Since the success of Game of Thrones, its spin-offs and sequels are already being planned - one of which might fan favorite, Jon Snow. Kit Harrington seemingly can’t shake his iconic role of Jon Snow, as behind-the-scenes creatives already planning on exploring his character more.
But sometimes actors should be careful not to give their all toone role, because it might be all they’ll be recognized for years after. There are actors with lush careers, which will still be remembered for one role. Reddit is more than happy to point out which actors will always be remembered for that one TV role specifically from The Slayer to a “friend”.
Matt LeBlanc As Joey
Joey from Friends was one of the most hilarious and loved characters on television. His ingenuity achildlikechild-like nature made him likable, whilst his prowess with the ladies made for amazing storylines. Not to forget his iconic line - “How you doin’?”.
“Matt LeBlanc is always Joey to me. Almost couldn’t even remember his real name,” says Reddit user thedjotaku. The curse of the situation seems to be that LeBlanc simply played his role a little too well, and it stuck too much to get rid of it.
Jim Parsons As Sheldon
“Sheldon Cooper as Sheldon Cooper. What do you mean he has a real name?” asked Reddit user society15sick. And truly, it seems as if Parsons embodies Sheldon Cooper. It’s an iconic and recognizable role, as Sheldon was easily the best character on the show. It’s unlikely he’ll be able to shake Sheldon.
Of course, it was the role on the Big Bang Theory that brought him an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award, but it could still be potentially frustrating if he tried to move on with his career, and everyone will simply see him for the one accomplishment.
Calista Flockhart As Ally McBeal
“Calista Flockhart got out of the show Ally McBeal because everyone called her… Ally McBeal!” said Reddit user Holy_Nerevar. It must be really hard when fans all of a sudden can’t tell you from your character.
Ally McBeal was quite a popular show, so it’s not surprising that the fans got a little crazy. Sometimes it’s easy to forget celebrities are only human too. Either way, Flockhart went on to have successful roles like on Brothers and Sisters, and Supergirl. But she’ll always be most known for her role on Ally McBeal.
Steve Carell As Michael Scott
The Office is one of the best sitcoms of all time, and nobody would argue with that. Few sitcom characs came to as legendary as Michael Scott from (and few spurred on as many memes as he did). So it comes as little surprise that fans would have difficulty seeing him as any other character. It doesn’t matter how talented he is at acting, this will be his most recognizable role.
“It’s Steve Carell for me. I haven’t seen Foxcatcher, and I’m not sure if I ever will because every time I watch the trailer, I think “that’s Michael Scott doing a character,” said Reddit user shnmchl61.
James Gandolfini As Tony Soprano
Sopranos was an iconic sitcom that to this day remains one of the most rewatchable TV shows. James Gandolfini played Tony Soprano so well, it’s hard to even imagine, let alone watch him in another role.
“James Gandolfini will forever be Tony Soprano. I doubt anyone else could have played the character better than he could,” said Reddit user Eventually_Shredded. An actor being so perfect for the role as Gandolfini was for Soprano is rare, but it does happen, and it makes it even harder to distinguish the actor from his iconic role.
Sarah Michelle Gellar As Buffy Summers
“Buffy… Sarah Michelle Gellar will always be the one and true Slayer,” said oduguy on Reddit. It was such an important show for many people while growing up, and many fans actually grew up with Buffy.
One thing is clear, Gellar might have had her role in Scooby-Doo, and she might have played a rich, spoiled, evil monster on Cruel Intentions, but to most people, she will always be Buffy. Many audiences will always remember her as that quirky girl with a sad look and the burden of the world on her shoulders.
Kit Harrington As Jon Snow
“Bro that plays Jon Snow may as well legally change his name to Jon Snow because we’re never going to stop calling him Jon Snow,” said Reddit user varnell_hill. And while this is very relatable, this fact also seems to be exacerbated by Kit wearing his hair similarly even after the show ended.
He might also not be alone in this, a similar fate might befall quite a few of his Game of Thrones fellow co-stars, even though others have already successfully let their part go. However, Kit might have a reason for maintaining his Jon Snow appearance. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he’s already attached to one of the projects that are in development - a spin off that would focus on his character specifically.
Leonard Nimoy As Spock
“He wrote a memoir ages ago called “I Am Not Spock” to really show how the role followed him around and damaged the career he had envisioned afterward,” said Reddit user crazy-diam0nd. It often happens with actors who were just too iconic in their one role - it prevents people from seeing all the possibilities about them.
Luckily for Nimoy, he later on embraced his role on Star Trek, and wrote another autobiography called I Am Spock, in which he embraced the giant impact the sci-fi series had on his life and other people. It still wasn’t ideal that there were so many more unknown things about Nimoy that always got overshadowed by him being Spock.
Rowan Atkinson As Mr. Bean
“Rowan Atkinson….. Whatever he’s in, all I see is Mr. Bean lol,” said Reddit user beetlejuice–. Despite his rich career, which includes films like Love Actually and Johnny British, his most iconic role was and remains Mr. Bean.
It was a classic TV series that made generations laugh for years, and his facial expressions aren’t easy to forget either. There has been an animated show in addition to the original series, and two movies made about Mr. Bean, and each one was hilarious to watch.
Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson
“I saw him in an ad for something else, and he had no mustache and EVERYTHING in the world felt wrong in that moment,” said Reddit user CuddlySubject. The Redditor has a point, even on the show when Ron appeared without his mustache, it was an odd detail for fans.
He was iconic and hilarious in the role of Ron Swanson on Parks And Recreation, and many people haven’t been able to let go of that image. He played Ron so well, it’s likely to be the character that will always stick with him, no matter how many other roles he scores. Ron Swanson will be his crowning glory and he will always be associated with it - rightfully so.
