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1960s Sitcom Stars

by Legacy Staff

The TV sitcom blossomed in the 1960s, and many of the best comedies of the decade remain classics today. Join us as we look back at some of our favorite sitcom stars of ’60s television.

KEN BERRY (1933-2018)

Melody Patterson (1949 – 2015) and Ken Berry (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

KEN BERRY (1933-2018) was the likeable star of the sitcom “F Troop” which ran from 1965 – 1967. The series was about U.S. soldiers during the wild west, Berry played the clumsy Captain Parmenter. Berry later starred on “Mayberry R.F.D.,” a spinoff of “The Andy Griffith Show,” and on “Mama’s Family,” a spinoff of “The Carol Burnett Show.”

View Ken Berry’s Obituary


“THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW”

THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW, Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Morey Amsterdam, Rose Marie, Richard Deacon (Everett Collection)

One of the great TV comedies of all time, “THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW” (1961 – 1966) starred, from left, DICK VAN DYKE, MARY TYLER MOORE (1936 – 2017), MOREY AMSTERDAM (1908 – 1996), ROSE MARIE, and RICHARD DEACON (1921 – 1984).

View Mary Tyler Moore’s Obituary


“THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW” (1960 – 1968)

Clockwise from bottom left: ANDY GRIFFITH (1926 – 2012), RON HOWARD, JIM NABORS, and DON KNOTTS (1924 – 2006). (Getty Images/ Silver Screen Collection)

“THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW” (1960 – 1968) became one of the most beloved shows in the history of television and sparked popular spinoffs including “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” and “Mayberry R.F.D.” 

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 “MY FAVORITE MARTIAN” (1963 – 1966)

Ray Walston (1914 – 2001) (Wikimedia Commons)

For the generation that watched RAY WALSTON (1914 – 2001) play Uncle Martin alongside BILL BIXBY (1934 – 1993) on “MY FAVORITE MARTIAN” (1963 – 1966), the actor may as well have had antennae growing out of his head – he was that strongly identified with the role.

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BILL BIXBY (1934 – 1993)

Bill Bixby (Wikimedia Commons)

“My Favorite Martian” alum BILL BIXBY (1934 – 1993), left, co-starred with BRANDON CRUZ and Academy Award-winning actress MIYOSHI UMEKI (1929 – 2007) in “THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE’S FATHER” (1969 – 1972).

Read more about Bill Bixby


“GET SMART” (1965 – 1970)

GET SMART, Don Adams, Barbara Feldon, 1965-70 (Everett Collection)

Created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry (1930 – 2020), “GET SMART” (1965 – 1970) starred DON ADAMS (1923 – 2005) and BARBARA FELDON as secret agents 86 and 99, respectively

View Don Adam’s Obituary


SHIRLEY BOOTH (1898 – 1992)

Shirley Booth (Wikimedia Commons)

SHIRLEY BOOTH (1898 – 1992) was “HAZEL” (1961 – 1966), the competent, take-charge, live-in maid for the Baxter family in the series based on the popular comic strip by Ted Key.


“THE ADDAMS FAMILY” (1964 – 1966)

The Addams Family (Getty Images / Silver Screen)

They were creepy, kooky and altogether ooky. “THE ADDAMS FAMILY” (1964 – 1966) starred, clockwise from top left: JACKIE COOGAN (1914 – 1984) as Uncle Fester, BLOSSOM ROCK (1895 – 1978) as Grandmama, TED CASSIDY (1932 – 1979) as Lurch, KEN WEATHERWAX as Pugsley, JOHN ASTIN as Gomez, CAROLYN JONES (1930 – 1983) as Morticia, and LISA LORING as Wednesday.

