The "King of the Cowboys" appeared in over 100 Western films from 1935 to 1951, then switched to TV, where The Roy Rogers Show and later The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show became big hits on early television. But it was all those 1930s and 40s oaters than made him a star in the first place. For more links and information, see the Classic Movies Tribute to Roy Rogers.
Look for videos of Roy Rogers' movies and TV shows at Movies Unlimited.
Walter Brennan
Although Walter Brennan actually had great range and versatility as an actor, he lost most of his teeth as the result of a 1932 accident and thereafter made a career out of playing mainly rustic characters. Even while he was in his 40s, he often played much older than that. He eventually portrayed the ultimate rustic on TV's The Real McCoys. But what many don't realize is that from 1937 to 1942 he was nominated four times for Best Supporting Actor Oscars, winning three (a record), including the very first one ever given. Another interesting fact: Walter Brennan appeared in seven films with Gary Cooper.
Look for videos of Walter Brennan's movies and TV shows at Movies Unlimited.
Considering the country philosopher roles he is best known for, it may come as a surprise that Buddy Ebsen started out as a dancer on Broadway. In the movies, he danced with Eleanor Powell, Judy Garland, and Shirley Temple. He was supposed to play the Scarecrow, then the Tin Woodsman, in "Wizard of Oz", but through a series of circumstances this didn't happen. He eventually turned to non-dancing roles, and became Davy Crockett's sidekick in the popular series of coonskin cap movies in the 50s. He appeared in several more films before moving to television, where he gained fame on The Beverly Hillbillies and Barnaby Jones. Ebsen passed away in July, 2003. Read an interview with him.
Look for videos of Buddy Ebsen's movies and TV shows at Movies Unlimited.
"Mr. Television" wasn't exactly a big hit in the movies previous to his pioneering work with the new medium, but he started at the age of 8, and considering that he turned 90 last year, he's certainly been at it a long time! He moved easily between movies and TV his entire career, and his most notable movies include The Loved One (1965) and
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963). Uncle Miltie sadly left us in March, 2002. Read the tribute article.
Look for videos of Milton Berle's movies and TV shows at Movies Unlimited.
Dick Van Dyke
and Mary Tyler Moore
Here are two stars who are gaining popularity among younger TV viewers just discovering their work on the pioneering Dick Van Dyke Show, not to mention Mary's equally important Mary Tyler Moore Show, thanks to Nick at Night.
After his initial success on TV, Dick appeared in mostly humorous roles in a number of comedies and musicals in the 60s, most notably Mary Poppins (1964), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), and Bye Bye Birdie (1963), before returning to television.
Mary Tyler Moore also tried her luck with the big screen in the 60s, starring in Thoroughly Modern Millie in 1967, but quickly returned to TV, where she achieved great critical success in her own show. She appeared in several more films in the 80s, including Ordinary People in 1980, for which she won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. She returned to TV, making a number of well-received made-for-TV movies. Her MTM Enterprises was responsible for a number of hit TV shows in the 70s and 80s, and she continues to be active in social causes.
Look for videos of Dick Van Dyke's movies and TV shows at Movies Unlimited.
Look for videos of Mary Tyler Moore's movies and TV shows at Movies Unlimited.
Alan Hale Jr.
Some might be surprised to know that the beloved, bumbling Skipper from Gilligan's Island had a long movie career beginning in 1941 and continuing until the early 60s. Although the films included a lot of low-budget war movies and westerns, there were a few standouts, including All Mine to Give (1957), It Happens Every Spring (1949), and Kill the Umpire (1950). He was known as a reliable supporting actor with a good comic touch.
Look for videos of Alan Hale Jr's movies and TV shows at Movies Unlimited.
Fred MacMurray
Fred had already had himself a pretty good movie career numbering 80 films (not to mention a career in Vaudeville before that) when he decided to try TV and ended up appearing on My Three Sons for 12 years. After that it was pretty much comedies and Disney films (he and Walt were buddies). But in the 30s, 40s, and 50s he appeared in many dramas and Westerns, sometimes as the hero, often as the bad guy or as an anti-hero (his best roles, really), including perhaps his best-known serious role, as the insurance salesman in Double Indemnity with Barbara Stanwyck. Besides the Disney movies, other notable Fred MacMurray films have included The Caine Mutiny (1954),
The Apartment (1960),
Murder, He Says (1945), and
The Trail of the Lonesome Pine (1936), among many others.
Look for videos of Fred MacMurray's movies and TV shows at Movies Unlimited.
That's it for now. This is not a definitive list, by any means. You can probably name many more classic stars who also appeared on TV, such as Dinah Shore, Loretta Young, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, William Bendix, Jack Benny, Martha Raye, Spring Byington, Ward Bond, Lloyd Bridges, Ann Sothern, Marjorie Main, Jane Wyatt, Jane Wyman, and Shirley Booth.
Part I
Part II
