Actors Who Have Played the Same Character for Over 20 Years

Maintaining a single role for over two decades requires immense dedication and a unique connection with the audience. These actors have transitioned through different eras of cinema and television while inhabiting the same iconic personas. From science fiction legends to sitcom stars, their commitment has allowed characters to age and evolve alongside the performers themselves. This longevity often results in a legacy that defines an entire career and spans multiple generations of viewers.

Anthony Daniels

Anthony Daniels first took on the role of the protocol droid C-3PO in the original ‘Star Wars’ film released in 1977. He has returned for every live action theatrical film in the main series including the prequel and sequel trilogies. The actor also provides the voice for the character in various animated series and video games. His dedication to the role has spanned over forty five years of continuous performance across multiple media platforms. He remains the only actor to appear in every installment of the primary film franchise.

James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones provided the iconic voice for the villain Darth Vader beginning with ‘Star Wars’ in 1977. He continued to voice the Sith Lord in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and ‘Return of the Jedi’ during the original trilogy era. The actor returned to the role for a cameo in ‘Revenge of the Sith’ and a significant part in ‘Rogue One A Star Wars Story’. He also lent his voice to the character for the television series ‘Star Wars Rebels’ before officially retiring from the role in 2022. This legendary vocal performance defined the character for several generations of fans over forty five years.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford first portrayed the adventurous archaeologist Indiana Jones in the 1981 film ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’. He reprised the role in three subsequent sequels throughout the eighties and two thousands. The actor donned the fedora once more for the final installment ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ in 2023. This performance marked a forty two year span of Ford playing the same beloved character on the big screen. His portrayal has remained a cornerstone of action cinema since the character debuted.

Mark Hamill

Mark Hamill rose to international fame playing Luke Skywalker in the 1977 classic ‘Star Wars’. He returned to the character for ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and ‘Return of the Jedi’ to complete the original trilogy. Decades later he reprised the role for the sequel trilogy starting with ‘The Force Awakens’ in 2015. He also portrayed the character through digital de aging technology in recent television series like ‘The Mandalorian’. Hamill has voiced or physically played the Jedi Knight for over forty years.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone created and starred as the underdog boxer Rocky Balboa in the 1976 film ‘Rocky’. He portrayed the character through five direct sequels and transitioned into a mentor role for the ‘Creed’ spin off films. His final appearance as the Italian Stallion occurred in ‘Creed II’ released in 2018. This concluded a forty two year journey for the character that earned Stallone multiple award nominations. The role remains one of the most enduring portrayals of a single character in movie history.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger first played the lethal T-800 cyborg in the 1984 science fiction film ‘The Terminator’. He returned as a protector version of the machine in the 1991 sequel and several later installments of the franchise. His most recent performance as the character was in ‘Terminator Dark Fate’ which hit theaters in 2019. This role has defined his career for thirty five years through various iterations of the cybernetic organism. He has appeared as the character in both leading roles and brief cameos across the decades.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise began his long tenure as secret agent Ethan Hunt in the 1996 film ‘Mission Impossible’. He has played the lead in every subsequent entry of the high octane action series. The actor is known for performing his own dangerous stunts to bring the character to life on screen. His latest appearance in ‘Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One’ continued the story twenty seven years after the first film. Cruise remains committed to the role as the franchise moves toward future installments.

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves first played the time traveling musician Ted Logan in ‘Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ in 1989. He returned for a sequel in 1991 and eventually completed the trilogy with ‘Bill and Ted Face the Music’ in 2020. This role spanned thirty one years and showed the character evolving from a teenager to a father. Reeves also achieved long term success as Neo in ‘The Matrix’ franchise starting in 1999. He most recently played the digital savior again in ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ in 2021.

Patrick Stewart

Patrick Stewart debuted as Professor Charles Xavier in the 2000 superhero film ‘X-Men’. He played the telepathic leader through the original trilogy and returned for the crossover film ‘X-Men Days of Future Past’. The actor seemingly ended his tenure with the character in the 2017 film ‘Logan’. However he made a surprise return as a variant of Xavier in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ in 2022. This performance brought his time with the character to a total of twenty two years.

Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman became an instant star when he was cast as Wolverine in the 2000 film ‘X-Men’. He holds the record for the most appearances as a live action Marvel superhero by the same actor. After a supposed final turn in ‘Logan’ he decided to return for the 2024 film ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’. This return extended his portrayal of the clawed mutant to twenty four years. His dedication to the physical demands of the role has been praised by fans and critics alike.

Ian McDiarmid

Ian McDiarmid first appeared as the sinister Emperor Palpatine in the 1983 film ‘Return of the Jedi’. He later played the younger version of the character in the prequel trilogy starting with ‘The Phantom Menace’ in 1999. The actor returned to the role for the final film of the sequel trilogy ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ in 2019. He also provided the voice for the character in television projects like ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’. His portrayal of the galactic villain has spanned thirty six years of cinema history.

Ralph Macchio

Ralph Macchio played the teenage protagonist Daniel LaRusso in the 1984 martial arts hit ‘The Karate Kid’. He returned for two direct sequels in the late eighties before the film series concluded. In 2018 he reprised the role for the television series ‘Cobra Kai’ which continues the story of the original characters. This has allowed him to play Daniel as both a student and a sensei over a forty year period. The show has introduced his character to an entirely new generation of viewers.

William Zabka

William Zabka played the antagonist Johnny Lawrence in the 1984 film ‘The Karate Kid’. While he had a brief cameo in the first sequel his primary return to the role came with the series ‘Cobra Kai’. The show explores Johnny’s life decades after his high school defeat and offers a more complex look at the character. Zabka has now been associated with the role for forty years across film and television. His performance in the modern series has received critical acclaim for its depth and humor.

Kevin Conroy

Kevin Conroy became the definitive voice of Batman starting with ‘Batman The Animated Series’ in 1992. He continued to voice the Dark Knight in various animated shows and feature length films for three decades. The actor also voiced the character in the popular ‘Batman Arkham’ video game series. He made a final vocal appearance in ‘Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League’ released posthumously in 2024. His work as Bruce Wayne and Batman spanned thirty two years and multiple forms of media.

Bill Murray

Bill Murray first played the cynical paranormal investigator Peter Venkman in the 1984 comedy ‘Ghostbusters’. He returned for the sequel in 1989 and provided his voice for a video game in 2009. The actor made a cameo appearance in the 2016 reboot and returned as the original character in ‘Ghostbusters Afterlife’ in 2021. He most recently appeared as Venkman in ‘Ghostbusters Frozen Empire’ in 2024. These appearances have kept him in the role for a total of forty years.

Dan Aykroyd

Dan Aykroyd co-wrote and starred as Ray Stantz in the original ‘Ghostbusters’ in 1984. He has remained a primary figure in the franchise by appearing in every major film installment involving the original cast. Like his co-stars he returned for the 2021 and 2024 sequels to mentor a new generation of ghost hunters. His portrayal of the enthusiastic scientist has spanned four decades of supernatural adventures. Aykroyd continues to be the driving force behind the expanded universe of the series.

Ernie Hudson

Ernie Hudson played the pragmatic Winston Zeddemore in the 1984 classic ‘Ghostbusters’. He reprised the role in the 1989 sequel and has been a consistent participant in franchise reunions. Hudson returned to the character for the 2021 film and took on a more prominent role in ‘Ghostbusters Frozen Empire’ in 2024. His character evolved from a hired hand to a successful businessman who funds the team. This growth has been documented over forty years of film history.

Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy first played the street smart Detroit detective Axel Foley in the 1984 film ‘Beverly Hills Cop’. He starred in two sequels released in 1987 and 1994 respectively. After a long hiatus he returned to the character for the fourth film ‘Beverly Hills Cop Axel F’ in 2024. This latest entry arrived exactly forty years after the original movie debuted. Murphy has maintained the character’s signature laugh and sharp wit throughout the entire series.

Tim Allen

Tim Allen began playing the role of Scott Calvin in the 1994 holiday film ‘The Santa Clause’. He returned for two theatrical sequels that explored his character’s life as the legendary figure. In 2022 he reprised the role for the streaming series ‘The Santa Clauses’ which ran for multiple seasons. This allowed him to play the character for twenty nine years as he eventually looked for a successor. Allen also provided the voice for Buzz Lightyear for twenty four years starting in 1995.

