Just did a little research here and there, but with this current season of NCIS, Harmon will have had a starring role in primetime in over 700 episodes.

Sam- 6 episodes (1978)
240-Robert- 13 Episodes (1979)
Flamingo Road - 37 Episodes (80-82)
St. Elsewhere- 70 Episodes (83-86)
Reasonable Doubts- 45 Episodes (91-93)
Charlie Grace- 9 episodes (95)
Chicago Hope- 95 episodes (96-2000)
NCIS- 412 episodes (03-present)

I don't think even the always present Ted Danson has 700 episodes. Does that automatically make him the king of Television? Can anyone think of anyone higher?

I'd like to start putting together a list of people that have starred in 500 or more episodes of TV. I'm not sure such a list exists out there. I'll keep you posted. Any interest? With Harmon, there are a lot of actors over 500 episodes, but it seems Harmon might be the frontrunner as the main difference is despite having a solid collection of shows, his biggest success brought him his longest run from his 50s possibly into his 70s. Had Lucille Ball not really cancel her own shows and really stopped in 1974, she probably would have been the one to beat.

I'm kind of excited to tackle this though, as I'm sure the first way to go is to look at the longest running shows, because that will obviously be an early advantage, but I'm sure some secondary actors may be surprising as well. Most extreme case is a one off role that wins an Emmy or something.

I'm going to ignore late night, soap operas, and might even steer clear of animated shows (unless they are a clear lead, but they also have to star in live action shows) and mostly sticking to primetime actors, and at least supporting or recurring roles.

Wait NICS Is still s thing? Holy fuck

They just cancelled the Scott Bakula one, which got me interested as he’s at about 500 episodes himself, now they’re saying they might bring him back to Star Trek. The creative team is starting a new show NCIS HAwaii

The GOAT Danson still wins

Cheers - 270
Becker - 129
CSI - 84
The Good Place - 50

That's not counting some others like Curb and Fargo Season 2 and a lot of random shit

David Boreanez has a lot as well

Buffy - 57
Angel - 111
Bones - 245
SEAL Team - 80

I clocked Danson at 691. Don't forget he also had Damages, Bored to Death, currently Mr. Mayor. David and Kaley Cuoco are definitely on the run to be up there. She is already past JLD and coming up on Lucille Ball and Betty White, and she's only 35. One more hit show and she might be the one to beat.

Andy Griffith is at 492, not counting mini-series / limited series. Include those, and that puts him around 530 - 540.

Tom Selleck will be at 458 when the current season of Blue Bloods ends.

Betty White has 611 just starring roles, that doesn’t include the 200-300 episodes of her hosting or as herself or guest spots

Ed O'Neill is currently at 574.