John Mcliam, a character actor known for his distinctive presence and versatility, graced television screens across a wide array of shows during the 1970s and early 1980s. While he secured a regular role in The Virginian (re-titled The Men From Shiloh) from 1970 to 1971, portraying the character Parker, McLiam’s career was largely defined by his memorable guest appearances. This article delves into his extensive work during this period, offering a detailed guide for fans and researchers alike.
McLiam’s consistent presence in episodic television during this era highlights his talent for bringing diverse characters to life, even in single-episode appearances. His ability to embody roles across genres, from Westerns to crime dramas, solidified his reputation as a reliable and compelling performer.
John McLiam’s Regular and Semi-Regular TV Roles (1970-1971)
While John McLiam is best known for his guest roles, he held a regular position in The Virginian, later known as The Men From Shiloh. From 1970 to 1971, he played Parker, adding a familiar face to this long-running Western series. This role offered audiences a chance to see McLiam in a recurring capacity, further establishing him within the landscape of television at the time.
Guest Starring Roles: John McLiam’s TV Appearances (1970-1982)
The following table details John McLiam’s guest appearances on various television shows between 1970 and 1982. This period showcases his breadth as an actor, appearing in everything from crime procedurals and legal dramas to Westerns and family shows. Each entry provides the original air date, network, show name, episode title, and the character McLiam portrayed. This list serves as a valuable resource for anyone tracking his career or exploring television history of the 70s and early 80s.
| Original Air Date | Net | Show Name | Episode Name | Character Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 15, 1969 | Hawaii Five-O (s1,e16) | Uptight | Ralph Hastings | |
| February 8, 1970 | NBC | Bonanza (s11,e19) | Is There Any Man Here? | Harry Carlis |
| February 17, 1970 | CBS | Lancer (s2,e18) | The Experiment | Nathan Benedict |
| October 2, 1970 | NBC | Bracken’s World (s2,e3) | Jenny, Who Bombs Buildings | Capt. Griggs |
| October 18, 1970 | NBC | The Bold Ones: The Lawyers (s2,e2) | Panther In A Cage | Judge Wiley |
| November 30, 1970 | ABC | The Young Lawyers (s1,e11) | A Busload Of Bishops | Louis Luther |
| January 22, 1971 | CBS | The Interns (s1,e15) | The Secret | Father Dooley |
| February 17, 1971 | CBS | Men At Law (s1,e16) | The Dark World Of Harry Andres | |
| February 27, 1971 | CBS | Mannix (s4,e22) | The Color Of Murder | Blaney |
| September 26, 1971 | CBS | Cade’s County (s1,e2) | Company Town | |
| October 4, 1971 | CBS | My Three Sons (s12,e4) | Goodbye, Fergus | Reverend MacDougal |
| November 9, 1971 | CBS | Cannon (s1,e8) | Dead Pigeon | Sean Loomis |
| December 30, 1971 | ABC | Longstreet (s1,e14) | The Long Way Home | Frank Brinkley |
| September 15, 1972 | NBC | Ghost Story (s1,e1) | The Dead We Leave Behind | Titus Paul |
| September 17, 1972 | CBS | Mannix (s6,e1) | The Open Web | Fogarty |
| September 21, 1972 | ABC | The Mod Squad (s5,e2) | The Thunder Makers | Sam |
| January 21, 1973 | ABC | The F.B.I. (s8,e18) | The Disinherited | Jess Harland |
| January 24, 1973 | ABC | Owen Marshall, Counselor At Law (s2,e17) | Seed Of Doubt | Dr. Harding |
| February 22, 1973 | NBC | Ironside (s6,e19) | All About Andrea | Trash |
| September 30, 1973 | NBC | McMillan And Wife (s3,e1) | Death Of A Monster…Birth Of A Legend | Desmond Ramsey |
