.”

R.K. Robinson

You mistakenly assume everyone has Facebook. Those of us not interested in getting swallowed up by social media avoid it like the plague it is.

Alec Semicognito

What, no mention of The Love Boat?

Thomas Parker

He didn’t want to clear the room. (I say this as someone addicted to the pleasures of the Aaron Spelling Universe – Love Boat, Vegas, Charlie’s Angels, Fantasy Island…)

Thomas Parker

A little help, Bob – there are, like, 150 Bob Byrnes on FB!

silentdante

i do a similar thing, except i do it with older shows i am doing a catch-up or re=watch like Murder, She Wrote where i notice the same actors who play different characters on the show. it happens a few times in said murder she wrote, it happens a TON with shows like law and order special victims unitm there is even a few times where a person platys a throw=away character then comes back to the show a year later as a recurring show character. it does happen as much anymore since shows rarely go 22 episodes a season, and 7+ seasons, but i do end up watching a lot of older shows.

the Death in Paradise show has a lot of this because i watch a lot of British shows so the guests are always “wait i know that dude”! dude being a word for anyone to me.

Thomas Parker

I do the same thing, but it’s often with OLD shows…as I’m getting to be an…uh, old guy. My favorite for this is the original Raymond Burr Perry Mason, which was a treasure trove of character actors. I refuse to get up and consult IMDB, but do my best to dredge the name up from my unconscious unaided. My wife is used to seeing me sit scowling on the couch for thirty or fourth minutes, until I suddenly burst out with “Strother Martin!!” or “Barton MacLane!!” or “Mala Powers!!”

Thomas Parker

Another great Warners supporting actor was George Tobias, who later turned up as Abner Kravitz on Bewitched.

Josh

Cold Case just showed up on HBO Max (guess they finally figured out the music clearances) and there are tons of “Hey It’s That Guy!” (to use the old Fametracker parlance) appearances and “before they were stars” guest shots, since that show is one of the ultimate Case of the Week procedurals. It’s been rather fun trying to guess who some of them were before running to IMDB for the answer.

Thomas Parker

Most of the time, it’s the voice that gets me. More than knowing I’ve seen a face before, I know I’ve heard that voice before. I think voices change less over time than faces do.

silentdante

when all those shows dropped on… what was it, USA? TBS? (shows meaning suits, white collar, burn notice, and that doctor one) i only ever kept up with Burn Notice, but did drop off that one about 4-5 seasons in too. i might have to go back to watch white collar and suits though suots is the least appealing of them.

te most recent stuff i binged was Mentalist because Sean makes fun of it in Psych, i said “let me see how good/bad this is”. it is actually a great show and nothing like psych, and some good guest stars, though they had a TON of redheaded guest stars in the first season which i thought was a thing tied to the killer, but looking it up on reddit etc no one has pointed it out so maybe i just noticed it because the killer is named Red John. highly recommend this one.

and man oh man, they moved Doom Patrol from their no defunct DC pay channel to HBO max and i binged that show, and i gotta say it’s probly the best “supers” show i have ever seen, it’s right up my ally as far as interests, especially the character of Jane. the rest of the cast is really good too and man i just cannot get over how GOOD the writing is, especially the third season. the second season does drag a little because of a new character that is introduced, but they leave at the beginning of season 3. my most high recommendation. i even went and bought the trade papaerback of the comic run the show is based on, even though it is different. just loved this show.

silentdante

you dont need to know DC to watch Doom Patrol and it doesnt really connect with anything else. the only cross over character is cyborg i believe but even this cyborg is different.

Almost Human… are you talking about the cyberpunk show with Karl Urban, or is this something else, although ithink the almost human in my mind was on FOX, but i LOVED that show

Josh

DAG’s appearance on Bones was a classic. He was delightful.


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