You know how some actors play a role so iconic that you just know they're never going to get work again once that show's over, then they surprise you by playing a completely different character who's just as memorable? Talk about 'em here.

And yes, Alyson Hannigan and Neil Patrick Harris both own this thread. She was a geeky sidekick turned confident lesbian witch, and he was an average teenager who just happened to be a genius with a fully-accredited medical degree. Everyone expected them to fade into obscurity after their respective shows were cancelled, but then they were both cast in supporting roles in the show How I Met Your Mother, and they stopped being seen as Willow and Doogie, and became Lily and Barney.

Your thoughts?

Word to Alyson Hannigan and Neil Patrick Harris surpassing their "teen roles" and owning their completely different characters on HIMYM. I don't know about "owning" the thread because I think that honor belongs to Jimmy Smitts. He had three significant TV roles that I've seen as Victor Sifuentes on LA Law, Bobby Simone on NYPD Blue, and Matt Santos on West Wing. He's very different in all three incredibly meaty, challenging and substantial roles.

I know that Bebe Neuwirth and Mary Louise Parker have done most of their most substantial work on Broadway anyway, but both actresses create distinct characters on two separate television shows. Bebe Neuwirth creates a different character of Tracey Kibre on the unfortunately short-lived Law and Order: Trial by Jury from her signature television role as Lilith Sternin on Cheers and Frasier. Mary Louise Parker acts as bohemian, morally lax, fucked up Nancy Botwin on Weeds with the same talent and aplomb that she played morally self-righteous, idealistic, politico Amy Gardner on West Wing.

Valerie Bertinelli. She played Barbara Cooper on One Day at a Time. Sweet and innocent little Barbara. Once she started doing fact-based movies and playing these dramatic roles, she proved me wrong that she would not venture from that Barbara role.

There's an older thread on this subject here, so I'm closing this.