| October 18, 1974 | CBS | Planet Of The Apes (s1,e6) | Tomorrow’s Tide | Gahto |
| October 31, 1974 | ABC | Harry O (s1,e8) | Ballinger’s Choice | Old Salt |
| November 19, 1974 | CBS | Barnaby Jones (s3,e9) | Dark Homecoming | Dwight Hopkins |
| November 20, 1974 | CBS | The Manhunter (s1,e11) | The Carnival Story | Doc Hummell |
| December 12, 1974 | NBC | Ironside (s8,e12) | Speak No Evil | Father Holt |
| May 6, 1975 | The Invisible Man (s1,e0) | The Invisible Man | Blind Man | |
| September 4, 1975 | CBS | Three For The Road (s1,e1) | Pilot | Thurman Parsons |
| September 10, 1975 | CBS | Cannon (s5,e1) | Nightmare | Captain Corday |
| November 1, 1975 | ABC | Matt Helm (s1,e6) | Squeeze Play | |
| March 3, 1976 | ABC | Starsky & Hutch (s1,e21) | A Coffin For Starsky | Professor Jennings |
| May 11, 1976 | NBC | City Of Angels (s1,e12) | The Bloodshot Eye | Judge Marquette |
| September 17, 1976 | CBS | Spencer’s Pilots (s1,e1) | The Drone | Cal Atkins |
| January 13, 1977 | CBS | Barnaby Jones (s5,e12) | The Deadly Charade | Sheriff Coyle |
| February 21, 1977 | NBC | Little House On The Prairie (s3,e17) | To Live With Fear (2) | Harris |
| August 10, 1977 | NBC | Kingston Confidential (s1,e13) | The Anonymous Hero | Douglas White |
| November 17, 1977 | CBS | Barnaby Jones (s6,e9) | The Reincarnation | Sheriff Anderson |
| November 28, 1977 | CBS | The Incredible Hulk (s0,e2) | Death In The Family | Michael |
| January 16, 1978 | NBC | Little House On The Prairie (s4,e15) | Whisper Country | Caleb Fisher |
| May 10, 1978 | ABC | Starsky & Hutch (s3,e22) | Quadromania | Lionel Fitzgerald |
| November 20, 1978 | ABC | Lucan (s2,e2) | Brother Wolf | Hap |
| February 16, 1979 | CBS | Dallas (s2,e19) | Sue Ellen’s Sister | Wally |
| March 23, 1980 | CBS | Archie Bunker’s Place (s1,e23) | A Small Mafia Favor | Vinnie Mulvaney |
| January 6, 1981 | ABC | Hart To Hart (s2,e6) | Murder Wrap | Dr. Whittlock |
| March 31, 1981 | NBC | Walking Tall (s1,e7) | The Fire Within | Father Forrester |
| December 1, 1981 | NBC | Bret Maverick (s1,e1) | The Lazy Ace | Doc Holliday |
| March 17, 1982 | ABC | The Fall Guy (s1,e17) | Guess Who’s Coming To Town? | Dr. Turlock |
| April 9, 1982 | CBS | Falcon Crest (s1,e17) | Penultimate Questions | Commissioner Witkin |
| April 16, 1982 | CBS | Falcon Crest | Ultimate Answers | Commissioner Witkin |
| November 23, 1982 | NBC | Gavilan (s1,e4) | A Matter Of Geography | Streblov |
Image alt text: John McLiam as Parker in The Virginian, a Western TV series, showcasing his role in a regular television cast during the 1970s.
This table illustrates the extensive and varied nature of John McLiam’s television work during the 1970s and early 1980s. From appearances in iconic shows like Bonanza and Mannix to roles in popular dramas like Starsky & Hutch and Little House on the Prairie, McLiam consistently delivered compelling performances. His ability to seamlessly transition between genres and character types is evident in this impressive list of guest roles.
Conclusion
John McLiam’s television career from 1970 to 1982 is a testament to his dedication and talent as a character actor. While his regular role in The Virginian provided a stable presence, it was his guest appearances across a spectrum of popular shows that truly showcased his versatility and cemented his place in television history. This detailed filmography serves as a valuable resource for appreciating the breadth and depth of his contributions to the golden age of episodic television. For more in-depth information on John McLiam’s career, explore his page on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb).
