People

During the formative years of television, as it was gaining a foothold in our national consciousness, certain pioneers helped mold the medium. These stars of the small screen-whether in front of the camera, behind it or both-challenged our notions of entertainment and made us question our values and our world view.

Tim Allen
His prolific entertainment career began in a Detroit comedy club.
Desi Arnaz
While famous for "I Love Lucy," he was also an innovative television producer.
Roseanne Barr
Before her hit sitcom, she made waves as a comedy club headliner.
Carol Burnett
Her genial comic antics have entertained America for years.
LeVar Burton
Long before "Reading Rainbow," he starred as Kunta Kinte in "Roots."
Diahann Carroll
As the star of “Julia”, she broke through multiple barriers.
Johnny Carson
He reigned on the late night TV screen for three decades.
Lynda Carter
Equipped with her lasso of truth, she was the perfect "Wonder Woman."
Dick Cavett
He carved out an intellectual niche on late night TV.
Richard Chamberlain
The "King of the Miniseries" starred in "The Thorn Birds" and "Shogun."
Margaret Cho
Her 1994 sitcom was the first to focus expressly on an Asian-American family.
George Clooney
For him, landing the role of “ER” physician Dr. Doug Ross was a major break.
Joan Collins
Her portrayal of Alexis Carrington made "Dynasty" a sensation.
Bill Cosby
He sparred with racial stereotypes and left his comedic mark.
Angie Dickinson
Strong, smart and sexy, she proved powerful on the small screen.
Phyllis Diller
Her zany humor cracked the glass ceiling for future funny women.
Anthony Edwards
He spent 8 years playing Dr. Mark Greene, "ER's" beloved centerpiece.
Chad Everett
The Indiana-born actor starred as the handsome young Dr. Joe Gannon on CBS's "Medical Center."
Lou Ferrigno
He was the bodybuilder actor behind "The Incredible Hulk."
Tina Fey
Her thoughtfully crafted scripts have kept audiences in fits for decades.
James Garner
He played the reluctant hero with charm and humor.
Rosey Grier
He lived by his principles of non-violence, on and off screen.
Merv Griffin
He crafted engaging game shows that kept us glued to the screen.
Andy Griffith
He won hearts with his down-home grin and self-effacing humor.
Larry Hagman
He was one of television's best-loved primetime villains.
Cloris Leachman
She has won more Primetime Emmy Awards than any other performer in TV history.
Howie Mandel
When he auditioned for “St. Elsewhere," he mistakenly thought he was trying out for a sitcom.
Bob Newhart
The groundbreaking comedian never planned on becoming a household name.
Nichelle Nichols
She was the first African-American female in a lead role on TV.
Leonard Nimoy
He transfixed us as the logical Mr. Spock, proving humans and aliens aren't so different.
Edward James Olmos
The Mexican-American actor has long been a strong advocate for Latino visibility.
Gloria Reuben
She starred as the first HIV+ physician in a primetime medical drama.
Joan Rivers
This comdienne and talk show host threw out the “nice girl” rules.
Fred Rogers
Wearing his trademark cardigan, he challenged kids to think creatively.
Ray Romano
He got bit by the comedy bug as a teenager in the 1970s, decades before his hit show.
Willard Scott
He clowned his way to a network-level gig, but he's still a kid at heart.
Jerry Seinfeld
His hilarious "show about nothing" forever changed the sitcom genre.
Tommy Smothers
He was a sharp-tongued political satirist with change on his mind.
George Takei
He forever changed the public image of Asians in the media.
Dick Van Dyke
His knack for physical comedy warmed the hearts of generations of viewers.
Elena Verdugo
As Conseulo Lopez in “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” she took her place as America’s favorite nurse.
Jimmie Walker
Overnight, his comic catchphrase became part of the national vocabulary.
Betty White
She built a long career on quick wit and sheer talent.
Robin Williams
Despite his varied accomplishments, he will always be Mork from Ork.
Jonathan Winters
His wild comic sensibilities made him a perennial favorite.
Noah Wyle
He played a doctor longer than anyone else in a primetime medical series.
Robert Young
As Dr. Marcus Welby, he blurred the line between physician and actor.