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The popular medical drama, premiering in 1982, followed the day-to-day events at down-and-out teaching hospital St. Eligius. At left: Denzel Washington, Ed Begley Jr., Mark Harmon, David Morse, Howie Mandel, Cynthia Sikes and Stephen Furst pose for a cast shot. The NBC series introduced many famous faces. (NBC)![1982_Cast]()
22.5 million viewers tuned in for the shocking series finale in which character Donald Westfall’s autistic son Tommy shakes a snow globe with the tiny St. Eligius inside. Viewers were to believe that the entire series had been imagined inside a snow globe! Outrageous. At left, a small portion of the series' giant cast. Click through for updates on some of the more recognizable characters. (NBC)![Denzel Washington Then]()
Washington was an unknown actor when he landed the role of young idealistic Dr. Philip Chandler. (NBC)![Denzel Washington Now]()
Now 55, Washington is an international movie star and a two-time Oscar winner, having begun a film career in the 90s. One of his first starring roles was in Spike Lee’s 1990 film “Mo’ Better Blues.” Movies since include “Malcom X” (for which he earned an Oscar nomination), “Philadelphia,” “The Pelican Brief,” and “The Preacher’s Wife.” More recent films include “Remember the Titans,” “Training Day” (for which he won an Oscar), “John Q,” “Man on Fire,” “American Gangster” and “The Book of Eli.” Washington holds the record for most Oscar nominations (five) by an actor of African descent. A Hollywood A-lister, Denzel is married with four children. He has two more movies out this year; “Inside Man 2” and “Unstoppable.” (AP)![Howie Mandel Then]()
The Canadian comedian, host and actor got his big break playing Dr. Wayne Fiscus on “St. Elsewhere.” Before the series, Mandel played comedy clubs and appeared in the 1980 movie “Gas.” While on “St. Elsewhere,” he voiced characters on “Gremlins” and “Muppet Babies.” (NBC)![Howie Mandel Now]()
In 1989, Mandel starred in the movie “Little Monsters.” He went on to create, produce, and provide voices for the hit animated series “Bobby’s World,” which ended in 1998. That same year, the actor hosted his own talk show (which lasted one season). Mandel has guested on shows like “Medium,” “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” “My Name is Earl,” and “Monk.” Now 54, Mandel is currently famous for hosting “Deal or No Deal” (2005 to 2009). “Howie Do It” was Howie’s show in 2009, and in January of this year it was announced that he will replace David Hasselhoff as a judge on “America’s Got Talent.” Married since 1980, Mandel has three children. He has publicly discussed his mysophobia (fear of germs) and ADHD. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (REUTERS)![Mark Harmon Then]()
After playing football with the UCLA Bruins, Harmon worked as a carpenter and then began a TV career, appearing on series like “Adam-12” and “Emergency!” – which led to his role as Dr. Robert Caldwell on “St. Elsewhere.” He left the show in 1986 when his character contracted HIV. Fun fact: Late singer Ricky Nelson was Mark’s brother-in-law, making Mark uncle to Matthew and Gunnar Nelson of the band Nelson. (NBC)![Mark Harmon Now]()
In the mid 80s, Harman was the spokesman for Coors beer. He portrayed Ted Bundy in the TV movie “The Deliberate Stranger,” and took small TV roles until he landed the series “Reasonable Doubts” (1991-1993). Harmon then played Dr. Jack McNeil on “Chicago Hope” from 1996-2000. Bit parts on series like “The West Wing” led to his starring role on “NCIS.” Harmon has starred in the crime series “NCIS” since 2003. He’s been nominated for four Golden Globes and two Emmys during his career. The actor, 58, has been married to actress Pam Dawber (“Mork & Mindy”) since 1987, and the couple has two sons. (REUTERS)![Ed Begley Jr. Then]()
Early work includes recurring roles on series like “Mary Hartman.” Ed received six Emmy nominations for his role as Dr. Victor Erlich, possibly his most famous character. (NBC)![Ed Begley Jr. Now]()
Since “St. Elsewhere,” Begley, 60, has had a long career in entertainment. TV work includes series “7th Heaven,” “Arrested Development,” “Six Feet Under,” and “Battlestar Galactica.” The actor had large roles in mockumentaries “Best in Show,” “A Mighty Wind” and “For Your Consideration.” Last year, Begley appeared in the stage production “Whatever Works” and was a cast member on CBS series “Gary Unmarried.” A noted environmentalist, he appears on his own reality show, “Life with Ed” on Planet Green and has written “Living Like Ed: A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life.” On his second marriage, Begley has three children. (REUTERS)![David_Morse_Then]()
The actor’s first big role was Dr. Jack Morrison on “St. Elsewhere.” (NBC)![David Morse Now]()
After “St. Elsewhere,” Morse began a successful film career. His credits include “Dancer in the Dark,” “The Green Mile,” “Disturbia,” “The Long Kiss Goodnight,” “12 Monkeys,” and “Hounddog.” In 2006 the actor began a recurring role on the series “House,” for which he earned an Emmy nomination. Morse portrayed George Washington in the 2008 HBO miniseries “John Adams” (netting a second Emmy nod). Now 56, Morse has been married since 1982 and has three children. He has two films slated for release this year, “Mother and Child” and “Shanghai.” (REUTERS)![William Daniels Then]()
Before he was Dr. Mark Craig, Daniels played Dustin Hoffman’s father in 1967 film “The Graduate.” During his stint on “St. Elsewhere” the actor voiced KITT the car on “Knight Rider.” He won two Emmy Awards for his role on “St. Elsewhere.” Fun fact: In 1986, Daniels and his wife Bonnie Bartlett, who played his fictional wife on “St. Elsewhere” (and later on “Boy Meets World”), won Emmy Awards on the same night. They are the first married couple to win duel awards for a TV series. (NBC)![William Daniels Now]()
From 1993 to 2000, Daniels played teacher George Feeny on the kids’ series “Boy Meets World.” He’s had a successful career as a stage actor, and Broadway credits include “1776,” “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,” and “A Little Night Music.” Now 83, Daniels has been married since 1951 to actress Bonnie Bartlett and the actors have two children.Then/Now: The Cast of 'St. Elsewhere'
Denzel! Howie! Harmon! Where are the stars of this hit 80s medical drama?
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- Then/Now: The Cast of 'St. Elsewhere'
