15 Big Stars You Never Knew Set Sail On ‘The Love Boat’

4. Kathy Bates

Even future Oscar winner Kathy Bates payed her dues on the deck of The Love Boat. She played a honeymooner with bad luck on the show in 1978. Following some small roles in the ’70s and ’80s Kathy won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Actress in Misery, and she hasn’t slowed down from there. Over the span of her career she has received 13 Emmy Award nominations, including one for her role on the third series of FX’s American Horror Story.

5. John Ritter

John Ritter had an appearance on the first season of The Love Boat, dressed in drag to try and win his girlfriend back. In 1976 he became a household name after landing the lead role on Three’s Company, which he won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for in 1984. He starred in hundreds of films and TV episodes, and Don Knotts called him the “greatest physical comedian on the planet.” Both of John’s sons became actors before he passed away in 2003 at the age of 54.

6. Teri Hatcher

Teri Hatcher got her acting start on The Love Boat from 1985-1986 playing one of the “Mermaid” showgirls, following a career as an NFL cheerleader for the 49ers. She went on to have a very successful TV career as Lois Lane in TV’s The New Adventures of Superman and is probably best known for her role as Susan Mayer on Desperate Housewives, a role which won her a Golden Globe, SAG Award, and a nomination for an Emmy Award. In 2006 she was one of the highest paid TV actresses in the U.S.