And now for something completely different

by Scott H. Payne on September 18, 2009

I was reminded last night that guys like: Phillip Seymor Hoffman, Billy Bob Thorton, Neil Patrick Harris, Seann William Scott, and Haley Joel Osmet owe their distinctive three-namedness to a little trail blazer I like to call…

celebrity-pictures-richard-dean-anderson-the-economyRichard Dean Anderson (aka MacGyver), the original three-named actor.

While most of us became familiar with RDA through his role as MacGyver in the mid-1980′s, few are aware that this hockey haired stud was on the scene as early as 1976 in General Hospital (also a classic for day-time, home-sick-from-school television).

Bonus points if you can name the actor who would be RDA’s closest competitor and arch nemesis in the original three-named actor category.

Tagged as: Richard Dean Anderson, three-named actors, vapid Friday blogging

Scott is a sometimes blogger and social media consultant/principal at East Side Media. In addition to writing at the League of Ordinary Gentlemen, Scott is also a founding member of Beams and Struts and a fellow at the Canadian Council for Democracy's blog the Commons. You can reach Scott via email and follow him on Twiter.

{ 17 comments }

1 Keljeck September 18, 2009 at 11:35 am

James Earl Jones?

2 Scott H. Payne September 18, 2009 at 11:39 am

Close, but not who I was thinking of. James Earl Jones is sort of in a class all his own and isn’t really defined by his use of three names.

3 E.D. Kain September 18, 2009 at 12:38 pm

I don’t suppose Olivia Newton-John counts does she?

4 Scott H. Payne September 18, 2009 at 12:41 pm

For shame, E.D.

5 E.D. Kain September 18, 2009 at 12:45 pm

For shame? Hey!

6 Scott H. Payne September 18, 2009 at 12:50 pm

Sorry, brother. I calls ‘em like I sees ‘em.

7 Phil K. September 18, 2009 at 12:19 pm

Billy. Dee. Williams.

8 Scott H. Payne September 18, 2009 at 12:32 pm

Oh snap. That’s not who I was thinking of either, but I might have to change my answer. Nice work. The person I’m thinking of is a little more… of the same substance as RDA. Billy Dee was at least involved in the Star Wars franchise.. when that meant something.

9 Zach September 18, 2009 at 1:04 pm

Edward James Olmos; Lou Diamond Phillps, but he’s made something of himself now, cashing at the World Series of Poker Main Event this year.

10 Zach September 18, 2009 at 4:09 pm

Dumb; along with EJO, Phillip Michael Thomas

11 Zach September 18, 2009 at 4:16 pm

Looking into this, involvement with General Hospital or Miami Vice was essential for three-name, mid-eighties quasistardom.

12 Scott H. Payne September 18, 2009 at 11:02 pm

Well played, Zach (re: PMT). The bonus points and meager bragging rights are yrs for the taking. We should play this game every Friday, or some variant on it.

13 Sam M September 18, 2009 at 1:05 pm

Billy Dee Williams… it’s unclear whether it’s two first names or two last names.

At any rate, I refer you to Mr. Anthony Michael Hall.

(Bows for applause.)

14 Scott H. Payne September 18, 2009 at 1:23 pm

Also a brilliant call. Wow, we’re really into the weeds of the three-named actors guild now. Person I’m thinking of never quite attained Anthony Michael Hall’s fame.

15 Jaybird September 18, 2009 at 5:27 pm

I was going to guess Tommy Lee Jones but he’s not Canadian so it can’t be him…

16 Jonathan September 24, 2009 at 7:51 am

David Lee Roth had an uncredited role in Mel Brooks’ ‘History of the World Part I’. Does that count?

17 Keljeck September 24, 2009 at 7:58 am

WHAT!? WHERE!?

ANSWERS!

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