There is a clip of Jonathan Harris telling that story on YouTube. Basically, it is how Irwin Allen convinced him to be in the series. He wanted to get top billing in the credits, but that was already promised to the other actors (as part of their contract). So the compromise was to make him a “Special Guest Star” in the credits.
Not sure it was supposed to be a permanent arrangement. His character was supposed to get killed off after a few episodes, but got popular enough that those plans were changed. So, he just kept being a Special Guest Star.
In Hollywood, vanity is serious biz.
Thank you! I had no idea. I’ve been watching the series again on Roku, so the question was on my mind.
The titles have “meaning” in Hollywood. Different titles, different union rates. And moving into the syndication world, those titles drive residuals.
For example, “also starring”, or “with” get you a different rate. Over time it’s a big financial deal.