HOT GALLERY: Looking Back at the Stars of St. Elsewhere, Some of the Most Beloved Doctors in TV History

Bonnie Bartlett as Ellen Craig on St. Elsewhere in 1986

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Bonnie Bartlett as Ellen Craig on St. Elsewhere in 1986

Bonnie Bartlett played Ellen Craig, the wife of surgeon Mark Craig—played by William Daniels, Bartlett’s actual husband. “It was wonderful” to appear on-screen side by side, Bartlett said at an Entertainment Weekly-organized cast reunion. “We love to work together.”

Bonnie Bartlett as Ellen Craig on St. Elsewhere in 1986 and Bonnie Bartlett in 2007

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Bonnie Bartlett as Ellen Craig on St. Elsewhere in 1986 and Bonnie Bartlett in 2007

Bartlett started off on St. Elsewhere as a guest star but was made a regular in 1985. In 1986, she and her husband both won Emmy Awards for their roles. She went on to guest-star in series like Home Improvement, Boy Meets World (again with her husband), and Firefly—as well as a few medical dramas, including ER and Grey’s Anatomy.

Christina Pickles as Nurse Helen Rosenthal on St. Elsewhere in 1983

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Christina Pickles as Nurse Helen Rosenthal on St. Elsewhere in 1983

As lead nurse Helen Rosenthal, Christina Pickles got some dramatic story lines—including a breast cancer diagnosis, an addiction to prescription pills, a prolonged battle for her job, and an affair that ended her marriage.

Christina Pickles as Nurse Helen Rosenthal on St. Elsewhere in 1983 and Christina Pickles in 2010

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Christina Pickles as Nurse Helen Rosenthal on St. Elsewhere in 1983 and Christina Pickles in 2010

Pickles has appeared on TV shows like Friends, JAG, How I Met Your Mother, and Childrens Hospital. Her movie credits include The Wedding Singer, Romeo + Juliet, and Legends of the Fall. Fun fact: Her sister Vivian played Harold’s mother in the cult favorite Harold and Maude.

David Birney as Dr. Ben Samuels on St. Elsewhere in 1982

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David Birney as Dr. Ben Samuels on St. Elsewhere in 1982

A well-respected and well-liked surgeon, Ben Samuels was also well known as a ladies’ man, bedding any number of his coworkers at St. Eligius.

David Birney as Dr. Ben Samuels on St. Elsewhere in 1982 and David Birney in 2004

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David Birney as Dr. Ben Samuels on St. Elsewhere in 1982 and David Birney in 2004

Birney played the lead character in the TV series Serpico and made guest appearances on series like The Twilight Zone, Without a Trace, and Murder, She Wrote. A prolific stage actor, he has performed in numerous Shakespeare productions (Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice, The Tempest, As You Like It). Before St. Elsewhere, he starred with Meredith Baxter (who would go on to play the mother in Family Ties) in Bridget Loves Bernie; the two were married for 16 years, then endured a bitter and prolonged divorce. (Here is Birney’s response to the accusations in his ex-wife’s memoir.)

David Morse as Dr. Jack Morrison on St. Elsewhere in 1983

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David Morse as Dr. Jack Morrison on St. Elsewhere in 1983

At the beginning of the series, “Boomer” Morrison was “the doctor I think all of us would like to have,” as Morse describes him. “His feeling for the person he was dealing with was deep.” Compassionate and empathetic toward his patients—as well as his young son—his skills were also somewhat in doubt; having gotten his degree abroad, he had to take a number of classes to make up for gaps in his education while working at St. Eligius. By the end of the series, he had become considerably more disillusioned with his profession and life.

David Morse as Dr. Jack Morrison on St. Elsewhere in 1983 and David Morse in 2009

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David Morse as Dr. Jack Morrison on St. Elsewhere in 1983 and David Morse in 2009

Since the show, Morse has gone on to appear in movies like The Green Mile, Contact, and The Hurt Locker. His TV roles include no less than founding father George Washington in the acclaimed miniseries John Adams as well as guest stints on House M.D. and Medium. He most recently starrred in the HBO series Treme. “It may be one of the most extraordinary things to happen in some of our careers,” Morse said of St. Elsewhere, “because it was a show that changed television in a lot of ways.”

Denzel Washington as Dr. Philip Chandler on St. Elsewhere in 1985

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Denzel Washington as Dr. Philip Chandler on St. Elsewhere in 1985

Laser-focused, serious, accomplished, Dr. Chandler was all business at St. Eligius and frequently called his colleagues out when they were less than professional. Even then, it was clear that the young actor portraying him (in one of his very first roles) was a star. “To this day,” costar Howie Mandel joked of Denzel Washington, “he will call me from the set and go, ‘Howie, how would you play this?’ ”

Denzel Washington as Dr. Philip Chandler on St. Elsewhere in 1985 and Denzel Washington in 2012

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Denzel Washington as Dr. Philip Chandler on St. Elsewhere in 1985 and Denzel Washington in 2012

Perhaps you are familiar with this particular St. Elsewhere alum’s career—but in case you need any reminding, here’s a brief summary: He’s won two Oscars (for Training Day and Glory), has been nominated for three more (including for portraying an American icon in Malcolm X); he’s starred in acclaimed movies from Philadelphia to The Hurricane (for which he won a Golden Globe) to American Gangsters; and he is indisputably one of the most powerful and influential actors working in Hollywood today. (Oh, and he’s also been named People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” and one of the “Most Beautiful People in the World.”)

Ed Begley Jr. as Dr. Victor Ehrlich on St. Elsewhere in 1983

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Ed Begley Jr. as Dr. Victor Ehrlich on St. Elsewhere in 1983

Not exactly known for his people skills, Ehrlich was sometimes crass, often outspoken, and unlucky to a fault—but also deeply talented and a promising young surgeon.

