Characters that "stick" forever

The only TV series character that comes to mind that was played by two different actors is 'Bewitched' - the character, Darrin Stephens. I am sure that there are others, but I just can't think of any off the top of my head. Interestingly enough, both actors that played Darrin had the same first name. I actually preferred the replacement to the original, but it really wasn't a major issue for me. I like one of the other responses regarding the Batman actors. I have to agree that Michael Keaton was the best, all-around actor in that role. He did well as both Bruce Wayne and as Batman. However, I also feel that Christian Bale did an excellent job in the role. In your example of James Marsters - I have only seen him in two series and I think that he has done an excellent job of owning his characters in both. Spike in Buffy and Milton Fine/Braniac in Smalville are so completely different from each other and Marsters handles them both very well. Milton Fine is introduced to Smallville and you don't know if he is friend or foe to Clark. Though Spike was always portrayed as a nemesis, you didn't get the feeling that Fine was just because it was the same actor. All too often, an actor is cast in a particular type of role because they always portray that kind of character. Giovanni Ribisi often plays a jerk, for instance - you almost expect his character to be a jerk because he is cast in the role (one notable exception is Dex in 'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow' where he was quite likable). On that note, though...no, I couldn't see any other actor playing the role of Parker Selfridge in 'Avatar.'

I absolutely agree with you in fact I was going to say James Marsters as Spike.. Before I even got to the point in your discussion where you mentioned him.. So great minds think alike. Another good example is a show that is popular now.. PSYCH. Those characters are so unique.. I don't think it would have been even remotely the same if played by any other actors James Roday is simply hilarious. There are many parts that started as a one time character only to be written into the show because they have brought so much more to that character than anyone could have imagined.. One I can think of off the top of my head.. and I know there are more that I can not remember.. Is (and I am going back a few years here) was on the TV show BOOKER- with Richard Grieco - which was a spin off of 21 Jump Street. The main character was of course Dennis Booker but by chance they had an episode with a character Played by Lori Petty named Suzanne.. She was so Hilarious and Outrageous that she brought that character to LIFE. And the chemistry between them was great.. after watching that episode -it left you wanting more.. more of watching them interact.. and thankfully someone realized that.. because they started writing her into episodes more and more and then she was working with him. It was really a cool show. But the character of Suzanne would have been a one time thing that no one would have remembered if Lori Petty didn't get that role and make it her own!

yes, i agree with you. i think an actor or actress who makes us react is very good, indeed. i think the producers choose different characters for the role being played. when they audition, the producers or directors have that knack for choosing the correct person for that role. it makes the movie or tv show a success as well.

Many characters are like that...They were not at all sucessful in replacing Barny Fife on The Andy Griffith Show when Don Knotts left the role.. they tried, but it didn't work. Then they had to change the whole structure of the show..and it wasn't as funny anymore. Jeff Probst of Survivor couldn't be replaced....he is survivor and anyother face would just not be the same!

For the life of me I can't think of a tv character that was played by 2 actors where one actor replaced the other. Maybe in remakes like superman shows. But I could think of 2 characters in movie remakes. Batman and James Bond. Although Micheal Keaton isn't the original Batman, he's the best batman actor for me. Sean Connery is the best James Bond as far as I'm concerned. None of the other actors who played these characters were ever as good or better than them.

Well its not a show so much as a movie. I couldn't see any one replacing the harry potter trio. The reason i say this is : 1) They were British and no one could replace that 2) They have been in 6 of the movies so far. that is my reasoning. Also i don't think anyone can replace Megan Fox in the Transformers Movies. That would be weird! And plus the only person that looks remotely like her is Angelina Jolie and she is a little old.

I cant imagine anyone else playing Adrian Monk except Tony Shalhoub. I cant imagine anyone else playing Hawk Eye Peirce except for Alan Alda. These are two characters that came to mind right away when i saw this discussion rate topic !

that's a good question.sometimes i can't stand the sequel which change some leading role,maybe nothing to do with the actor,just cuz my first impressions are strongest.