| 1 | * The entire cast of ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' suffered from this: |
| 2 | ** Most have come to accept it with some degree of dignity; witness Creator/LeonardNimoy's later book, ''I Am Spock''. Though it should be noted that was written partly to counter the misconception that he hated the character after having previously written the book that gave this trope its name, rather than just being annoyed by the association (the very intro of ''I Am Not Spock'' is Nimoy saying he still liked playing the Vulcan). The fallout from the book title almost cost him the director's chair in ''Film/StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock'', so it wasn't so humorous then. |
| 3 | ** The title is taken verbatim from an encounter that Nimoy had with an eight-year-old fan in an airport; when the boy's mother introduced the actor as, "Your favorite character! Mister Spock!," the boy looked Nimoy up and down and couldn't see Spock in this loser stranger. |
| 4 | ** When Nimoy started his recording career with Dot Records (the idea came from Dot's Charles Randolph Grean -- inspired by the massive amount of tie-in merchandise for the show, which had appeared almost ''immediately'' after the premier in September 1966, he'd presented Desilu exec Herb Solow with the idea for a ''Star Trek'' record, and Solow proposed it to Nimoy[[note]]"I think we should push any record company that wants to do an outer space or Vulcan or any other single record or album, be it straight dramatic music, weird music, Nichelle Nichols singing, Bill Shatner doing bird calls or even the sound of Gene Roddenberry polishing a semi-precious stone on his grinder," Nimoy remembers Solow saying[[/note]]) his first album was ''Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr. Spock's Music from Outer Space'' with songs and recitations supposed to be by Spock along with a couple such as "Where Is Love" clearly meant to be by Nimoy. It was wildly successful, and Nimoy signed a long-term contract with Dot. The second album, ''Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy'', was ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin. His next three albums were all Nimoy. |
| 5 | ** Creator/WilliamShatner has managed to escape this by now, if only by being typecast instead [[AdamWesting as a caricature of himself]], of which Kirk is just one example among many. He was actually typecast so badly that when his first wife divorced him and took all the money, he was unable to find work. He was rescued by Marcy Lafferty, who became his second wife; she was independently wealthy. Shatner eventually recorded a song about it; [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsKfZ3wvLkE "Real"]], a duet with Music/BradPaisley. |
| 6 | ** Even diehard ''Series/BabylonFive'' fans had a hard time not thinking of Creator/WalterKoenig's MagnificentBastard, Alfred Bester, as "Evil Chekov". Creator/JMichaelStraczynski stated that he hired Walter Koenig because of this. He wanted to give him a chance to show his range as an actor. Koenig later referred to Bester as his favorite role of his career for this reason. |
| 7 | ** In his autobiography, Scotty actor Creator/JamesDoohan relayed stories of casting calls he got after ''Star Trek'' where he would read for a part only to be asked by the casting directors, "So where's the accent?" He expresses gratitude to producer Creator/AaronSpelling, who, when he was hired for a guest role on the ''Series/{{Hotel|1983}}'' TV series, told Doohan he was hired for his acting, not the accent, and it was up to him whether he wanted to use it or not. |
| 8 | ** The cast of the modern ''Franchise/StarTrek'' series didn't do a lot better: |
| 9 | *** Creator/BrentSpiner wishes people would stop calling him Data. This was [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] in an episode of ''Series/{{Joey}}'' where he guest starred AsHimself. He saw it coming, too. In an interview with ''Magazine/TVGuide'' on the GrandFinale of ''The Next Generation'', he said that for the rest of his career, he would be "That guy who played Data!" He has also made a self-deprecating cameo appearance on ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'', trying to break even by selling Data collectible toys out of his car. Spiner once famously joked that his autobiography would be titled "I am not Spock, Either!" |
| 10 | *** Creator/MichaelDorn's best remembered for his role as Worf. His Twitter account is even [=@akaWorf=], so he at least seems to have a sense of humor about it. |
| 11 | *** Creator/PatrickStewart couldn't escape from being Jean-Luc Picard until he became [[Film/XMenFilmSeries Professor Charles Xavier]] and [[WesternAnimation/AmericanDad Deputy Director Bullock]]. And then he returned to Picard in ''Series/StarTrekPicard'', although with reluctance at first. |
| 12 | *** [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxann_Dawson Roxann Dawson]] (B'Elanna Torres) looks very strange to Trek fans without her Klingon forehead. She has tried to avoid this by quitting acting in favor of (TV) directing. Same with Robert Duncan [=McNeill=] (a producer on ''Series/{{Chuck}}''), Creator/JonathanFrakes (producer on ''Series/{{Leverage}}''), Creator/LeVarBurton (TV director and [[Series/ReadingRainbow TV educationalist]]). |
| 13 | *** Burton has zigzagged around this, since he's also famous for starring in ''Series/Roots1977'' and hosting ''Series/ReadingRainbow''. In fact, when ''TNG'' first premiered, ''he'' was the biggest name in the cast.[[note]]In the United States; in Britain, veteran Shakespearean actor Stewart was better known.[[/note]] He at least accepted his role fairly well and inserted his character into an episode of ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' he was directing ("Timeless"), rather than having a stand-in. It made the audience more sympathetic to both sides of the dilemma. He has also made self-deprecating cameo appearances on ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' and ''Series/{{Community}}''. |
| 14 | *** Creator/WilWheaton seems resigned to this and is prepared to send up his post-TNG life with his cameo appearances on ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'', in which the best acting gigs he can get are straight-to-video B-movies like ''Killer Gorilla'' and bit-parts like co-hosting Sheldon Cooper's internet podcast ''Fun with Flags''. Wheaton is also ButtMonkey for barbed jokes by Sheldon and others about his acting career after TNG. |
| 15 | *** Those who don't think of Will Riker when they see Creator/JonathanFrakes probably think of [[WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}} David Xanatos]] when they hear him. |
| 16 | *** Creator/JohnDeLancie is having a hard time escaping his association with the iconic Q. It doesn't help that he later voice acted a Q {{expy}}, albeit a villainous one, named Discord, in ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic''. And [=DeLancie=] later voiced another benevolent scientist whose name begins with a "Q": Professor Quadrangle from ''VideoGame/QuantumConundrum''. |
| 17 | *** This has afflicated Creator/RobertPicardo from ''Star Trek Voyager''; it's hard to see his character from ''Series/StargateAtlantis'' as anything but the EMH in a different uniform. (Of course, some of us remember him from ''Film/TheHowling'', rendering the spaceman thing very, very weird. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLhFLStC4-Q Bright boy]].). |
| 18 | *** Creator/AndrewRobinson has admitted he hated the Season 5 ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' episode "[[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS05E24EmpokNor Empok Nor]]", where Garak is accidentally exposed to an experimental drug that turns him into a xenophobic, psychopathic killer. Despite having a wide range, including as a Shakespearean actor, his breakout performance as the Scorpio Killer in ''Film/DirtyHarry'' was considered so convincing that he received both death threats and found himself typecast into "psycho" roles afterwards. After decades of struggling to throw off this image, he was very uneasy and disappointed to be thrust back into that kind of role and also felt it didn't make sense for a character who had become acknowledged as being one of the most complex creations in the franchise. |
| 19 | * ''Series/ILoveLucy'', Creator/VivianVance was always called "Ethel" and never Vivian. So, when she was asked to join Creator/LucilleBall on Series/TheLucyShow, one of her requirements was to have her new character be named Vivian. |
| 20 | * ''Series/BabylonFive'': |
| 21 | ** The cast generally accepted that this would happen to them with quite a bit of grace and alacrity. It helps that they ''all'' loved the show and understood the affection the fans have for the it; to quote the late Creator/JerryDoyle, "If I'm typecast as a space cop, well, that's fine, because I got to play a space cop on one of the best shows ever. What, should I prefer poverty?" |
| 22 | ** Creator/AndreasKatsulas, who played G'Kar, did manage to avoid this trap, by already being well known as a film bad guy. Although wildly famous among science fiction fans as ''Babylon 5''[='=]s G'Kar and ''ST:TNG''[='=]s Commander Tomalak, his most famous role is one outside of science fiction: he played Frederick Sykes, the one-armed man in the Creator/HarrisonFord film of ''Film/TheFugitive'' (he was right up there with his castmates, though, in not caring about typecasting either way because he adored the G'kar character). It also helped that he was just generally well-known in the professional theater scene in his native Greece, and had no trouble getting all kinds of work there even after ''[=B5=]'' ended and his Hollywood carerr wound down generally. |
