Casual Fridays

I've been watching the first season of "The Equalizer", starring the very talented Edward Woodward, largely because I just can't watch reality television shows. By the way, he was VERY funny in "Hot Fuzz" ("it's for the Greater Good"). Anyway, other than getting a severe flashback on the 1980s, I am just very struck by all the major stars who were just starting out and had bit roles in this series. For example:

• Pilot: Jerry Stiller (Seinfeld), David Proval (Supranos)
• Episode 3: Mellissa Leo (Homicide)
• Episode 4: Adam Ant, Lori Petty (Tank Girl), J.T. Walsh
• Episode 5: Esai Morales (NYPD Blue)
• Episode 6: Burt Young (Rocky's brother-in-law)
• Episode 7: Bradley Whitford (West Wing), Ed O'Neill (Married with Children)
• Episode 8: Saul Rubinek (Frasier)
• Episode 9: Christine Baranski (Cybil)
• Episode 10: Charles Dutton (Roc)
• Episode 14: James Gammon (Major League's coach)
• Episode 16: Robert Davi (Die Hard, special agent)
• Episode 17: Melissa Joan Hart, Patricia Richardson (Home Improvement)
• Episode 18: Kim Delaney (NYPD Blue)
• Episode 19: Patricia Clarkson, Tony Shalhoub (Monk), Dann Florek (Law & Order)
• Episode 20: Laurie Metcalf (Roseann)
• Episode 21: Dan Hedaya (Dick), Jon Polito (Homicide) - actually had three different characters over four years on this show

I'm probably disregarding some stand-out actors who just don't have photos in IMDB, but again, the amazing thing here is that with nearly all of these 24 actors, they were just starting out in acting roles (okay, maybe not Jerry Stiller) and someone was smart enough to recruit them into this series for small guest parts. Two decades later, there's quite a few who've done very well. I wonder who I'm going to bump into in the second season?

Comments

[Jack]

I have got to get that DVD. I came to Equalizer late, when it was in reruns... Really liked it.

I didnt know it had so many stars to be in its casting.. will look for that..

As usual, you have a great blog, with different topics, and not afraid to have fun..
(loved the Aussies invading NZ videos!!)

Jack

[Sock Puppet of the Great Satan]

Antoehr great series starring Ed Woodward was "Callan", a UK spy series.

And of course you're seen the original "Wicker Man". If not, do. Chilling.