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“THE MUNSTERS” (1964 – 1966) 

The Munsters (Wikimedia Commons)

“THE MUNSTERS” (1964 – 1966) depicted the home life of a family of genteel monsters. Clockwise from top, the cast included AL LEWIS (1923 – 2006) as Grandpa Munster, FRED GWYNNE (1926 – 1993) as Herman Munster, YVONNE DE CARLO (1922 – 2007) as Lily Munster, BUTCH PATRICK as Eddie Munster, and BEVERLEY OWEN as Marilyn Munster.


“THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES” (1962 – 1971)

THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, (clockwise from top left): Buddy Ebsen, Nancy Kulp, Raymond Bailey, Donna Douglas, Max Baer Jr., Irene Ryan. (Everett Collection)

“THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES” (1962 – 1971) introduced us to the Clampett clan and their misadventures in Beverly Hills, California. The show starred, clockwise from top left: BUDDY EBSEN (1908 – 2003) as Jed Clampett, NANCY KULP (1921 – 1991) as Miss Hathaway, RAYMOND BAILEY (1904 – 1980) as Mr. Drysdale, DONNA DOUGLAS (1932 – 2015) as Elly May, MAX BAER JR. as Jethro, and IRENE RYAN (1902 – 1973) as Granny.


 “BEWITCHED” (1964 – 1972)

BEWITCHED – Cast Gallery (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)DICK YORK;ELIZABETH MONTGOMERY;AGNES MOOREHEAD

Supernatural sitcom “BEWITCHED” (1964 – 1972) proved an immediate hit and had television audiences twitching their noses along with suburban housewife/witch Samantha. Clockwise from top: AGNES MOOREHEAD (1900 – 1974) as Endora, ELIZABETH MONTGOMERY (1933 – 1995) as Samantha, and DICK YORK (1928 – 1992) as Darrin.

Bewitched Gallery


“GILLIGAN’S ISLAND” (1964 – 1967) 

Cast of Gilligan’s Island (Everett Collection)

A three-hour tour turned into a three-year run when “GILLIGAN’S ISLAND” (1964 – 1967) hit the air in 1964. The castaways, from left, were RUSSELL JOHNSON (1924 – 2014) as the Professor, DAWN WELLS as Mary Ann, BOB DENVER (1935 – 2005) as Gilligan, TINA LOUISE as Ginger, JIM BACKUS (1913 – 1989) as Thurston Howell III, NATALIE SCHAFER (1900 – 1991) as Lovey Howell, and ALAN HALE JR. (1921 – 1990) as the Skipper.

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“HOGAN’S HEROES” (1965 – 1971)

HOGAN’S HEROES cast from left: Werner Klemperer as Col. Wilhelm Klink, Sigrid Valdis as Hilda, John Banner (as Sgt. Hans Schultz), Bob Crane (as Col. Robert Hogan), Larry Hovis (as Sgt. Carter) , Robert Clary (as Cpl. Louis LeBeau), Ivan Dixon as Sgt. James ‘Kinch’ Kinchloe, and Richard Dawson (as Cpl. James Newkirk). (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)

“HOGAN’S HEROES” (1965 – 1971) starred, from left, WERNER KLEMPERER (1920 – 2000) as Col. Klink, SIGRID VALDIS (1935 – 2007) as Hilda, JOHN BANNER (1910 – 1973) as Sgt. Schultz, BOB CRANE (1928 – 1978) as Col. Hogan, LARRY HOVIS (1936 – 2003) as Sgt. Carter, ROBERT CLARY as Cpl. LeBeau, IVAN DIXON (1931 – 2008) as Sgt. Kinchloe, and RICHARD DAWSON (1932 – 2012) as Cpl. Newkirk.

Hogan’s Heroes Gallery


“I DREAM OF JEANNIE” (1965 – 1970)

Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman (Wikimedia Commons)

“I DREAM OF JEANNIE” (1965 – 1970) starred BARBARA EDEN as a 2,000-year-old genie and LARRY HAGMAN (1931 – 2012) as an astronaut who becomes her master.