| 23 | ** Creator/BruceBoxleitner was already well-known for a variety of roles (and has continued to work steadily since). Creator/MiraFurlan is probably now better remembered as Danielle Rosseau from ''Series/{{Lost}}'', and like Katsulas was (and still is) tremendously well-respected in her country of birth (in this case, Croatia). She did gently remind interviewers that, yes, she has played characters not named Delenn or Danielle Rousseau, but like her castmates welcomed the adoration Delenn receives from fans and remained fond of the character and the show until the very end of her life. Bill Mumy, however, will ''always'' remain [[Series/LostInSpace Will Robinson]] for most people, or occasionally [[Recap/TheTwilightZoneS3E73ItsAGoodLife Anthony Fremont]]. |
| 24 | ** The only major exception to this was Creator/JeffConaway, but this is largely because some of the typecasting and pigeon-holing he received as a result of ''[=B5=]'' exacerbated his problems with substance abuse (which he fell into as a result of trying to manage chronic pain due to injuries from his ''Film/{{Grease}}'' days). Toward the end, prior to his passing in 2011, he was struggling generally, and regarded the show as just one more way things had gone wrong. |
| 25 | * ''Series/TheXFiles'': |
| 26 | ** Creator/DavidDuchovny as Fox Mulder. Although he's managed to become Hank Moody of ''Series/{{Californication}}'' since then. |
| 27 | ** Creator/GillianAnderson as Dana Scully, initially. She lived in England as a child and moved back after ''The X-Files'' finished its run precisely to avoid this. But after critically and commercially successful appearances on shows like ''Series/TheFall2013'', ''Series/TheCrown'' and ''Series/SexEducation'', it's fair to say she's escaped the shadow of ''The X-Files'' to be seen as a versatile actress in her own right. |
| 28 | * Creator/JaleelWhite suffers horribly from his inability to be separated from his character that he played in ''Series/FamilyMatters''. Since that show, he has held only a handful of very minor TV and movie roles due to it. He later attempted to radically change his appearance in order to disassociate with Steve Urkel. Even on ''Family Matters'', White tried to show that he wasn't just Steve Urkel; he played Myrtle Urkel, Steve's female cousin on a few occasions, and also a [[TheCasanova suave, ladies' man]] version of himself. Although he ''has'' tried to distance himself from the character, including starring in a UPN show, ''Grown Ups'', which only lasted for one season, he doesn't resent the fact that he will forever be known as "Steve Urkel" and always speaks fondly about the role, which allowed him far more creative freedom than many of his later appearances. In the movie ''Film/BigFatLiar'', his AdamWesting includes screaming at his film's {{jerkass}} producer about never remembering his actual name. |
| 29 | --->How many times have I told you not to call me Urkel! My name is Jaleel White! |
| 30 | ** Additionally, to cartoon and video game fans, he ''is'' [[WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog Sonic]] [[WesternAnimation/SonicTheHedgehogSatAM the]] [[WesternAnimation/SonicUnderground Hedgehog]]. |
| 31 | * ''Series/DoctorWho'': |
| 32 | ** Creator/TomBaker will forever be seen as the [[Characters/DoctorWhoFourthDoctor Fourth Doctor]] no matter how much he wants not to (and he really, ''really'' doesn't want to). After playing the role he spent several decades only able to play crazy {{Large Ham}}s or spooky, otherworldly geniuses, or as characters who directly inspired the Doctor's character (Literature/SherlockHolmes, Creator/OscarWilde, etc). He also came under pressure to perform these roles in the style of the Doctor ("in all but whipping out a Sonic Screwdriver"), because this was all people wanted to see him do and there was no point casting him to do anything else. Before he took the part he was considered unusually talented and was winning awards for being an up-and-coming star. After he left the part, he was (in the words of Creator/StevenMoffat) "a mad, sad, bad old ham locked away safely in a voiceover booth". Late in his life, with short, wavy white hair and ''Doctor Who'' remembered only by TV nostalgia shows and hardcore SF anoraks, he was able to get non-{{Expy}} roles in soap operas and sitcoms that allowed him to act in a different style, but interviews suggest he has a certain amount of bitterness over being forced to waste his talent simply because he was very good in one part. He has mellowed a ''lot'' in his 70s and 80s (better late than never). After years of refusing to even talk about the show, he appeared in the 50th anniversary episode "[[Recap/DoctorWho50thASTheDayOfTheDoctor The Day of the Doctor]]" and was prominently featured in the publicity surrounding it, and he continues to play the role of the Fourth Doctor in audio productions. |
| 33 | ** In fact, this applies to most of the actors who have played the title role, with the exception of Creator/PaulMcGann and Creator/ChristopherEccleston, who both played the Doctor for very short periods, and Creator/PeterDavison, who had another starring role in ''Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall'' at the same time, and has had a varied career since, thanks in part to taking Creator/PatrickTroughton's (Doctor #2) advice to leave the role after 3 seasons. Creator/DavidTennant seemed to be purposely doing a varied amount of side roles in other works in order to avoid this, despite the fact he was essentially [[PromotedFanboy living out his childhood dream of playing the Doctor]] - when the show took a break of sorts in 2009 he played Theatre/{{Hamlet}}.[[note]]Contrary to popular belief, the show didn't take a break so that he could play ''Hamlet''; it did so to ease the change of production teams in 2010 and Tennant simply put the massive gap to good use.[[/note]] For the most part, Tennant succeeded; he's still definitely well-known as the Doctor, but not ''just'' the Doctor like so many of his fellows. |
| 34 | ** Creator/PatrickTroughton, the [[Characters/DoctorWhoSecondDoctor Second Doctor]], was a highly successful character actor before Doctor Who and became one again almost immediately after leaving the programme. He was always recognized as the Doctor for the rest of his life, and loved doing conventions, but he did more than enough stuff that he was often recognized for his other work too. A combination of being one of the most versatile and talented actors to play the part combined with always keeping a sharp distinction between himself and all of his roles probably both helped a great deal with that. |
| 35 | ** Creator/JonPertwee got a double dose of the typecasting both as the [[Characters/DoctorWhoThirdDoctor Third Doctor]] and as scarecrow Literature/WorzelGummidge, but as both were roles he thoroughly enjoyed, he seemed to be more accepting of it. Jon Pertwee was, in fact, so fond of the Doctor that he rarely passed up an opportunity to appear in character, whether on TV, radio, or on stage at fan conventions. Most touchingly, his final formal television appearance just a few weeks before his death was on ''Cilla's Surprise Surprise'' where he granted a young boy's wish to meet his favourite Doctor. In the '60s and early '70s, he also got a small dose of it playing "CPO Jon Pertwee", a fast-talking con-artist of a Navy NCO in BBC Radio's ''Radio/TheNavyLark''. |
| 36 | *** Oddly, Pertwee's son, Creator/SeanPertwee, has been typecast himself, though in direct contrast to his dad, Sean tends to be favoured for "Well 'ard", Cockney military types. |
| 37 | ** Creator/WilliamHartnell may have avoided the fate by default, as he left ''Doctor Who'' because of dramatically declining health. He was dying and knew it when he was called back to reprise his role in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS10E1TheThreeDoctors The Three Doctors]]". |
| 38 | ** Creator/SophieAldred, Creator/SylvesterMcCoy and Creator/ColinBaker are also Ace, the Seventh Doctor and the Sixth Doctor. |
| 39 | ** Sylvester [=McCoy's=] [[Film/TheHobbit turn as Radagast the Brown lessened this slightly.]] |
| 40 | ** In Colin Baker's case, it's almost inverted. Despite the rough time he had during his tenure, Baker ''never'' lost his love and enthusiasm for ''Doctor Who''. |
| 41 | ** Creator/ElisabethSladen was, is, and will forever be Sarah Jane Smith. |
| 42 | ** Inverted with Creator/AnthonyAinley, the fourth actor to play [[Characters/DoctorWhoMasters the Master]], who after a successful string of works retired from acting except to play the Master. He would answer the phone, write letters to publications, and make public appearances, almost invariably in character. |
| 43 | * Creator/JamesVanDerBeek will probably be forever be known as [[Series/DawsonsCreek Dawson]]. It doesn't help that he [[AdamWesting parodied]] himself in that role on ''Series/DontTrustTheBInApartment23'', which painted the show and its aftermath as a breeding ground for his narcissism. |
| 44 | * The reported reason for Tiffany Brissette's early retirement from acting was her fear of being remembered only as Vicki from ''Series/SmallWonder'' and being cast accordingly. |
| 45 | * Creator/AdamWest: |
| 46 | ** Will always be remembered as "the campy Series/{{Batman|1966}}" (or, if you prefer, "the Bright Knight"), and [[AdamWesting he ended up being just fine with that]]. Judging from a lot of his [[OldSuperhero later roles]], he started appearing to be typecast as the guy who was typecast. He followed William Shatner's route of [[IAmNotLeonardNimoy "hey, it's William Shatner!" roles]] to the point of playing himself in ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'', in one of the most surreal characters this side of [[WebAnimation/HomestarRunner Homsar]] (Mayor West is probably his best known character besides Batman).[[note]]Yvonne Craig, who probably quit acting shortly after doing this show for this exact reason, later theorized that West got typecast especially badly because he'd used his everyday speaking cadence for Batman, making casting directors at auditions think he'd play ''every'' role in that vein.[[/note]] |
