What are the 25 most memorable TV doctors? Which TV doctors have made a lasting impression on audiences over the years? Discover the most iconic fictional physicians from television history.

Iconic TV Doctors from Decades Past

For over 50 years, medical dramas have been a staple of prime-time television. Audiences have eagerly awaited their weekly house calls with top TV doctors, from the nurturing Marcus Welby to the precocious Doogie Howser and the charming Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd. While these big names are easily recognizable, there are many other notable fictional physicians who have left a lasting impression.

James Kildare: The Calm and Collected Intern

Years in practice: 1961 to 1966 on NBC’s Dr. Kildare
Specialty: Internal medicine
Hospital affiliation: Blair General Hospital in New York City
Bedside manner: As a young intern, Dr. Kildare (played by Richard Chamberlain) brought a calm, cool, and collected demeanor to the hectic and tense hospital atmosphere. No matter the health issue, Kildare and his mentor, the experienced Dr. Leonard Gillespie (Raymond Massey), connected with their patients on a personal level, prescribing gentle but effective advice and treatment.

Ben Casey: The Idealistic and Brooding Surgeon

Years in practice: 1961 to 1966 on ABC’s Ben Casey
Specialty: Neurosurgery
Hospital affiliation: County General
Bedside manner: The idealistic and brooding surgeon (played by Vince Edwards) would often find himself at odds with the hospital’s powers that be. To help offset his surly nature, Casey sought the help of his two more compassionate confidantes, Dr. Maggie Graham (Bettye Ackerman) and Dr. Ted Hoffman (Harry Landers). Together, the doctors dealt with a wide variety of issues like racial tension, immigration, child abuse, and euthanasia.

Steve Hardy: The Dedicated Chief of Internal Medicine

Years in practice: 1963 to 1996 on ABC’s General Hospital
Specialty: Internal medicine
Hospital affiliation: General Hospital in Port Charles, N.Y.
Bedside manner: The dedicated chief of internal medicine (John Bernadino) at Port Charles’ hospital frequently put his job before anything else. His hard work and devotion inspired his colleagues to follow his example, especially nurse and wife Audrey March (Rachel Ames). In a shocking turn of events, Hardy became paralyzed after a fall, but with his wife’s help, he made a remarkable recovery and returned to the hospital. Hardy died in 1996 of a heart attack after more than 30 years of service.

Marcus Welby: The Patient and Loyal Physician

Years in practice: 1969 to 1976 on ABC’s Marcus Welby, M.D.
Specialty: Internal medicine
Hospital affiliation: None
Bedside manner: Patient and loyal, Dr. Welby (Robert Young) invested his time and knowledge in each of his patients. While dealing with a wide variety of often ground-breaking issues, including addiction, autism, cancer, and rape, Welby and his younger colleague Steven Kiley, MD, (James Brolin) went beyond diagnosis and treatment to connect with their patients emotionally as well.

Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy: The Passionate and Skeptical Chief Medical Officer

Years in practice: 1966 to 1969 on NBC’s Star Trek
Specialty: Internal medicine
Hospital affiliation: None
Bedside manner: The passionate and intelligent Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) did not shy away from confrontation with his fellow colleagues aboard the Starship Enterprise. As chief medical officer, McCoy tended to be skeptical of relying on technology to heal patients, believing instead in the power and wonder of the human body’s ability to heal itself. While the officers boldly went where no man had gone before, McCoy was strict about sticking with his medical duties.

Hawkeye Pierce: The Surgeon with a Wicked Sense of Humor

Years in practice: 1972 to 1983 on CBS’s M*A*S*H
Specialty: Surgery
Hospital affiliation: 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in South Korea
Bedside manner: A second-generation doctor, Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce (Alan Alda) knew the importance of keeping a level head while treating the critically wounded patients in wartime Korea, but the chief surgeon was also known for his womanizing ways, quick wit, and pranks. On one occasion, Pierce became so disgusted with a colonel who willingly sent his men into harm’s way that he drugged the officer and removed his appendix so he would be relieved of his command.

Trapper John: The Exuberant Chief of Surgery

Years in practice: 1979 to 1986 on CBS’ Trapper John, M.D.
Specialty: Surgery
Hospital affiliation: San Francisco Memorial Hospital
Bedside manner: Nearly 30 years after his return from the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH), the exuberant Dr. John “Trapper” McIntyre (Pernell Roberts) calmly managed the chaos of a local hospital as its chief of surgery. Along with a ragtag group of fellow doctors, Trapper John dealt with a wide range of medical and personal issues with his trademark enthusiasm and compassion.