The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Thursday Edition)

In my ongoing look at some of the familiar faces on TV, looking at the first time ever I saw their face on the small screen, here are just some of the actors who have appeared on Thursday night shows and where I first saw them.

Ellen Pompeo

WHO SHE PLAYS NOW: She has been the lead star of the long-running ABC drama Grey’s Anatomy since March of 2005 when the show debuted, but…

THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW HER FACE: Was in the 2003 box office movie Daredevil where she played the secretary to Matt Murdock and his law partner Foggy Nelson. She also got her first real break on TV in the long-running NBC series Law & Order when she appeared in a 1996 episode and then in a 2000 episode.

Daniel Sunjata

WHO HE PLAYS NOW: He landed the male lead role of Jake Gregorian on the ABC drama Notorious, but…

THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW HIS FACE: Was in a recurring role in the short-lived series Love Monkey in 2006. Prior to that he appeared in the short-lived drama D.C. in 2000 and a recurring role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit from 2002 to 2004.

Ali Larter

WHO SHE PLAYS NOW: She plays Amelia Slater as part of the ensemble cast of the FOX drama Pitch, but…

THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW HER FACE: Was in two 1998 episodes of Dawson’s Creek. Before that she guest starred in an episode of Chicago Hope and Suddenly Susan.

Odette Annable (nee Yustman)

WHO SHE PLAYS NOW: She portrays Dr. Zoe Brockett in the new CBS medical drama Pure Genius, but…

THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW HER FACE: Was a lead role in the short-lived drama South Beach that only lasted for 8 episodes on the now defunct UPN network. Prior to that she had small roles in the made-for-TV movie Remembrance and the box office movie Kindergarten Cop.

Jordan Gavaris

WHO HE PLAYS NOW: He plays Felix Dawkins in the critically acclaimed BBC America series Orphan Black, but…

THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW HIS FACE: Was as a regular in the short-lived series Unnatural History that aired on the Cartoon Network. Prior to that he appeared in two episodes of the Canadian teen series Degrassi: The Next Generation.

Morris Chestnut

WHO HE PLAYS NOW: He plays Dr. Beaumont Rosewood, Jr. in the FOX crime drama Rosewood, but…

THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW HIS FACE: Was as part of the cast of the short-lived 1998 crime drama C-16: FBI. Prior to that he appeared in the short-lived comedy Out All Night (with legendary singer Patti LaBelle) and the box office film Boyz n the Hood.

If you were asked to name the first time you ever saw their face, are there any Thursday night TV stars who would fit that bill? Please share.

Please check out previous pieces in our “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” focusing on Monday night TV stars, Tuesday night TV stars and Wednesday night TV stars.