| 47 | ** His role as the [[WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries The Gray]] [[WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond Ghost]] stars an actor who played a superhero on TV, and is typecast for it. At first, he hates the typecasting, but when he finds out Batman was his biggest fan and the Batcave is a replica of his home base from his TV show, he helps Batman catch someone who is imitating an episode of his show. Later on, Bruce tells him the same line he did as Batman, which clues him in on who he is. |
| 48 | * ''Series/{{Cheers}}'' and ''{{Series/Frasier}}'': |
| 49 | ** Creator/KelseyGrammer will probably always be identified with his eponymous role in ''Series/{{Frasier}}'' (that, and [[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons Sideshow Bob]]). After all, he not only played it for 11 years in that show, but portrayed the same character for 9 years before that in ''Series/{{Cheers}}''. Though he has won a lot of acclaim (including a Golden Globe) for playing the main character in ''Boss''. Mayor Kane is certainly intelligent and articulate like Frasier, but is also extremely profane, violent, cruel and calculating. A far cry from the arrogant but ultimately lovable character he's so identified with. Even under the furry blue makeup of [[Film/XMenTheLastStand Beast]], he was still essentially playing Frasier, though of course [[ComicBook/{{Beast|MarvelComics}} the character]] is like that even when not played by Grammer. |
| 50 | ** Creator/GeorgeWendt has noted that he can't walk into bars without everyone calling out "NORM!" It got annoying after a while. |
| 51 | ** Creator/ShelleyLong has noted that a major reason her post-''Cheers'' roles in the '80s were limited to romantic comedies (despite her clear dramatic talent) was that studios assumed audiences wouldn't accept her in a role that wasn't at least a mild {{Expy}} of Diane Chambers. |
| 52 | * ''Series/{{ER}}'': |
| 53 | ** Creator/EriqLaSalle held a press conference to talk about his TV movie, ''Relative Stranger'', but the only questions he was being asked were about his time on ''ER''. He'll be Peter Benton for the rest of his life. In fact, most of the stars of ''ER'' suffer from this somewhat, aside from the [[Creator/GeorgeClooney obvious exception]]. No matter what they're in, when people see Anthony Edwards, Noah Wyle, Laura Innes, Gloria Reuben, Abraham Benrubi, etc., they shout hey, they're from ''ER''! |
| 54 | ** Creator/AlexKingston decided to defy this trope by breaking out of being typecast as Dr. Corday... and breaking ''into'' being typecast as [[Series/DoctorWho River Song]]. |
| 55 | * Jerry Mathers as "[[Series/LeaveItToBeaver The Beaver!]]" ''Series/{{SCTV}}'' satirized this with the ''Leave it to Beaver'' 25th Anniversary sketch with Creator/JohnCandy playing the role of Jerry Mathers as the Beaver. |
| 56 | * Hervé Villechaize's suicide was heavily rumored to be in part caused by his inescapable recognition by fans as Tattoo from ''Series/FantasyIsland''. |
| 57 | * ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'': |
| 58 | ** Creator/MichaelRichards will forever be known as Kramer. [[NWordPrivileges If he's lucky]]. The rest of the ''Seinfeld'' cast is doomed in the same manner, save Creator/JerrySeinfeld himself, who wisely stayed out of acting for a long time after the end of the show. For a long-time, there was the Seinfeld Curse, in which any show that starred a ''Seinfeld'' alum would be dead on arrival and cancelled after one season, which was true until Julia Louis-Dreyfus's moderately successful ''Series/TheNewAdventuresOfOldChristine''. |
| 59 | ** Creator/JasonAlexander has actually said he is thankful for ''Seinfeld'' typecasting him; before, he was known as the '[[Film/PrettyWoman Guy who tried to rape]] Creator/JuliaRoberts.' |
| 60 | ** Creator/JuliaLouisDreyfus, who has found success as [[Series/TheNewAdventuresOfOldChristine Old Christine]] and [[Series/{{Veep}} Vice President Selina Meyer]]. |
| 61 | ** The "[[PhraseCatcher Hello Newman]]" thing has haunted Creator/WayneKnight throughout his career. One time after a series of not so fortunate events happened, someone went up to him and said that very line to him; he apparently got mad and punched the guy. Although Knight is known to play other {{Fat Bastard}}s. |
| 62 | * Paul Zaloom, political puppeteer, is quite fondly remembered as [[Series/BeakmansWorld Beakman]]. Woe be to any parent who brings their kids to his ''very'' adult-themed puppet shows. |
| 63 | * A less extreme example: It would seem that Creator/RichardDeanAnderson could not quite shake his old role in ''Series/{{MacGyver|1985}}'' in the early days of ''Series/StargateSG1''. In one episode, Creator/AmandaTapping played a prank on him by going off script and began yelling at him for being unable to find a way out of the mess they were in, pointing out that [=MacGyver=] would have been able to do it easily. Given that Tapping reportedly got her role by ad libbing a small [=MacGyver=] reference into the scene they used for her audition (which made it into the final script: "It took us fifteen years and three supercomputers to [=MacGyver=] a system for the gate on Earth"), I think Anderson's not exactly unhappy about it. Anderson has since then managed to truly be O'Neill, which is referenced in ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS17E17KissKissBangBangalore Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore]]" where Patty and Selma kidnap "[=MacGyver=]", who they're obsessed with. He's in Springfield because of a ''Stargate'' convention. |
| 64 | * Creator/BruceCampbell, a.k.a. "Don't call me [[Franchise/EvilDead Ash]]", what with being so firmly tied to one character that people have a hard time remembering his real name at conventions, despite having had excellent roles in several television series and having done a great deal of voice acting since. This has happened so often he's gone and made a movie about it. It's called ''Film/MyNameIsBruce'', and it features Bruce as himself, who everyone expects to save them from an ancient Chinese demon. He later got past this due to his role as Sam Axe on ''Series/BurnNotice''. |
| 65 | * After ''Series/DiffrentStrokes'', Gary Coleman only played himself. This was likely due to the congenital kidney disorder which halted his growth in childhood as much as it's the result of his typecasting as Arnold. |
| 66 | * ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' and ''Series/{{Angel}}'': |
| 67 | ** Although Creator/SarahMichelleGellar did become a star in the late 90s and 2000s, she's still best known as Buffy Summers. She even says that when she's acting [[IAmNotLeonardNimoy she's just playing Sarah in a costume]]. Buffy is her most remembered role twenty years later. |
| 68 | ** Creator/AlysonHannigan must say a prayer of gratitude every night for ''Film/AmericanPie'' and ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'', the two roles that saved her from being typecast as Willow. |
| 69 | ** Creator/NicholasBrendon never had another notable role and to this day is best known as Xander. |
| 70 | ** Creator/CharismaCarpenter has had mostly AlphaBitch-styled roles ever since playing Cordelia. |
| 71 | ** Creator/DavidBoreanaz has spoken of this type of problem. Fans had a tendency to ask him about ''Angel'' while he was trying to move on and play other roles, i.e. Booth on ''Series/{{Bones}}''. |
| 72 | ** Creator/ElizaDushku to this day is still referred to as Faith. Not helping is that her other best known roles used some of Faith's traits, like [[Film/TrueLies Dana]] (rebellious teenager), [[Film/BringItOn Missy]] (outsider with some massive LesYay with a blonde cheerleader), [[Film/JayAndSilentBobStrikeBack Sissy]] (criminal who is HellBentForLeather), and [[WesternAnimation/HulkAndTheAgentsOfSmash She-Hulk]] (hot chick with superpowers). |
| 73 | ** Creator/JamesMarsters is still very much associated with Spike. Unless you're a ''Franchise/{{Dragon Ball}}'' fan, in which case he's known for either portraying Piccolo in the widely panned ''Film/DragonBallEvolution'' or for the more well-received role of voicing Zamasu in ''Anime/DragonBallSuper''. He's also the voice of ''Series/TheDresdenFiles'', having read all the audio books. (You'll be forgiven if you thing Kyle from Grave Peril is an {{expy}}.) |
| 74 | ** Creator/AmberBenson ultimately retired from acting and became an author instead, so Tara is her best-known role. |
| 75 | * ''Series/FatherTed'': |
| 76 | ** Creator/ArdalOHanlon gets annoyed by people going to his stand-up comedy gigs expecting him to perform [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzYzVMcgWhg 'My Lovely Horse']]. He also sometimes complains that people come up to his family in the street to [[ImStandingRightHere ask his wife, right in front of him]] if he's as stupid in real life as Dougal was in the show, even though he's played Detective Mooney in ''Series/DeathInParadise'' since finishing ''Father Ted'' and no-one ever expects him to be as smart as a detective. |
| 77 | ** This got so bad that Creator/PaulineMcLynn refused to appear in the documentary about the show. She has however gone on to be a successful novelist. |
| 78 | * Creator/JoshPeck is well known for being the goofy stepbrother of Creator/DrakeBell's character in ''Series/DrakeAndJosh''. Although his new film ''Film/TheWackness'' gave him the chance to break through the child star mold. He'll still be that cute kid from Nickelodeon to some though. Drake also fits, because while Josh Peck had some success with ''Film/RedDawn2012'', Drake hasn't seen any major screen acting roles since the show ended, turning to a (fairly steady) voice acting career instead until a wave of pedophilia allegations in 2021. |
| 79 | * ''Series/GilligansIsland'': |
| 80 | ** The entire cast got this, with the possible exception of Jim Backus (who's best remembered as Mr. Magoo). Alan Hale and Dawn Wells embraced the recognition, but Tina Louise took it very, very hard. For years afterward, she blamed the show for ruining her "serious" acting career. This is [[AdamWesting Played with]] when Bob Denver guest starred on ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' - "And another thing! When people come up to me and say, 'Hey, little buddy!', and hit me over the head with a hat, that's not funny. That hurts!" Cue oblivious, uproarious laughter. What's even funnier is that Bob Denver was notoriously known as Maynard G. Krebs from ''Series/TheManyLovesOfDobieGillis'' before ''Series/GilligansIsland''. |
