10 Future Stars Who Appeared on ‘The Gong Show’ Before They Were Famous
When The Gong Show premiered on June 14, 1976, it didn’t seem like the type of show that would launch major stars … at first. Chuck Barris‘ chaotic talent contest was built around oddball acts, celebrity judges, and, of course, the giant gong that could end a bad performance in seconds. Some contestants were intentionally ridiculous to get attention, others were just plain bizarre, but some walked onto the stage with real talent and became stars afterward.
The show gave early TV exposure to several performers who later became famous in music, movies, TV, and Broadway. Here are some future stars who appeared on The Gong Show before becoming famous, and what their early acts were.
Andrea McArdle
Everett Collection
Andrea McArdle appeared on The Gong Show as a child performer, not long before she became one of Broadway’s most famous young stars. In 1977, McArdle originated the title role in the Broadway musical Annie, turning songs like “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard-Knock Life” into signature numbers for a generation of theater fans. McArdle was only 13 when Annie opened on Broadway, and she earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.
Cheryl Lynn
Before Cheryl Lynn had everyone singing “Got to Be Real,” she appeared on The Gong Show in 1976. Lynn performed Joe Cocker‘s “You Are So Beautiful,” and unlike many contestants, she did not need a strange gimmick to stand out. She had a powerhouse voice, and people loved it. Lynn later signed with Columbia Records and released “Got to Be Real” in 1978. The disco and R&B classic became her signature song and remains one of the great dance records of the late ’70s.
Mare Winningham
Columbia/Everett Collection
Mare Winningham appeared on The Gong Show before she became a respected actress. She performed under the name Sharon Shamus and sang the Beatles song “Here, There and Everywhere.” Winningham soon moved into acting and built one of the most respected careers of anyone connected to the show.
Winningham became a two-time Emmy winner and later earned an Academy Award nomination for Georgia. She is also remembered for roles in St. Elmo’s Fire, The Thorn Birds, Turner & Hooch, and many other film, TV, and stage projects.
Michael Winslow
Warner Brothers/Everett Collection; Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Michael Winslow‘s early TV exposure came on The Gong Show, where he showed off the voice effects that would later make him famous. His act included sound impressions, which became his signature talent. Winslow later became best known as Larvell Jones in the Police Academy movies. His ability to make sound effects with his voice made him instantly recognizable, and he later showcased his talent again on America’s Got Talent in 2021.
Pee-wee Herman (a.k.a. Paul Reubens) and John Paragon
Everett Collection
Before Paul Reubens became famous as Pee-wee Herman, he appeared on The Gong Show with John Paragon. The two later became closely tied to the Pee-wee universe, with Reubens creating and playing Pee-wee and Paragon becoming known to fans as Jambi the Genie on Pee-wee’s Playhouse. Their Gong Show appearance came before Pee-wee became a major pop culture figure through The Pee-wee Herman Show, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, and Pee-wee’s Playhouse.
Danny Elfman and Oingo Boingo
Buena Vista/Everett Collection
Before Danny Elfman became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable film composers, he was part of The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo. The theatrical music group appeared on The Gong Show before evolving into Oingo Boingo, the new wave band later known for songs like “Weird Science” and “Dead Man’s Party.” Elfman eventually became far more famous as a composer, especially through his long collaboration with Tim Burton. He wrote music for films including Batman, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and many more.
Boxcar Willie
Everett Collection
Country singer Boxcar Willie also appeared on The Gong Show. Born Lecil Travis Martin, he built his act around an old-fashioned railroad hobo persona, complete with funny train songs. Boxcar Willie later became a familiar country entertainer, especially through touring, television commercials, and his long association with Branson, Missouri. He was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1981 and became one of the performers who helped shape Branson into a major country music destination.
Kevin Peter Hall
Paul Drinkwater/Universal/Everett Collection
Kevin Peter Hall appeared on The Gong Show before becoming known for very specific screen roles. At 7 feet 2 inches tall, Hall played the title creature in Predator and Harry in Harry and the Hendersons, two very different 1987 movies that both used his height and expressiveness in memorable ways. Hall died in 1991 at just 35, but his work left a lasting mark on ’80s movie fans.
Eddie Deezen
Paramount/Everett Collection
Eddie Deezen also appeared on The Gong Show before becoming one of the most recognizable character actors of the late ’70s and ’80s. He later played Eugene Felsnic in Grease and appeared in movies such as 1941, WarGames, and The Polar Express. Deezen’s nervous, high-pitched comic style made him easy to remember, even in smaller roles.
Rhonda Shear
USA Nework/Everett Collection
Rhonda Shear appeared on The Gong Show in the late ’70s, years before she became a familiar face on cable TV. She later hosted USA Up All Night, the late-night movie show that became a cult favorite in the ’90s. Shear’s career moved through comedy, hosting, acting, and eventually business.
Anyone else would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments!
Remind 
1970s Fall TV
September 2023
Take a trip back to the ’70s by looking at the TV Guide Magazine Fall Preview primetime lineups.
Buy This Issue