Plus, I've made it my hobby to try and identify old character actors many of whom appeared in hundreds of westerns or other shows from that period.
Agreed totally. That is a lot of fun to whether it is the men/women of a 1000 roles whose claim to fame was just appearing in all sorts of bit or supporting roles or young stars just starting out (Jack Nicholson in “The Andy Griffith Show” or Robert Redford in a 1962 episode of “The Twilight Zone”). I’ve even seen Telly Savalas in a circa 1958 episode of “The Untouchables”, well before he adopted his well known “Kojak” look.
You can even check the directing credits and I’ve seen Richard Donner (”Superman” and “Lethal Weapon) directed episodes of “The Fugitive” from about 1965 or Robert Altman as director for “Bonanza” and other programs of that era. On a more ominous note, if “The Beverly Hillbillies” crops up in your locale, be sure to look for Sharon Tate playing Mr. Drysdale’s secretary from about 1965 to about 1967 or 68.