| 81 | ** Lampshaded in ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000: TheMovie'' when they notice that Russell Johnson (a.k.a. The Professor) plays one of the characters in the old movie they're watching. |
| 82 | --->''"So, you say that you made this car out of coconuts?"'' |
| 83 | ---> Also, ''"What's this 'and the rest' crap?"'' |
| 84 | * Creator/JackieGleason's most memorable role: [[Series/TheHoneymooners Ralph Kramden]]. Some might also remember him as Sheriff Buford T. Justice from the ''Smokey and the Bandit'' films. |
| 85 | * Back in the early '90s, when ''Magazine/NintendoPower'' magazine had a Celebrity Profile section, Joe Regalbuto recalled in the October 1991 article for that section: |
| 86 | -->''There I was, going berserk down the mountain, falling head over heels, and someone shouts, 'Hey, [[Series/MurphyBrown Frank]]!' It can be kind of embarrassing.'' |
| 87 | * Creator/CandiceBergen will always be Series/MurphyBrown. Especially because of a certain [[UsefulNotes/DanQuayle former Vice President of the United States.]] |
| 88 | * Creator/HarryHCorbett, who played Harold Steptoe in the UK sitcom ''Series/SteptoeAndSon'', in the 1960s and 70s. Could be a trope definer; before Steptoe, he was considered to be one of Britain's finest actors -- "The British Creator/MarlonBrando". But Steptoe was a smash hit, and he was unable to break away from it for the rest of his life, despite coming to hate the character, the show, and especially his co-star Creator/WilfridBrambell. (Note for U.S. readers: ''Series/SanfordAndSon'' was based on Steptoe, if you didn't already know that.) |
| 89 | * ''Series/{{MASH}}'': |
| 90 | ** Larry Linville, in particular, could never escape the shadow of Frank Burns. |
| 91 | ** No matter how many corrupt, slimey old dirtbags Creator/AlanAlda plays; no matter how fast he jumps to mind whenever a character of that calibre is created; "Alan Alda" will still always be a synonym for "sensitive guy". |
| 92 | ** Wayne Rogers (who played "Trapper" John [=McIntyre=] on the show) seems to have avoided to some extent -- while he has had a spotty career record since ''M*A*S*H'' (though he did go three seasons as one of the leads of the TV series ''House Calls'' opposite Lynn Redgrave), his later TV appearances has been as a financial commentator on Fox News. Early on, he saved and invested his pay and ended up with sizable wealth and financial acumen. |
| 93 | * Creator/ChrisNoth. He was a cop for a long time (''Series/LawAndOrder'' and ''Series/LawAndOrderCriminalIntent''), and Mr. Big (''Series/SexAndTheCity'') for even longer. He now plays another Mr. Big on CBS's ''Series/TheGoodWife''. |
| 94 | * Creator/PhilSilvers < Sgt Bilko. More people know of the character than the actor who created him; many even forget the show was titled ''Series/ThePhilSilversShow''. |
| 95 | * Creator/ClaireDanes stopped the [[UnCancelled un-cancellation]] of ''Series/MySoCalledLife'' because she didn't want to be remembered for being Angela Chase the rest of her life. Now she's known for her award-winning portrayal of Film/TempleGrandin and as a co-star of the Showtime series, ''Series/{{Homeland}}''. |
| 96 | * ''Series/EastEnders'': |
| 97 | ** Any character from the British soap, but bonus points must be given to Shaun Williamson, otherwise known as [[{{Series/Extras}} Barry from]] ''[=EastEnders=]''. |
| 98 | ** Except for Todd Carty who'll be remembered for his childhood role as Tucker Jenkins on ''Series/GrangeHill''. |
| 99 | ** Wendy Richard could've played Pauline Fowler for another 25 years, and to some of us she would still be [[Series/AreYouBeingServed Miss Brahms]]. |
| 100 | * During a long hiatus between series of ''Series/RedDwarf'', Creator/CraigCharles took a role on long-running soap opera ''Series/CoronationStreet''. Those who knew him as Dave Lister found it impossible to adjust to seeing him as Scouse taxi-driver Lloyd. |
| 101 | * ''Series/{{Heroes}}'': |
| 102 | ** Creator/ZacharyQuinto, who plays Sylar, is starting to get this way, unless you're unfamiliar with ''Heroes'', in which case, he's (ironically) Spock himself. For his first appearance in ''Film/StarTrek2009'', you half expect him to unleash telekinetic whoop ass on the Vulcan council. He's a good enough actor that this effect fades away after the first hour or so and he becomes Spock. Of course, going home and watching an episode of ''Heroes'' after the movie results in ''another'' jarring effect of "Why is Spock evil if he doesn't have that goatee?" |
| 103 | ** Also, Masi Oka is Hiro. To the point where in ''Series/GetSmart'', they had him use Hiro's voice. Note: That isn't his normal speaking voice, his normal voice sounds more like [[FutureBadass Future Hiro]]. He also sounds more like Hiro than himself as the coroner in ''Hawaii Five-O''. In interviews, he also admits that Hiro is basically himself [[{{Keet}} after several cups of coffee]]; later seasons and ''Series/HeroesReborn'' have a calmer, more mature Hiro, to the point that he's nearly AsHimself.[[note]]Certain online information also seems to indicate that he once rented an apartment under the name "Masahiro Oka", presumably because most fans know his full name is Masayori and at least one might be a LoonyFan[[/note]] In some early ''Five-0'' interviews, he seemed to distance himself from the character of Max, saying he bases many of his peculiarities on an old college professor, but as the EarlyInstallmentWeirdness faded and Max has become a beloved recurrent role, he's admitted that there's actually quite a bit of himself in ''that'' character, too. One might wonder if he isn't deliberately encouraging ActorRoleConfusion. |
| 104 | * Though he never had a major television or movie role since playing Arnold Horshack on ''Series/WelcomeBackKotter'', Ron Palillo kept busy acting, directing, and writing for the theater, doing voiceover work, and writing/ illustrating children's books for the remainder of his life. However, he will always be remembered as Horshack. This was [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] in ''Ellen'', when he played a season-long recurring role as "Ron Palillo, TV's Arnold Horshack." |
| 105 | * Gabe Kaplan had a similar problem, according to his stand-up routine: |
| 106 | -->'''Kaplan:''' When people see me now, they don't say, "Are you Gabe Kaplan?". They don't even say, "Are you Mr. Kotter?" They say, [[IAmNotShazam "Are you Welcome Back Kotter?"]] Two women walked up to me at the airport once. One said "Are you Gabe Kaplan?" and the other said "You ain't done shit since, have you?". |
| 107 | * Creator/FrankieMuniz is [[Series/MalcolmInTheMiddle Malcolm]]. His entire family has gone through this, but Creator/BryanCranston was re-Spocked later on as [[Series/BreakingBad Walter White]]. |
| 108 | * ''Series/BreakingBad'': |
| 109 | ** Creator/AaronPaul is often considered inseparable from Jesse Pinkman in the eyes of many TV viewers; most of the roles he's had since then have been Jesse clones since then. |
| 110 | ** Creator/BobOdenkirk was best known as the co-creator and co-star of the cult sketch comedy series ''Series/MrShow'' alongside Creator/DavidCross for years and had a number of bit parts in various TV shows and movies in TheNineties, but the role of sleazy comic relief lawyer Saul Goodman is so synonymous with him that they gave him [[Series/BetterCallSaul a spinoff]]. |
| 111 | ** Creator/GiancarloEsposito will forever be remembered as Gustavo Fring, because of how memorable and chilling a performance he gave in that role. Esposito says that he once scared the bejeezus out of a woman waiting for the bathroom on an airplane who thought he was really Gus, even though he exhibited anything but Gus' TranquilFury. It doesn't help that he's been basically typecast as Gus [[Series/TheMandalorian ever]] [[VideoGame/FarCry6 since]]. |
| 112 | ** While Creator/JonathanBanks has been a character actor for decades, his role as Mike Ehrmantraut is so iconic that it could almost be considered his BreakoutRole, especially since he reprised it in ''Series/BetterCallSaul''. |
| 113 | * ''Series/{{Friends}}'': |
| 114 | ** The cast have had mixed success since the show ended, but they are still remembered, first and foremost, as Monica, Chandler, Joey, Phoebe, Ross and Rachel. Specifically Creator/JenniferAniston fared the best with a good number of movies, and Creator/CourteneyCox is now heading her own show, as was Creator/MatthewPerry before his death in 2023 (both having done several others already), but they still fall prey to 'hey, is this a friends rerun?' But Creator/LisaKudrow's, who's been focusing on her family, has only had a few roles, and Creator/DavidSchwimmer's disappearing behind the camera to direct (exception, Captain Sobel on ''Series/BandOfBrothers''). Creator/MattLeBlanc probably had to work hardest to escape this, as he not only played Joey for ten years on ''Friends'', but played the same character for a brief period afterwards on a positively ''disastrous'' spin-off in which he was the central character. |
| 115 | ** [=LeBlanc=] played himself in the show ''Series/{{Episodes}}'', where he tries to distance himself from Joey. The jury is still out if it'll work, but at the very least, he picked up an Emmy nod for his AdamWesting performance, and won a Golden Globe. |
| 116 | ** It also doesn't help that the cast, except possibly Kudrow, are eerily like their on screen counterparts. Courteney specifically asked to play Monica because she connected to her need to be in control. Matthew Perry admitted he could relate to Chandler's trouble with women and using humor as a defense mechanism. Schwimmer like Ross is the quietest and most intellectual of the gang. Many stories about Matt [=LeBlanc=] ('the guys' guy') could be about Joey. And Jennifer shares a lot of mannerisms and emotional reactions with Rachel. So, yeah shaking their characters off is hard. |