View Larry Hagman’s Obituary


“LOST IN SPACE” 

Guy Williams, June Lockhart, and Jonathan Harris (Getty Images/ Silver Screen Collection)

Sci-fi comedy “LOST IN SPACE” starred, from left, GUY WILLIAMS (1924 – 1989) as Dr. John Robinson, JUNE LOCKHART as Dr. Maureen Robinson, and JONATHAN HARRIS (1914 – 2002) as Dr. Zachary Smith. The show also featured BOB MAY (1939 – 2009) as the Robot.

View Bob May’s Obituary


ALAN YOUNG (1919 – 2016)

Alan Young (AP Photo)

ALAN YOUNG (1919 – 2016) co-starred with a horse, voiced by ALLAN “ROCKY” LANE (1909 – 1973), in 1960s sitcom classic “MISTER ED” (1961 – 1966).

View Alan Young’s Obituary


“THE MONKEES” (1966 – 1968)

Davy Jones on the set of the television show The Monkees in March 1968 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

In the late 1960s, “THE MONKEES” (1966 – 1968) took America by storm. The kooky musical TV series starred DAVY JONES (1945 – 2012), Mickey Dolenz, Peter Tork (1942 – 2019), and Michael Nesmith as a Beatles-esque quartet.

Davy Jones, Teen Idol


“MY THREE SONS” (1960 – 1972)

My Three Sons cast (Wikimedia Commons)

On “MY THREE SONS” (1960 – 1972), film star FRED MACMURRAY (1908 – 1991), top right, led a cast that included “I Love Lucy” alum WILLIAM FRAWLEY (1887 – 1966), left, DON GRADY (1944 – 2012), right, STANLEY LIVINGSTON, bottom, and TIM CONSIDINE, top left.

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“PETTICOAT JUNCTION” (1963 – 1970)

MEREDITH MACRAE (1944 – 2000), from left, as Billie Jo, LORI SAUNDERS as Bobbie Jo, and LINDA KAYE as Betty Jo. (Getty Images / CBS)

“PETTICOAT JUNCTION” (1963 – 1970) featured MEREDITH MACRAE (1944 – 2000), from left, as Billie Jo, LORI SAUNDERS as Bobbie Jo, and LINDA KAYE as Betty Jo. They were joined by BEA BENEDERET (1906 – 1968), EDGAR BUCHANAN (1903 – 1979), FRANK CADY (1915 – 2012), RUFE DAVIS (1908 – 1974), MIKE MINOR, and JUNE LOCKHART. The success of “Petticoat Junction” led to the spinoff “Green Acres.”

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“GREEN ACRES” (1965 – 1971) 

GREEN ACRES actors Eddie Albert as Oliver Wendell Douglas and Eva Gabor as Lisa Douglas. (Getty Images / CBS Photo Archive)

“GREEN ACRES” (1965 – 1971) starred EDDIE ALBERT (1906 – 2005) and EVA GABOR (1919 – 1995) as city dwellers turned country folk.

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” LUCILLE BALL (1911 – 1989)

Lucille Ball and Dick Martin (Wikimedia Commons)

After “I Love Lucy,” LUCILLE BALL (1911 – 1989) returned to television with “THE LUCY SHOW” (1962 – 1968), co-starring old friend VIVIAN VANCE (1909 – 1979) as two divorced mothers sharing a home. DICK MARTIN (1922 – 2008), left, of “Laugh-In” fame appeared in the first season as Lucy’s next-door neighbor.

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“FAMILY AFFAIR” (1966 – 1971)

FAMILY AFFAIR, (from left): Kathy Garver, Anissa Jones (holding Mrs. Beasley), Brian Keith, Johnny Whitaker, Sebastian Cabot. (Getty Images)

“FAMILY AFFAIR” (1966 – 1971) starred, from left, KATHY GARVER as Cissy, ANISSA JONES (1958 – 1976) as Buffy, BRIAN KEITH (1921 – 1997) as Bill Davis, SEBASTIAN CABOT (1918 – 1977) as Mr. French, and JOHNNY WHITAKER as Jody.