Ted Lange used That's My Mama as a chance to prove himself
Ted Lange became known as an actor through his many roles on TV, including that of Isaac Washington on The Love Boat. But before he boarded the boat, he was just trying to stay afloat and make a name for himself in Hollywood.
Before he became the actor we recognize today, he played a memorable role on a little-known series. That's My Mama was an ABC sitcom that aired from 1974 to 1975. Lange played the role of Junior, the charismatic, close friend of Clifton Curtis (played by Clifton Davis).
According to a 1975 interview with The Tennessean, Lange didn’t have many credits to his name before That's My Mama came along. Although his resume looked bleak, his hopes were high. He knew the type of impact the series could have—and did have for his career.
"All I need is the chance to prove myself," Lange said. "When I first realized that I wanted to become an actor, I started studying people like Marlon Brando and several other great actors."
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Lange had been acting since high school, but it wasn't until he became a little older that he realized it was something he could continue with. He was encouraged by a teacher who said he could make a living from it, which inspired him to keep going.
As for his role on That's My Mama, he used it as both a learning opportunity and a growing opportunity. He also used it to introduce not only himself but also his race to television.
"It is the first time on television that you see a street dude with a sense of humor," Lange said. "Usually, a street dude is a villain or someone who goes around selling drugs to people. I created the character I play and made him a comic. I'm always working to enhance the character."
That's My Mama may not have had a long run, but it was an important show in television history for a few reasons, especially in how it represented black characters and culture on TV.
For Lange, it made him popular. People started to recognize him out in public, which was something completely new for him. But that was only the start for him.
"It feels good to be recognized," Lange said. "I know that some actors don’t like being recognized, and I think they are in the wrong business. I love my art more than any woman I've ever met."