| 117 | ** Cox is the only one who has successfully played characters outside of her 'Friends' persona, which makes sense as she was acknowledged as the most versatile of the gang, even before Friends. Aniston's romantic comedy roles have been very similar to Rachel, Kudrow normally plays a quirky {{Cloudcuckoolander}}, Perry is ''always'' a DeadpanSnarker character and Leblanc has resorted to playing himself. However Cox pulled off the {{Jerkass}} Gale in the Scream films and ditzy Jules on ''Series/CougarTown'' with aplomb. |
| 118 | * ''Series/AllInTheFamily'': |
| 119 | ** Creator/JeanStapleton stated that she wanted to be a screen actress, but never wanted to be a star, because then she'd end up being typecast. Unfortunately, that's just what happened. Stapleton shot herself in the foot when she was offered, but declined, a role that would have saved her from typecasting as Edith: Jessica Fletcher on ''Series/MurderSheWrote''.[[note]]Ironically, this is Creator/AngelaLansbury's own example of this.[[/note]] |
| 120 | ** Creator/RobReiner has claimed to suffer this, stating that if he won a Nobel Prize, all the headlines would read "MEATHEAD WINS NOBEL PRIZE". However, as most may know him as a director, in particular as the director of ''Film/ThePrincessBride'' and ''Film/WhenHarryMetSally''. |
| 121 | ** Creator/CarrollOConnor is also remembered only as Archie. Not even a run on the television version of ''Series/InTheHeatOfTheNight'' was enough to break that. Given that he was the only cast member to stay on through the end of ''Series/ArchieBunkersPlace'', he may have been okay with that. |
| 122 | ** Creator/SallyStruthers is Gloria Stivic. Fortunately, she had a moderately successful career afterwards with shows like ''Series/{{Dinosaurs}}'', ''Series/GilmoreGirls'', and ''WesternAnimation/{{TaleSpin}}''. Nevertheless, none of them hold a candle to the fame she has achieved as Gloria. |
| 123 | * Creator/HenryWinkler will always be [[Series/HappyDays The Fonz]], and is, at the moment, okay with it. He's played against type quite well on ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'' and ''Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit''. |
| 124 | * ''Series/{{Blackadder}}'': Tony Robinson tends to get BumblingSidekick roles reprising his celebrated role as Baldrick. However, Baldrick's appearance in the show's first season is almost a preemptive case of PlayingAgainstType since ''he'' was the one that always came up with the [[CatchPhrase cunning plans]] and Blackadder was the bumbling idiot. He later deliberately cast ''himself'' against type as the Sheriff of Nottingham in ''Series/MaidMarianAndHerMerryMen''. |
| 125 | * Creator/HughLaurie will always be ''{{Series/House}}'', at least outside of Britain. |
| 126 | * Creator/ChristinaRicci = [[Film/TheAddamsFamily Wednesday Addams]]. |
| 127 | * Anytime you see Creator/AshtonKutcher, you'll see [[Series/That70sShow Michael Kelso]]. It doesn't seem to harm his career, though. |
| 128 | * Creator/WilliamDaniels gets this a lot thanks to his famous role as Mr. Feeny from ''Series/BoyMeetsWorld''. Little do most people know he had a very famous role as Dr. Mark Craig on ''Series/StElsewhere''. Even if he didn't get this treatment for playing Mr. Feeny, he certainly would have for being the voice of [[Series/KnightRider KITT]] or playing UsefulNotes/JohnAdams in ''Theatre/SeventeenSeventySix''. Meanwhile, Creator/BenSavage is always going to be Cory Matthews -- or Creator/FredSavage's little brother. Creator/DanielleFishel and Rider Strong haven't had much luck either -- but Will Friedle escaped it with a successful voice acing career, but he's still always Eric on camera. |
| 129 | * Creator/KristenBell will always be ''Series/VeronicaMars''. Fortunately, the role of Anna from ''WesternAnimation/{{Frozen|2013}}'' seems to be changing that. Eleanor in ''Series/TheGoodPlace'' has played a part in that as well. Gamers may also remember her as [[Franchise/AssassinsCreed Lucy Stillman]]. |
| 130 | * This could possibly affect Creator/KieferSutherland for younger viewers who only know him as [[Series/TwentyFour Jack Bauer]]. While Sutherland was involved in numerous movies prior to ''24'' (mainly ''Film/TheLostBoys'' and cult hit ''Film/DarkCity''), he never really stood out in the medium, and was often in the shadow of his actor-father, Donald Sutherland. Even ''24'' co-creator Howard Gordon was initially hesitant to give him the role because of his former "Brat Pack" years. The movies he was involved in during ''24''[='=]s airing (i.e., the sniper in ''Film/PhoneBooth'' and a Jack Bauer Expy in ''Film/TheSentinel2006'') only served to exacerbate his former reputation. Nevertheless, despite the exhaustion Kiefer Sutherland felt during ''24'' (which might've attributed to his off-screen antics like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCiageqMHJc tackling Christmas trees]], and his constant drinking leading him to buzzed interviews and 45 days in jail)), he remains extremely grateful and humble for the years he spent on ''24'', and wouldn't want to take them away for the world. Sutherland did eventually shine in his voice acting performance as Boss/Punished Snake in ''[[VideoGame/MetalGearSolidVThePhantomPain Metal Gear Solid V]]'', replacing Creator/DavidHayter. |
| 131 | * Jake Weber, a.k.a. Joe Dubois on ''Series/{{Medium}}''. Same for Sofia Vassilieva, a.k.a. [[EmbarrassingFirstName Ariel DuBois]]. |
| 132 | * Danny Smith, Brandon Quinn, and Aimee Castle are [[Series/BigWolfOnCampus Merton Dingle, Tommy Dawkins, and Lori Baxter]]. |
| 133 | * Creator/DannyBonaduce is, and always will be, [[Series/ThePartridgeFamily a partridge in a pear tree]]. |
| 134 | * ''Series/{{Firefly}}'': |
| 135 | ** Creator/NathanFillion gets this along with most other members of the cast. It was [[http://xkcd.com/577/ parodied in this xkcd arc]]. Fortunately, he was successfuly able to transition from Malcolm Reynolds to [[Series/Castle2009 Rick Castle]]. Given that ''Firefly'' didn't have a huge following, he was probably much better known for his time on ''Series/DesperateHousewives'' prior to starring in ''Castle''. As time went on and ''Firefly'' began to grow a more mainstream following, Fillion became just as well known as Malcolm Reynolds as he was as Castle. |
| 136 | ** Creator/SummerGlau is alternately identified as River Tam or [[Series/TerminatorTheSarahConnorChronicles Cameron Phillips]], depending on which show people are fans of. This was on ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' when the guys actually meet Summer on a train and completely embarrass themselves by taking turns practically throwing themselves at her and refer to her by her character names just out of her earshot. |
| 137 | ** Creator/AlanTudyk only escapes this when he's doing voice acting (especially for Disney). |
| 138 | * Back in the heyday of pre-Christmas series on German TV, and actually even quite a while after those times, Tommi Ohrner ''was'' Timm Thaler, period. And Patrick Bach ''was'' Silas. Almost nobody ever called these actors by their real names. In order for this attitude to fade, these shows had to remain unaired for some two decades. Tommi Ohrner eventually shook off Timm Thaler when he became ''Thomas'' Ohrner. And Patrick Bach was too old to be Silas anymore when he played Rainer Hellweg in ''Anna'', while Silvia Seidel will remain Anna Pelzer forever. |
| 139 | * In spite of the many films in which he starred as someone entirely different, Götz George is and will forever remain Horst Schimanski, ''Series/{{Tatort}}''[='=]s most badass cop ever with a knack for insane stunts and [[ClusterFBomb Cluster S Bombs]]. |
| 140 | * Applies to the whole ''Series/TheATeam'' main cast. Only sci-fi geeks would associate Creator/DirkBenedict with the ace pilot Starbuck from ''Series/BattlestarGalactica1978'' and Creator/DwightSchultz with Lt. Barclay from ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration''; for the rest, they're Templeton "Faceman" Peck and H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdoch. Only a few '80s movie freaks remember that besides being B.A. Baracus, Creator/MrT once clobbered the snot out of Rocky in ''Film/RockyIII''. And seriously, who knows that John "Hannibal" Smith was the male main actor in the classic ''Film/BreakfastAtTiffanys''? (Creator/GeorgePeppard, who played Hannibal, seemed to have been seriously bothered by this, as he had been a big box office movie draw in the '60s and '70s.) |
| 141 | * ''Series/MarriedWithChildren'': |
| 142 | ** Creator/EdONeill, a.k.a. [[Series/MarriedWithChildren Al Bundy]]. He was so famous for portraying Al that when he appeared in ''Film/FlightOfTheIntruder'' as a JAG prosecutor in a court-martial scene, [[{{Narm}} the test audience laughed at the sight of him]], yelling "Al Bundy!" The scene had to be reshot with Creator/FredThompson [[TheOtherMarty playing the part]]. He has since found success on ''Series/ModernFamily''. It helps that on ''Modern Family'', his character is extremely laid back, in contrast to the angry and bitter Al. |
| 143 | ** Creator/KateySagal, who famously portrayed Peggy Bundy, will be remembered [[WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}} for]] [[Series/EightSimpleRules different]] [[Series/SonsOfAnarchy roles]]. |
| 144 | ** Creator/ChristinaApplegate's StarmakingRole was Kelly Bundy, the promiscuous DumbBlonde daughter. And while she doesn't regret the role, she also didn't want to be typecast as MsFanservice, so she has spent the rest of her acting career playing intelligent, driven women even in comedies. |
| 145 | * Music/MileyCyrus was frequently referred to as Series/HannahMontana. Since the 2013 [=VMAs=], she's thrown that off and is now known as "that time when Miley twerked with her tongue hanging out." |
| 146 | * ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'': |
