Which Sitcom Has Had the Most Successful Cast Members?

The term 'sitcom' has been a vital part of modern television, with its blend of humor and storytelling captivating audiences for decades. A significant factor in the success of a sitcom often extends beyond just the show itself, affecting the careers of its cast members. We'll explore which sitcom has had the most successful cast members by examining key shows and their afterward success story.

GreaterThan Taxi: The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977)

Many would argue that The Mary Tyler Moore Show holds the title of having the most successful cast members after their participation in the series. Post the show's end in 1977, virtually everyone who starred in the cast went on to have remarkably successful careers, land multiple starring or co-starring roles in popular television and film projects.

Cast Success Stories

1. Mary Tyler Moore: The star of the show, Mary Tyler Moore, continued to dominate the entertainment industry with her subsequent roles. Notably, she starred in Parenthood and Simply Irresistible, maintained a highly successful talk show for several years, and received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career.

2. Betty White: Her role as Rhonda Mokeson on The Mary Tyler Moore Show led to a long and accomplished career. Betty White has starred in numerous successful television series and films, including The Golden Girls, Hot in Cleveland, Happiest Season, and Always Something There to Remind Me. She is known for her lengthy and diverse career accomplishments and has achieved a remarkable level of fame and success.

3. Tony Randall: Tony Randall not only starred in The Mary Tyler Moore Show as Ted Baxter, but he also had a long and successful acting career. He appeared in many critically acclaimed films, such as The Producers and Mrs. Doubtfire. Additionally, he maintained a successful acting career on stage and starred in various television shows and films, solidifying his status as an acting legend.

Other Notable Sitcoms and Their Casts

While The Mary Tyler Moore Show stands out for its remarkable success, other sitcoms had their standout performers who also had noteworthy careers. For example, Taxi, starring Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, Tony Danza, Marilu Henner, Carol Kane, and Rhea Perlman, continued to see many of its starring and regular cast members achieve significant fame and success:

tJudd Hirsch: After Taxi, Hirsch went on to contribute to big-budget movies like Independence Day and Running on Empty. tDanny DeVito: DeVito had a successful movie career in the 80s and 90s, famously starring in Getting Even and producing It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. tChristopher Lloyd: Known for his role in the Back to the Future trilogy, Lloyd also had leading roles in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? tTony Danza: Danza starred in another hit sitcom, A Different World, and had roles in movies and talk shows. tMarilu Henner: She gained recognition for her role in the 80s film Family Plot and starred in another hit sitcom, Benson, in the early 90s. tCarol Kane: She had a recurring role on Taxi but went on to have roles in many films and TV shows. tRhea Perlman: Perlman owned a recurring role on Taxi before landing a role on Cheers and appearing in numerous other films and TV series.

Comparing to Other Iconic Sitcoms

At times, other iconic sitcoms have also produced noteworthy actors. For instance, Johnny Carson, from Welcome Back, Kotter, Tom Hanks, from Bosom Buddies, Ron Howard, from Andy Griffith, and Happy Days, Will Smith, from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Robin Williams, from Mork Mindy, and Michael J. Fox, from Family Ties, all had successful careers post their sitcoms. However, the general trend with most sitcoms is that the rest of the cast members struggled to maintain similar levels of fame and success after the series ended.

Conclusion: An Uneven Success Story

In conclusion, while numerous sitcoms have produced memorable and beloved casts, it's The Mary Tyler Moore Show that stands out for its cast members' collective success. Each of the show's performers maintained a successful and long-lasting career, with notable contributions to the film and television industry well beyond the confines of the series. This unconventional career trajectory sets The Mary Tyler Moore Show apart as a standout in the world of sitcoms.