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks provided the voice for the toy cowboy Woody in the 1995 animated hit ‘Toy Story’. He returned for three sequels that followed the character’s journey with his owners Andy and Bonnie. The actor also voiced Woody in various shorts and specials over the years. His final theatrical performance as the character occurred in ‘Toy Story 4’ in 2019. This marked a twenty four year period of Hanks bringing the beloved leader of the toys to life.

Jeff Goldblum

Jeff Goldblum first played the eccentric mathematician Ian Malcolm in the 1993 blockbuster ‘Jurassic Park’. He starred as the lead in the first sequel ‘The Lost World Jurassic Park’ four years later. The actor returned to the franchise for ‘Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom’ in 2018 and ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ in 2022. These appearances spanned twenty nine years and showed the character continuing his warnings about genetic engineering. Malcolm remains one of the most quoted characters in the history of science fiction.

Sam Neill

Sam Neill debuted as the paleontologist Alan Grant in the 1993 film ‘Jurassic Park’. He returned to lead the third installment of the series in 2001. After a long absence he rejoined the franchise for ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ in 2022. This performance concluded a twenty nine year story arc for the character across two different trilogies. Neill has often spoken about his fondness for the character and his experiences on the set.

Kelsey Grammer

Kelsey Grammer first played Dr. Frasier Crane on the sitcom ‘Cheers’ starting in 1984. He then starred in the highly successful spin off ‘Frasier’ which ran for eleven seasons until 2004. In 2023 the actor returned for a revival series that follows the character in a new chapter of his life in Boston. This makes Grammer one of the longest serving actors in a single comedic role in television history. His portrayal has spanned nearly forty years of continuous or revived production.

Dan Castellaneta

Dan Castellaneta has provided the voice for Homer Simpson since the character’s debut on ‘The Tracey Ullman Show’ in 1987. He continued the role when ‘The Simpsons’ became its own series in 1989 and has voiced him ever since. The actor has recorded thousands of episodes and a feature film over thirty five years. Homer has become a global cultural icon thanks to the vocal performance of Castellaneta. He also voices numerous other characters in the town of Springfield.

Harry Shearer

Harry Shearer joined the voice cast of ‘The Simpsons’ during its first season in 1989. He provides the voices for a wide range of characters including Mr. Burns and Ned Flanders. The actor has maintained these roles for over thirty five years without interruption. His ability to distinguish between so many iconic characters has been a key part of the show’s longevity. He continues to contribute to the series as it remains the longest running American sitcom.

Hank Azaria

Hank Azaria began his work on ‘The Simpsons’ in 1989 by voicing several supporting characters. He is responsible for the voices of Chief Wiggum and Moe Szyslak among many others. Azaria has won multiple awards for his vocal versatility over thirty five years of performance. His contributions have helped shape the unique humor of the show since its earliest days. He remains an essential member of the core voice cast today.

Seth MacFarlane

Seth MacFarlane is the creator of the animated series ‘Family Guy’ which premiered in 1999. He provides the voices for the main character Peter Griffin as well as Stewie and Brian. Despite a brief cancellation early in its run the show has been on the air for twenty five years. MacFarlane has voiced these characters continuously throughout the show’s entire history. His work on the series has redefined modern adult animation.

Richard Belzer

Richard Belzer first played Detective John Munch on the drama series ‘Homicide Life on the Street’ in 1993. He then moved the character over to ‘Law and Order Special Victims Unit’ where he remained a series regular for fifteen seasons. The actor also portrayed Munch in cameo appearances on numerous other television shows across different networks. He played the cynical detective for a total of twenty three years until his retirement from the screen. This made Munch one of the most prolific characters in television crossovers.

Ice-T

Ice-T joined the cast of ‘Law and Order Special Victims Unit’ as Detective Fin Tutuola in the year 2000. He has remained with the series ever since and is currently the longest serving male actor on a primetime drama. His character has evolved from an undercover officer to a seasoned sergeant over more than two decades. The actor has appeared in over five hundred episodes of the long running police procedural. He continues to play the role as the series moves into further seasons.