| 147 | ** When people say "starring Creator/MichaelCera", what they probably mean is "starring George Michael Bluth" Since then he's essentially become [[TypeCasting typecast]] in roles as "quirky, adorable indie guy" ([[TrademarkClothing in a hoodie]]) in movies like ''Film/{{Superbad}}'', ''Film/{{Juno}}'', ''Film/NickAndNorahsInfinitePlaylist'' and ''Film/ScottPilgrimVsTheWorld''. Which makes it more hilarious when he portrays himself as a total asshole in ''Film/ThisIsTheEnd''. |
| 148 | ** Despite his success on ''Series/{{Veep}}'' winning two Emmys for Best Supporting Actor, Tony Hale is still destined to be remembered as Buster. |
| 149 | ** Creator/AliaShawkat will ''always'' be Maeby. It certainly doesn't help that it's her only major role. |
| 150 | ** Creator/WillArnett has had a big career renaissance in the 2010s. He's still GOB Bluth to most people. |
| 151 | ** When she's not [[WesternAnimation/{{Archer}} doing voice work]], Jessica Walter will always be Lucille Bluth in the eyes of everyone. |
| 152 | * The late Wrestling/CaptainLouAlbano thanks to ''Series/TheSuperMarioBrosSuperShow''. Other than, of course, being a legendary pro wrestling figure. |
| 153 | * Heinz Schubert, star of the German cult sitcom ''Series/EinHerzUndEineSeele'', could never escape his role as "Ekel Alfred" (Alfred the Jerk), despite having a varied and critically acclaimed career. |
| 154 | * Tommy Piper, German voice of ''Series/{{ALF}}'', will always be ALF to German viewers, no matter what role he plays. He was highly popular while the show ran (probably one of the most famous voice actors Germany has produced) but his career took a serious jump after ALF concluded, as people didn't accept him in any other role, especially not a serious one. |
| 155 | * Gethin Jones became solely associated with ''Series/StrictlyComeDancing'' to many people. They forget he was [[AnAesop promoting driving safety]] in PoliceCameraAction, and doing various other shows! |
| 156 | * Almost everyone involved with ''Series/TheFreshPrinceOfBelAir'' will be remembered first and foremost as their characters, with Alfonso Ribiero (Carlton) likely being the most prominent example. It got to the point where Music/{{DJ Jazzy Jeff|and the Fresh Prince}} is better known nowadays for being "Jazz" than for being one-half of the rap duo that inspired the sitcom. Ironically enough, the Fresh Prince himself, Creator/WillSmith, is the lone exception, though he was essentially playing a fictionalized version of himself on the show. Nevertheless, it's still arguably his most iconic role. |
| 157 | ** Smith has revealed that Alfonso Ribeiro was the one who gave him the advice to [[TheDanza name his character "Will Smith"]], because that's what people would be calling him for the rest of his life. Even on ''[[Series/{{Gambit}} Catch 21]]'', it's referenced. |
| 158 | -->'''Creator/WillSmith:''' When we go out together, people are like: "[[TheDanza Will, Will!]] Carlton!" |
| 159 | ** Before ''The Fresh Prince'', Ribeiro had a memorable role on ''Series/SilverSpoons'', which you'd have to have been a kid in the '80s to remember. |
| 160 | ** In addition to being Uncle Phil in ''Fresh Prince'', children of the '80s will also remember the late Creator/JamesAvery as [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987 the voice of Shredder]]. |
| 161 | * Creator/PauleyPerrette (from ''Series/{{NCIS}}'') has stated that she was once called Abby by her ''dad''. |
| 162 | * Most of the cast of ''Series/{{Lost}}'' (though two managed to add and/or replace a role, ex-''Series/PartyOfFive'' Creator/MatthewFox [replace] and ex-[[Film/TheLordOfTheRings hobbit]] Creator/DominicMonaghan [add]; and two, Maggie Grace with ''Film/{{Taken}}'' and Creator/IanSomerhalder with ''Series/TheVampireDiaries'', did the reverse), but especially Jorge Garcia and Creator/JoshHolloway. |
| 163 | * Creator/MichaelCHall is ''Series/{{Dexter}}'', a sociopathic serial killer with a CreepyMonotone that sends chills down your spine. Now imagine him doing a car commercial in the same voice and not feel a little scared. |
| 164 | * John Laurie once lamented that, as much as he'd want to be remembered for his roles in Shakespeare plays, he'd always be remembered for playing Private Frazer in ''Series/DadsArmy''. |
| 165 | * All the main cast of the ''Series/{{CSI}}'' franchise really suffer from the same thing. Creator/WilliamPetersen and Creator/MargHelgenberger seem to have left at least in part for that reason. |
| 166 | ** And who thinks that Creator/DavidCaruso will be remembered for anything but ''Series/CSIMiami'', even with his role on ''Series/NYPDBlue''? |
| 167 | * Creator/DennisHaysbert as President David Palmer on ''[[Series/TwentyFour 24]]''. So much so that ever since then, he's mostly been cast in the "authoritative, deep-voiced leader" roles in projects like ''Series/TheUnit'', ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda2'', ''VideoGame/SplinterCellPandoraTomorrow'' and the Allstate commercials. This, despite a good chunk of his earlier work being in comedic roles, most notably as Pedro Cerrano in ''Film/MajorLeague''. |
| 168 | * Amongst {{Tokusatsu}} fans, the prime example is Joe Odagiri, who played ''Series/KamenRiderKuuga''[='=]s Yuusuke Godai. Though rumors that he considered the role OldShame persisted for years before finally being debunked, Odagiri still only took the job as a favor to the producer, and is reportedly not a fan of the Toku genre in general. While he still acknowledges ''Kuuga''[[note]]One prominent rumor claimed that he'd had it taken off of his resumé, but when asked point-blank he responded "Of course I haven't! Don't say such unpleasant things!"[[/note]], he's since moved onto more serious roles and would generally rather not talk about it, even rebuffing attempts by Toei to get him to cameo for {{Milestone Celebration}}s like ''[[Series/KamenRiderDecade Decade]]'' and ''[[Series/KamenRiderZiO Zi-O]]''. |
| 169 | * ''Franchise/UltraSeries'' actors tend to become pretty much permanently associated with the franchise and the characters they played. This mainly applies to those who play the Ultras' human alter egos. Kohji Moritsugu (Dan Moroboshi of Series/UltraSeven), for example, has said being on ''Ultraseven'' "changed his life" and that even his friends call him Dan. He's pretty much embraced the role too, as he collects ''Ultraseven'' memorabilia and was even president of the show's fan club. Similarly, Hiroshi Nagano (Daigo Madoka in ''Series/UltramanTiga'') once said that he will accept no other role in future Ultra series except reprisals as Daigo. |
| 170 | * This is what happens to many Creator/DisneyChannel stars after they leave the network. For example, Music/HilaryDuff's career post-''Series/LizzieMcGuire'' has consisted mostly of box office flops and DirectToVideo movies. |
| 171 | * This may be the case with Cliff Arquette who was more recognized as Charley Weaver from ''Series/TheTonightShow'' and ''Series/TheHollywoodSquares''. |
| 172 | * Creator/LouFerrigno is best known for being Series/{{The Incredible Hulk|1977}} of the '70s TV show; he's famous for signing autographs in numerous conventions mostly riding on that alone. |
| 173 | * Creator/AmandaTapping moved decisively to head this off by taking on the role of Dr. Helen Magnus on ''Series/{{Sanctuary}}'', who is brilliant and a scientist but is otherwise quite different from [[Series/StargateSG1 Samantha Carter]]. Time will tell how well this works. |
| 174 | * Creator/NeilPatrickHarris will forever be known as [[Series/HowIMetYourMother Barney Stinson]], [[TheCasanova in spite of the fact that he's]] [[StraightGay completely different in real life]]. Interestingly, before this he was only known as Series/DoogieHowserMD. In ''Film/StarshipTroopers'' he was cast as a character that was very much the opposite of Doogie Howser, counting on the audience's typecasting to have a jarring effect on the audience. Although to many fans of the CultClassic, he will forever be [[WebVideo/DrHorriblesSingAlongBlog Dr. Horrible]]. |
| 175 | * Calista Flockhart is Series/AllyMcBeal. |
| 176 | * ''Series/SavedByTheBell'': |
| 177 | ** No matter how hard he tried, Dustin Diamond would always be seen as Screech. He resented the role so much that he was the only major cast member not to show up in a ''Saved by the Bell'' reunion. After his death, one of his friends commented how few people in his life treated him as a person and not as his character. |
| 178 | ** Creator/ElizabethBerkley did ''Film/{{Showgirls}}'' to try to avoid this. [[GoneHorriblyRight She]] [[NeverLiveItDown succeeded.]] |
| 179 | ** Creator/LarkVoorhies is still Lisa Turtle to most people. Same with Dennis Haskins and Mr. Belding. |
| 180 | * Dutch actor Joop Doderer became so famous as the character "Swiebertje" in the eponymous television series, that people kept adressing him with this name. Because of this, this trope is known as the "Swiebertje-effect" in Dutch. |
| 181 | * To many of his viewers, Larry Hagman will be fondly remembered as either [[Series/{{Dallas}} J.R. Ewing]] or [[Series/IDreamOfJeannie Major Tony Nelson]]. |
| 182 | ** The same goes for Creator/BarbaraEden (and Jeannie). |
| 183 | * Nearly anyone in ''Series/OnlyFoolsAndHorses'' ended associated with their characters from the show. It's most notable with Creator/DavidJason (who said he didn't want to be only remembered as Del Boy) and Creator/NicholasLyndhurst (associated with Rodney), but it's also the case with just about everyone else who was part of the regular cast. |
| 184 | ** David Jason has avoided this by playing Pop Larkin in ''The Darling Buds of May'', as well as [[Series/ATouchOfFrost DCI Jack Frost]] and WesternAnimation/DangerMouse. |
| 185 | ** Nicholas Lyndhurst also may well be remembered as [[Series/GoodnightSweetheart Gary Sparrow]]. |
| 186 | ** Creator/RogerLloydPack (Trigger) has carved out a successful stage career, as well as being Owen in ''Series/TheVicarOfDibley''. To younger audiences, Lloyd-Pack will be known as [[Film/HarryPotterandtheGobletofFire Barty Crouch Sr.]] |
