CBS‘ new Matlock reboot boasts big-name stars like Jason Ritter, Beau Bridges, and, of course, Kathy Bates. But the original series, which aired on NBC and ABC between 1986 and 1995, was certainly packed full of talented actors, too — some of whom were already famous, others of whom were on their way! And with MeTV running special Matlock episodes at 9am EST every weekday as part of their “Month of Mayberry” tribute to Andy Griffith, there’s never been a better time to brush up on the show’s best guest stars.
In the original show, Griffith played Ben Matlock, a country lawyer with a knack for exonerating his clients at trial. The show gave Griffith another claim to fame (in addition to his time as a certain TV sheriff) and introducing himself to a new generation of TV viewers.