Sam Waterston

Sam Waterston began playing District Attorney Jack McCoy on ‘Law and Order’ in 1994. He played the role for sixteen seasons before the original show was canceled in 2010. When the series was revived in 2022 Waterston returned to lead the legal team once again. He officially departed the series in 2024 after playing the character for thirty years. His portrayal of the principled prosecutor is considered a hallmark of the legal drama genre.

Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel first played the street racer Dominic Toretto in the 2001 film ‘The Fast and the Furious’. He has served as the lead actor and producer for nearly every installment of the blockbuster franchise. The series has transitioned from street racing to global espionage over the course of twenty two years. Diesel has remained the central figure of the saga and its focus on the theme of family. He is set to continue the role in the upcoming final chapters of the series.

J.K. Simmons

J.K. Simmons debuted as the loud mouthed editor J. Jonah Jameson in ‘Spider-Man’ in 2002. He played the character across the original Sam Raimi trilogy that concluded in 2007. After a long break he surprised audiences by returning to the role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe starting in 2019. This extended his portrayal of the character to twenty two years across different film continuities. He has also voiced the character in various animated projects during this time.

Ewan McGregor

Ewan McGregor first played the young Obi-Wan Kenobi in the 1999 film ‘Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace’. He completed the prequel trilogy in 2005 and provided a brief voice cameo in the sequel trilogy. In 2022 he returned to the role for the titular limited series ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ on Disney Plus. This brought his association with the character to twenty three years of storytelling. McGregor has been praised for bridging the gap between his performance and that of Alec Guinness.

Hayden Christensen

Hayden Christensen was cast as Anakin Skywalker in the 2002 film ‘Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones’. He returned for ‘Revenge of the Sith’ in 2005 to depict the character’s descent into darkness. The actor made a significant return to the franchise in 2022 for the ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ series. He also appeared in the 2023 series ‘Ahsoka’ to play both Anakin and Darth Vader. These returns have extended his time in the role to twenty one years.

Warwick Davis

Warwick Davis first played the aspiring sorcerer Willow Ufgood in the 1988 fantasy film ‘Willow’. He returned to the character for a television series sequel that premiered in 2022. This marked a thirty four year gap between his performances as the same character. Davis also played Wicket the Ewok in ‘Return of the Jedi’ in 1983 and returned for a cameo in 2019. His career has been defined by his frequent returns to these iconic fantasy roles.

Billy Crystal

Billy Crystal provided the voice for the one eyed monster Mike Wazowski in the 2001 film ‘Monsters, Inc.’. He reprised the role for the prequel film ‘Monsters University’ in 2013. In 2021 he returned to voice the character again for the animated series ‘Monsters at Work’. This ongoing performance has spanned twenty three years of animated media. Crystal is often credited with bringing a unique comedic energy to the beloved Pixar character.

John Goodman

John Goodman voiced the lovable blue monster James P. Sullivan in the 2001 hit ‘Monsters, Inc.’. Alongside Billy Crystal he returned for the 2013 prequel and the 2021 television series. His deep voice and warm performance have made Sulley a favorite among fans of all ages. The actor has stayed with the character for over twenty years across various projects. He continues to provide the voice for the character in the second season of the series.

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes first starred as the vampire hunter Blade in the 1998 film of the same name. He played the character in two sequels released in 2002 and 2004 during the early era of modern superhero films. In 2024 he made a surprise appearance as the character in ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’. This return occurred twenty six years after his first outing as the Marvel character. His performance helped pave the way for the success of future comic book adaptations.

Michael Keaton

Michael Keaton first donned the cape and cowl in the 1989 film ‘Batman’ directed by Tim Burton. He returned for the sequel ‘Batman Returns’ in 1992 before stepping away from the role. In 2023 he made a high profile return as the character in the film ‘The Flash’. This appearance marked thirty four years since he first played the Dark Knight on screen. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential actors to play the superhero.

Christopher Lloyd

Christopher Lloyd first played the eccentric inventor Doc Brown in the 1985 classic ‘Back to the Future’. He appeared in two sequels and provided his voice for an animated series in the early nineties. Over the decades he has returned to the character for various commercials and short films. In 2021 he appeared as the character in a series of promotional teasers for the franchise. His portrayal of the scientist has remained a constant in pop culture for thirty six years.