| 187 | * Randolph Mantooth and Kevin Tighe will never escape their ''{{Series/Emergency}}'' roles as Johnny Gage and Roy Desoto. Kevin has distanced himself by playing villain roles and rarely speaking much of the show, although Randolph has both tried to move into other roles and ran with his role. He still works with EMS and firefighter groups and charities and is a frequent firefighter convention keynote speaker. He's also trying to find funding for an urban rescue series idea of his own. |
| 188 | * Richard "John-Boy" Thomas. He actually left ''Series/TheWaltons'' to avoid this. Though he has kept himself rather active over the years, needless to say, he's still John-Boy to many. |
| 189 | * Eric [=McCormack=] is more remembered for his role as Will in ''Series/WillAndGrace''. His starring role in a different series, ''Series/Perception2012'', where he plays a paranoid schizophrenic professor, may be his attempt to escape this. Interestingly, one of his co-stars in said series is Rachael Leigh Cook, also marked by this trope for a very infamous anti-drug ad involving eggs. He's gotten this to the point that the producers of ''Film/FreeEnterprise'' said they were glad that they ended up getting him '''before''' he made it big as Will, because they don't think he would've been believed as his character otherwise. |
| 190 | ** Seemingly aware of this trope, for his SNL host monologue, he sang a song all about how he is NOT Will Truman, that, for one thing, he is straight, and goes on the talk about his love for Steve [=McQueen=] movies, professional wrestling, and beer. |
| 191 | * Creator/JohnRitter will always be [[Series/ThreesCompany Jack Tripper]]. Ditto the rest of the cast: Joyce [=DeWitt=] is forever Janet Wood, Suzanne Somers is always Christmas "Chrissy" Snow, Norman Fell = Stanley Roper, Audra Lindley = Helen Roper, Richard Kline = Larry Dallas, Jenilee Harrison = Cindy Snow, Priscilla Barnes = Terri Alden, and Don Knotts, although he does hold the distinction of also being [[Series/TheAndyGriffithShow Barney Fife]], will be Ralph Furley till the end of time. |
| 192 | ** Lampshaded as a joke in ''Film/StayTuned'' when he channel-surfs into ''Series/ThreesCompany'', with him being Jack Tripper. He screams at the screen before switching the channel again (despite this being the only show where no one's trying to kill him). |
| 193 | * Lampshaded on Sorrell Booke's grave marker at Hillside Memorial Park in Culver City, California - "Beloved Pa, Grandpa, Brother, and [[Series/TheDukesOfHazzard Boss]]". |
| 194 | ** Another ''Series/TheDukesOfHazzard'' example comes through castmate John Schneider. Although he had the opportunity, he made the decision that his character, Bo Duke, [[AvertedTrope would]] [[DefiedTrope never]] [[TheCastShowoff sing on the show]]. When the public first heard him sing, he wanted it to be as John Schneider. After the show ended, he pursued a country music career, and what happened? Disc jockeys all over the nation played his songs on the radio, then came back on the air proudly announcing, "That was Bo Duke!" |
| 195 | * ''Series/GameOfThrones'': |
| 196 | ** Creator/JackGleeson will always be remembered as Joffrey Baratheon, one of the most hated TV villains of all time. He was wise enough to quit acting afterwards because he knew he'd never be able to escape the role (and because he wanted no part of celebrity culture). |
| 197 | ** Creator/PeterDinklage is often referred to as "Tyrion Lannister" even when referring Dinklage himself rather than his character. Before ''Game of Thrones'', Dinklage was often known as "the midget from ''Film/{{Elf}}''". Afterwards, Dinklage began to take on more Tyrion-esque characters with the "midget" aspect often downplayed. |
| 198 | ** Most of the actors who were unknowns or relative unknowns are often associated with their character. Creator/SophieTurner was frequently called "Sansa Stark" by the media when discussing her part in ''Film/XMenApocalypse''. Creator/MaisieWilliams likewise is treated as though she's basically Arya Stark. |
| 199 | * The epic failure of ''Film/TerminatorGenisys'' all but sealed this fate for two of its stars -- Creator/EmiliaClarke and Creator/MattSmith will forever be synonymous with [[Series/GameOfThrones Daenerys Tagaryen]] and [[Series/DoctorWho the Eleventh Doctor]], respectively. |
| 200 | * ''Series/TheOfficeUS'': Most of the actors have had a hard time distancing themselves from their roles on the show (with Creator/SteveCarell, Creator/EdHelms, and Creator/JohnKrasinski being the exceptions), but Creator/RainnWilson and Creator/JennaFischer in particular have been unable to distance themselves from Dwight Schrute and Pam Beesly. Fischer was actually originally slated to star opposite Creator/MattLeBlanc in ''Series/ManWithAPlan'' as his character's wife, but test audiences didn't believe that "Pam would marry Joey," so she was recast with Creator/LizaSnyder. |
| 201 | * The late Michael Jeter is always going to be [[Series/SesameStreet Mr. Noodle's brother Mr. Noodle]]. Even though he had a popular sitcom in the early '90s with ''Evening Shade'', it's not enough to shake off the Noodle. The same is true for Bill Irwin, the original Mr. Noodle. |
| 202 | * Almost all of the actors on ''Series/TheAdventuresOfPeteAndPete'', except for Michelle Trachtenberg. That being said, Toby Huss, who played Artie, is also known for his ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'' voice work. |
| 203 | * Devon Werkheiser is [[Series/NedsDeclassifiedSchoolSurvivalGuide Ned Bigby]]. And although he avoids it with voice acting, it's impossible to see Creator/DaranNorris doing live action and not think of Gordy (or maybe [[Series/BigTimeRush Buddha Bob]], though the beard makes him harder to recognize than when he’s Gordy). |
| 204 | ** Rob Pinkston is always going to be Coconut Head. Thankfully, that wasn't his real hair on the show. |
| 205 | ** Depending on how old you are, Christian Serratos is either Suzie Crabgrass or [[Series/TheWalkingDead Rosita]]. Or maybe [[Film/{{Twilight}} Angela]]. |
| 206 | * Creator/LeeMajors = ''Series/TheSixMillionDollarMan''. |
| 207 | ** Except for [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff Germany]], where Creator/LeeMajors = [[Series/TheFallGuy Colt Seavers]]. |
| 208 | * Sir Creator/DerekJacobi has had an extensive career, having been the wimpy Emperor [[Series/IClaudius Claudius]] and two incarnations of [[Series/DoctorWho The Master]]. You may also remember him from ''Film/{{Gladiator}}''. But to many, he will always be the kindly [[Series/{{Cadfael}} Brother Cadfael]]. |
| 209 | * Both Creator/HollyMarieCombs and Creator/RoseMcGowan are best known as Piper Halliwell and Paige Matthews in ''{{Series/Charmed|1998}}''. The show remains Holly's most high profile role to date. Despite Rose's work with Quentin Tarantino and her successes earlier in the 90s, all her post-''Charmed'' tyepcasting has been tied to Paige in some way. The former escaped this thanks to ''Series/PrettyLittleLiars'' but the latter wasn't so lucky; though she's recognized for being one of the actresses who expose producer Harvey Weinstein as a sex offender. The other two actresses Creator/ShannenDoherty and Creator/AlyssaMilano have avoided this mostly because they already had other famous projects to their name; Shannen with ''{{Film/Heathers}}'' and ''Series/BeverlyHills90210'', and Alyssa with ''Series/WhosTheBoss'', ''Series/MelrosePlace'' and ''Series/MyNameIsEarl''. |
| 210 | * Creator/DanStevens was stuck in this at first after leaving ''Series/DowntonAbbey'' - with most of his initial work being period dramas that evoked Matthew Crawley in some way. But as of the success of ''Film/TheGuest'' and ''Film/AWalkAmongTheTombstones'' and ''Film/BeautyAndTheBeast2017'' he appears to have slipped out of it. |
| 211 | * ''Series/KeepingUpAppearances'': |
| 212 | ** The success of the series led to this for Creator/PatriciaRoutledge. She had an impressive body of stage work and opted to end the show in its fifth series so as not to get typecast as the pompous, nagging Hyacinth Bucket. One driver was picking her up from the airport and expected that he would get henpecked to death - but was surprised to discover that she was nothing like Hyacinth at all. |
| 213 | ** Creator/CliveSwift was very much a straight example. In one interview to ''Magazine/DoctorWhoMagazine'' during his appearance in the 2007 ''Series/DoctorWho'' ChristmasEpisode, he is quoted as telling fans of the show to fuck off if they ask him so much as a question regarding his time as Richard. |
| 214 | ** {{Averted}} with Creator/GeoffreyHughes (Onslow) and Creator/JudyCornwell (Daisy) who reprised their characters from the show over the years in specials produced by Creator/TheBBC's US syndication arm for Creator/{{PBS}} member station fundraising drives in the US, where it remains shown weekly and quite popular. |
| 215 | * The entirety of the ''Series/{{Chespirito}}'' cast got under the influence of this trope, with their better known characters practically becoming their nicknames. With some exceptions, this is partly {{justified|Trope}} due to [[TheDanza some characters having the same name as their actors]]: |
| 216 | ** Chespirito himself is the only one that, while still more identified by [[Series/ElChavoDelOcho El Chavo]], was also associated with Series/ElChapulinColorado. It helps that he was the only actor that always played the same character in the latter series. |
| 217 | ** While not without character rights disputes with Chespirito, Carlos Villagrán (Quico) and Maria Antonieta de las Nieves (La Chilindrina) embraced the association to the point there were some unsuccessful series with their characters as lead stars. Later on they did circus shows all across latin america as their characters. |
