Christopher Pennock

 So many DS actors played more than one role. My vote for who was the most versatile would be Christopher Pennock. He played everything from the hunky Jeb Hawkes, the nerdy Cyrus Longworth, evil John Yeager, to the cowardly, sniveling Gabriel Collins.

Anybody agree, disagree?

I might have to agree with you, veryvenn.  Just about all the performers on the original DS had to stretch their range of characters.....the leap from Prof. Stokes to Ben Stokes was quite a feat for Thayer David......as was Grayson Hall's transformation from Dr. Hoffman to Magda the Gypsy.

But all things considered, the role of John Yeager was a tour de force all it's own......a disgusting, loathesome character.....but a brilliant performance!

I also believe that Nancy Barrett was another very good verstatile actor/actress.  I love how she went from the meek & mild Charity Trask to the character that was possessed by Pansy Faye in one storyline.  I thought she did up the whole accent bit great too, as she did with the Leticia Faye character.


Cassandra

I wouldn't say I disagree with your enxcellet choice of Pennock, but my vote for most versatile would go to Nancy Barrett. Her role as Carolyn alone had three or four facets unto itself (especially over the course of the show - two of my faves being Carolyn in the Vampire's thrawl and 1995). And of course there were, Millicent, Charity, Charity as Pansy, PT Carolyn, and the characters in 1840 and PT 1841 (was it 41?). I enjoyed all of her portrayals.

Nancy Barrett and John Karlen are tops in creating different and real characters, in my book.   

As is no secret, my favorites are Grayson and Thayer.  I agree that Nancy was excellent, and often brilliant.  Pennock got better as the show went on.  I thought his performance as wheelchair-bound Gabriel Collins contained many of his finest moments on the series. Gabriel was just so deliciously devious.

G.

Yes so many of the DS actors really had the ability to portray rich, diverse character roles as was demanded of them.  Although Frid only had one character change (to that of Bramwell), he was excellent as the despondent, violent, unhappy, giddy, broken hearted and lovelorn, plotting and vengeful, able to sell a friend down the river but would help a friend in need Barnabas all the time.  Despite never having to play another character except that of Bramwell, he had perhaps the most complex character to portray of all.

  Yep, Pennock was great in the diverse roles he played. No doubt about that. I thought, however, that Thayer David as Count Petofi had to be the greatest. Moving to and from Prof. Stokes et al to this character had to be difficult at best. The voice, the glasses, the wig, were uncomfortable, I'm sure. Barrett and Karlen were also excellent.
                                                              Misty

I agree that Chris Pennock created very memorable characters.  I was particularly impressed with Cyrus Longworth and Gabriel Collins; even Sebastian Shaw was entertaining in his own right.

So many of the DS performers were gifted with great talents.  John Karlen, Nancy Barrett, Joel Crothers, Louis Edmonds, and Thayer David (my personal favorite and nominee for the most versatile DS actor) each created very believable and diverse characters during their time on the show.  Sometimes I think it was the power of the actors that really allowed DS to transcend its limitations and made it so memorable and beloved to this day.

ProfStokes

Don't forget Joan Bennett....I loved all her roles. From Elizabeth, to Naomi, to Judith, to Flora all characters who were quite different from each other as night is to day.