Frank Welker

Frank Welker began voicing Fred Jones in the animated series ‘Scooby-Doo Where Are You’ in 1969. He has voiced the character in nearly every animated iteration of the franchise for over five decades. In 2002 he also took over the voice of Scooby-Doo himself following the retirement of the original actor. Welker has been a continuous presence in the series for fifty five years and counting. This is one of the longest tenures for any voice actor in television history.

Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox first played Marty McFly in the 1985 film ‘Back to the Future’ and its two sequels. While he stepped away from major roles due to health reasons he has revisited the character in small ways. He provided his voice for ‘Back to the Future The Game’ in 2010 and appeared as Marty in a 2020 music video. These appearances bring his time with the character to a total of thirty five years. He remains synonymous with the role of the time traveling teenager.

Robert Englund

Robert Englund first appeared as the supernatural killer Freddy Krueger in the 1984 horror film ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’. He played the character in seven sequels and a television series through the eighties and nineties. His final theatrical performance as Freddy was in ‘Freddy vs. Jason’ in 2003. In 2018 he put on the makeup one last time for a guest appearance on the sitcom ‘The Goldbergs’. This final turn extended his time in the iconic role to thirty four years.

John de Lancie

John de Lancie first appeared as the god like entity Q in the pilot episode of ‘Star Trek The Next Generation’ in 1987. He played the character throughout the series and made guest appearances on other ‘Star Trek’ shows in the nineties. In 2022 he returned for a major role in the second season of ‘Star Trek Picard’. This return occurred thirty five years after his debut in the franchise. He has also voiced the character in several video games over the decades.

Jonathan Frakes

Jonathan Frakes began his role as Commander William Riker in ‘Star Trek The Next Generation’ in 1987. He played the character across seven seasons and four theatrical films ending in 2002. The actor returned to the role for guest spots on ‘Star Trek Enterprise’ and voice work on ‘Star Trek Lower Decks’. He most recently played Riker in the live action series ‘Star Trek Picard’ in 2023. This extended his portrayal of the Starfleet officer to thirty six years.

Michael Dorn

Michael Dorn holds the record for the most appearances by an actor in the ‘Star Trek’ franchise. He first played the Klingon officer Worf in 1987 and continued the role through ‘Star Trek Deep Space Nine’. Like his castmates he returned for all the films and eventually the third season of ‘Star Trek Picard’ in 2023. His makeup heavy performance has been a staple of the franchise for thirty six years. He has also voiced the character in numerous video game adaptations.

LeVar Burton

LeVar Burton first played the engineer Geordi La Forge in the 1987 debut of ‘Star Trek The Next Generation’. He continued to play the character in sequels and films for fifteen years before a long hiatus. In 2023 he rejoined his original cast members for the final season of ‘Star Trek Picard’. This appearance allowed him to portray an older and more senior version of the character thirty six years after he started. Burton has also directed many episodes within the franchise.

Brent Spiner

Brent Spiner debuted as the android Data in the 1987 premiere of ‘Star Trek The Next Generation’. He played the character through the end of the film series in 2002 and returned for ‘Star Trek Picard’ in 2020. Over the years he has also played various other members of the Soong family within the same universe. His most recent turn as a composite version of Data occurred in 2023. This concluded thirty six years of bringing the unique character to life.

Bruce Campbell

Bruce Campbell first played the horror hero Ash Williams in the 1981 film ‘The Evil Dead’. He returned for two sequels including the cult classic ‘Army of Darkness’ in 1992. In 2015 he reprised the role for the television series ‘Ash vs Evil Dead’ which ran for three seasons. He also provided the voice for the character in several video games including a 2022 title. His association with the chainsaw wielding hero has lasted for over forty years.

Patrick Warburton

Patrick Warburton began voicing the character Joe Swanson on ‘Family Guy’ in 1999. He has remained a member of the main cast for the entire duration of the show’s run. His distinct baritone voice has made the character one of the most memorable in the series. The show is currently in its twenty second season as of 2024. This makes his tenure as the character twenty five years long.

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