Ed Begley Jr. as Dr. Victor Ehrlich on St. Elsewhere in 1983 and Ed Begley Jr. in 2012

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Ed Begley Jr. as Dr. Victor Ehrlich on St. Elsewhere in 1983 and Ed Begley Jr. in 2012

Since St. Elsewhere, Begley has appeared in series including Roseanne, The Larry Sanders Show, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Six Feet Under, and Arrested Development. In recent years, Begley has also focused on his political and especially environmental activism: His show Living with Ed on the Planet Green network chronicled his endeavors to live as low-impact and socially responsible as possible (often to the chagrin of his wife).

Ed Flanders as Dr. Donald Westphall on St. Elsewhere in 1983

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Ed Flanders as Dr. Donald Westphall on St. Elsewhere in 1983

Dr. Westphall was the head of St. Eligius Hospital, an administrator who was more focused on his fellow doctors than on the corporate hierarchy. He was the compassionate and kindly father figure to the staff—as well as to his children (it was his autistic son shaking that infamous snow globe in the series’ final scene).

Ed Flanders as Dr. Donald Westphall on St. Elsewhere in 1983 and Ed Flanders in 1990

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Ed Flanders as Dr. Donald Westphall on St. Elsewhere in 1983 and Ed Flanders in 1990

Flanders, who won an Emmy for his role on St. Elsewhere in 1983, was also known for having played President Harry Truman in multiple films. He continued to appear in TV movies and series through the early ’90s, but, having struggled with depression, he took his own life in 1995.

Howie Mandel as Dr. Wayne Fiscus on St. Elsewhere in 1983

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Howie Mandel as Dr. Wayne Fiscus on St. Elsewhere in 1983

Not surprisingly, comedian Howie Mandel’s Dr. Fiscus was a cutup at St. Eligius. Though a dedicated surgeon, he was known for his lighthearted behavior toward colleagues and patients alike. His castmates unanimously named Mandel the class clown of the show. “We were irreverent,” says Mandel. “We were ironic. We were sometimes silly.”

Howie Mandel as Dr. Wayne Fiscus on St. Elsewhere in 1983 and Howie Mandel in 2011

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Howie Mandel as Dr. Wayne Fiscus on St. Elsewhere in 1983 and Howie Mandel in 2011

Mandel has loaned his voice to numerous projects, including the movie Gremlins and the long-running Bobby’s World, as well as appearing in series like The Outer Limits and Monk. But he’s best known for playing, well, himself: As the host of Deal or No Deal and a judge on America’s Got Talent, among others, his gift of gab gets to shine.

Mark Harmon as Dr. Bobby Caldwell on St. Elsewhere in 1983

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Mark Harmon as Dr. Bobby Caldwell on St. Elsewhere in 1983

Bobby Caldwell was the promiscuous plastic surgeon whose story ended in tragedy: A psycho hookup slashed his face, leaving him scarred, and he eventually contracted HIV; it was revealed in the final season that he’d died of AIDS. “I was real thankful to be included in this group,” Harmon says of being on the show, saying that the cast provided “teachers in every direction.”

Mark Harmon as Dr. Bobby Caldwell on St. Elsewhere in 1983 and Mark Harmon in 2012

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Mark Harmon as Dr. Bobby Caldwell on St. Elsewhere in 1983 and Mark Harmon in 2012

Harmon had memorable stints on series like Chicago Hope (as another doctor) and The West Wing (as an ill-fated agent). His movie credits include Freaky Friday and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Of course, nowadays he’s best known for starring in one of the most popular dramas on television, NCIS, as Special Agent Jethro Gibbs.

Norman Lloyd as Dr. Daniel Auschlander on St. Elsewhere in 1983

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Norman Lloyd as Dr. Daniel Auschlander on St. Elsewhere in 1983

Even-tempered and respected, Dr. Auschlander was a mentor of sorts to some of the younger doctors at St. Eligius. “We had a great feeling that we were special, which we were,” Lloyd said. “The show was special. It was unique.” He was also in that infamous final scene of the series, presumably as Westphall’s father.

Norman Lloyd as Dr. Daniel Auschlander on St. Elsewhere in 1983 and Norman Lloyd in 2005

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Norman Lloyd as Dr. Daniel Auschlander on St. Elsewhere in 1983 and Norman Lloyd in 2005

Lloyd—who recently turned 100 (!)—has continued his remarkable career in front of the camera since the end of St. Elsewhere. Before the series, he was prolific as a director and producer of TV movies and series; since the ’80s, he has focused on acting in movies including Dead Poets Society, The Age of Innocence, and In Her Shoes, as well as TV series like The Practice and Modern Family. He appears next in 2015's Trainwreck. May we all have such long and fruitful careers!

William Daniels as Dr. Mark Craig on St. Elsewhere in 1983

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William Daniels as Dr. Mark Craig on St. Elsewhere in 1983

The curmudgeonly veteran Dr. Craig was the best at what he did (heart surgery), and he knew it—and wasn’t shy about letting others know, either. He enjoyed berating the younger staff, especially Dr. Ehrlich, who both revered and were terrified of him. Daniels’ real wife, Bonnie Bartlett, also played his wife on the show.

William Daniels as Dr. Mark Craig on St. Elsewhere in 1983 and William Daniels in 2007

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William Daniels as Dr. Mark Craig on St. Elsewhere in 1983 and William Daniels in 2007

Among other remarkable roles, Daniels was the voice of K.I.T.T. on Knight Rider; played George Feeny on Boy Meets World; was Commissioner Andrew Schmidt on The Closer; and played Dr. Thomas on Grey’s Anatomy. He has appeared in movies as diverse as Reds, The Blue Lagoon, and Blades of Glory.