@xangpow:
Since at least the 1980s, almost *everyone* gets their foot (feet) in the door via TV (typically the sit-com). Some actors really are 'TV-sized' and either stay there, or return after a less-than-stellar venture into the big screen. A list of such TV-sized actors (tried movies but went back to the smaller, busier format) would include James Garner, Charlie Sheen, Paul Reiser, George Kennedy, Alan Alda, and Peter Graves....Others who did the sit-com stint, were seen as 'too big for TV", and never looked back include George Clooney, stand-up's Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, Woody Harrelson, and even Ted Danson.
There's also a strong tradition of big-screen personalities taking 'retirement gigs' on TV after long careers in film, as well: Burt Reynolds, Yvonne deCarlo, Jackie Gleason and Lucille Ball---whose gigs turned into second careers!, Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray and Beverly Garland.....