| 218 | ** Ramón Valdés is a {{justified|Trope}} case - other cast members described that Don Ramón [[AsHimself was essentially Ramón Valdés under poverty]]. After permanently leaving ''El Chavo del Ocho'' in 1981, he eventually joined Carlos Villagrán in ''¡Ah, qué Kiko!''... as Don Ramón. Interestingly, Ramón Valdés is often associated with how El Chavo often calls Don Ramón: [[{{Malaproper}} Ron Damón]] - when Ramón passed away in 1988, some newspapers titled the news of his death in the lines of "¡Murió Ron Damón!"[[note]]Ron Damón died![[/note]], and during his funeral, Angelines Fernández (who worked with Ramón before ''Chespirito'') called him "Rorro", just how Doña Clotilde, her character, called Don Ramón in the series. ''Chespirito'' also happened to be Ramón's jump to fame - out of the three Valdés brothers, Ramón was often stuck into minor roles before joining the series. |
| 219 | ** Angelines Fernández originally had a bad case of this trope, with kids calling her a witch and generally being scared of her, which got her sad, but eventually got over it. Fernández was Spanish and she had a very ''very'' long career in theater, film and television as a dramatic actress in both Spain and Mexico since the 50s with much of critical acclaim, thus she did resented a little that of her whole prestigious carere her role in a comedy show was her most remembered, however she did cope with the issue and her pre-Chavo works also became popular after her death. |
| 220 | ** Similarly, Florinda Meza has to cope with the fact her character in ''El Chavo del Ocho'', Doña Florinda, is mostly disliked. Some actions she took in-real-life did not ease her image with fans of the series, however. |
| 221 | ** After the show was cancelled, Rubén Aguirre (Profesor Jirafales) and Edgar Vivar (Señor Barriga/Ñoño) did the same thing as Carlos Villagrán and María Antonieta de las Nieves, and played their characters in circus shows in Latin America. |
| 222 | ** María Antonieta de las Nieves and Edgar Vivar, before and after ''Chespirito'', respectively, performed voice acting. María Antonieta took part in dubs of several famous series of the 1960s, but her voice's often not recognized in those series, while Edgar Vivar performed voice acting roles in some animated films such as ''WesternAnimation/{{Ratatouille}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Up}}'' - yet his roles tend to be considered as "Señor Barriga doing voice acting". |
| 223 | * Several of the ''Series/{{The Walking Dead|2010}}''’s main stars are mostly known for their roles on the show. |
| 224 | ** Creator/AndrewLincoln is almost exclusively devoted to his role as Rick Grimes, very rarely taking other roles outside of ''The Walking Dead''. |
| 225 | ** Creator/NormanReedus’ most famous role is undeniably Daryl Dixon, despite also playing [[Film/TheBoondockSaints Murphy MacManus]] and starring in the video game, ''VideoGame/DeathStranding'' as Sam. |
| 226 | ** Creator/ChandlerRiggs is pursuing a music career as “Eclipse” upon [[spoiler: the death of Carl in Season 8’s midseason premiere]], seemingly in an attempt to avoid this trope. |
| 227 | ** Time will tell if this remains for Creator/DanaiGurira (Michonne) given that she gained another acclaimed role as Okoye in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse. |
| 228 | ** This applies to [[VideoGame/TheWalkingDead the episodic video game series by TellTale]] as well. Despite being very talented and versatile actors who have done roles in dozens of other projects, Creator/DaveFennoy, Creator/MelissaHutchison and Creator/GavinHammon are ''always'' going to be remembered as Lee Everett, Clementine and Kenny. |
| 229 | * Creator/StephenColbert (the actor) is not [[Series/TheColbertReport Stephen Colbert]] (the character). In order to distance himself, Colbert used a different pronunciation of his last name while in character (in real life, he pronounces it as Col-Bert, rather than Col-Bear). Despite this, he's kept the different pronunciation when he started doing ''[[Series/TheLateShowWithStephenColbert The Late Show]]'', despite actually establishing the character from ''The Colbert Report'' as being a separate person on the show, having him actually appear together with Stephen (the actor) on a few occasions and do segments during the 2016 election. |
| 230 | * Creator/MelissaJoanHart falls under this, but which character depends on the age of the person in question: |
| 231 | ** If they were a child in the late 80s and early 90s, then it'll be as Clarissa Darling from ''Series/ClarissaExplainsItAll''. According to Melissa, when the series ended, her mother wanted her to only do family-friendly projects to play to her kid fanbase who saw her as Clarissa. |
| 232 | ** Late 90s and early 2000s kids will remember her best as Sabrina Spellman from ''Series/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch''. As time has gone on, she seems to be more identified with Sabrina than Clarissa. When she posed for Maxim Magazine, they even advertised Sabrina posing rather than Melissa. She's also said that she found it hard to get roles after ''Sabrina'' ended because people saw her as a teenage witch. Thus it shocked people seeing her play a mother on ''Series/MelissaAndJoey''. |
| 233 | * Other ''Series/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch'' examples: |
| 234 | ** Creator/BethBroderick has a pretty extensive resume in TV and film (including roles on ''{{Series/Lost}}'', ''Film/TheBonfireOfTheVanities'' and ''Series/SharpObjects'') but her highest profile role is Zelda, Sabrina's responsible aunt. The actress who played Aunt Hilda, Creator/CarolineRhea, managed to avert this thanks to her stand-up comedy and notable appearances in ''Series/TheSuiteLifeOfZackAndCody''. |
| 235 | ** Nate Richert transitioned from acting to music shortly after the show ended, having only a handful of other roles. So he is eternally associated with Harvey Kinkle. |
| 236 | ** Creator/JennaLeighGreen had more success on Broadway and in musical theatre after leaving the show, but to a lot of people, she's still the ultimate AlphaBitch Libby Chessler (the former TropeNamer, actually). |
| 237 | * Gene Rayburn hosted a number of game shows, but he'll always be remembered by his longest tenured show, ''Series/MatchGame''. |
| 238 | * Creator/PeterFalk will always be ''Series/{{Columbo}}''. However, this never stopped him getting other parts including well received roles in John Cassavetes films and as The Grandfather in ''Film/ThePrincessBride''. As a result he never grew to resent the character. |
| 239 | * To Creator/DianaRigg, Emma Peel from ''Series/{{The Avengers|1960s}}'' was just a role among many and she rapidly moved on from it, but to many people, it's the only one they know of her (though younger generations might have [[Series/GameOfThrones Olenna Tyrell]] in mind), and this was much to her chagrin. She flat out ''refused'' to attend fan conventions about ''The Avengers'', tended to avoid questions about the series when interviews didn't call for it, and sent back fan mail with pictures of Emma Peel without signing them. |
| 240 | * ''Series/{{iCarly}}'' |
| 241 | ** Creator/MirandaCosgrove will always be seen as either Carly Shay or [[Series/DrakeAndJosh Megan Parker]]. |
| 242 | ** Creator/JennetteMcCurdy hates ''iCarly'' and she hates being seen as Sam Puckett, viewing the character she played as embodying the darkest period of her life. |
| 243 | * Thanks to ''Series/LifeWithDerek'', Creator/MichaelSeater has had to learn to live life ''as'' Derek, even long after the show ended. Also, Creator/AshleyLeggat is always Casey. |
| 244 | * After ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'' ended, Creator/JoshRadnor wants to focus more on directing career and tries to distance himself from the show because everybody sees him as Ted Mosby. It's also why he grew a beard and never shaved it because if he did, he would look like his character. |
| 245 | * Thanks to ''Series/MyNameIsEarl'', Creator/JasonLee will always be remembered as the titular character, going around trying to right his wrongs, despite the fact he's also been [[Series/MemphisBeat a detective]] and [[Film/AlvinAndTheChipmunks guardian to a trio of singing rodents]], among othe roles. |
| 246 | * ''Series/OddSquad'': |
| 247 | ** Needless to say, Dalila Bela, Filip Geljo and Millie Davis will always be respectively remembered as Olive, Otto, and Oprah/Ms. O. Likewise, Sean Michael Kyer will be remembered as Oscar. |
| 248 | ** Those who have seen Anna Cathcart in ''Film/Descendants2'' onwards are more likely to associate her with her role of Olympia in ''Odd Squad''. The same goes for ''Series/XOKitty'', which had many people watching the show and remembering seeing her on ''Odd Squad''. |
| 249 | * Very few of the ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' escaped this. Most damningly, there was an arrest in 2022 where [[https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/18-arrested-charged-east-texas-paycheck-protection-program-related-fraud the press release]] downright noted one of the defendants was "Jason Lawrence Geiger, a/k/a [[StageNames Austin St. John]] a/k/a [[Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers the Red Power Ranger]], 47, of [=McKinney=]". |
| 250 | * ''Series/TheWire'': Several of the actors had difficulty finding new roles after the show ended. |
| 251 | ** Gbengga Akinagbe (Chris Partlow) remarked "It was so authentic, people thought we weren't actors. At industry events, people would ask 'What are you doing here?' And I'd say, 'What do you mean?' and they'd say 'What are you doing out of Baltimore?' ". |
| 252 | ** Creator/MichaelKWilliams suffered an identity crisis because people on the street would always recognize him as [[KarmicThief Omar Little]] and expected him to live up to that part. |
| 253 | ** Defied by Wendell Pierce: "If you see me on the street, feel free for the rest of my life to call me Bunk." |
| 254 | * The cast of ''Series/AlloAllo'' struggled with {{Typecasting}} due to the series. Richard Gibson eventually decided to just run with it and set up a website where he berates visitors as Herr Flick. He and Creator/KimHartman have also gone on tour as an '''Allo 'Allo!'' cabaret act. |
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