One Of The First Twilight Zone Episodes Ever Filmed Featured A Future Sitcom Legend

The Twilight Zone, a classic anthology series, has long been known for showcasing actors who would later become major stars. The Lonely, the first episode of The Twilight Zone to be produced after the pilot, is a prime example of this trend. Even though it was not the first episode filmed, it marked the debut of future Mary Tyler Moore Show star Ted Knight in a small, uncredited role. The first episode ever shot for the show, "Where Is Everybody?" premiered on October 2, 1959.

In "The Lonely," Jack Warden, who would later appear in one of the show's weakest episodes, portrays a convicted murderer sentenced to solitary confinement on a desolate asteroid. A spaceship captain delivers him a robot woman, played by Jean Marsh, leading to a blurred line between human and machine. Eventually, their relationship ends tragically. Even though Knight has a few lines, he is not credited in the episode, a testament to his early career.

Knight had already appeared in shows like Highway Patrol and Gunsmoke before landing his breakthrough role. He began playing Ted Baxter on CBS's The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1970, a character that would become his most beloved. However, Knight's success extended into the 1980s as well, with his role as Henry Rush on ABC's Too Close for Comfort.

Despite having a small role in "The Lonely," Knight's journey to stardom began with this challenging episode. The production faced numerous difficulties, including the intense heat of Death Valley, where they sought a suitable filming location. Temperatures reached around 130 degrees, causing some crew members to drop from exhaustion.

One incident involved cinematographer George T. Clemens falling off a camera crane due to overheating. After two days of shooting in Death Valley, the production returned to the studio to complete interior scenes on a comfortable set.