TV Appearances

It would be impossible to show photos and give even the briefest description of every TV appearance Edward made in his long career, so this page will just be a selection of his TV work as a tribute to a fine actor.

One of Edward's most popular TV roles was that of 'Elliot Burch', the millionaire entrepreneur in 'Beauty and the Beast'. He appeared in ten episodes during the 1987-89 drama series that fans refused to let die, besieging the TV networks in America when the show was cancelled. Few television shows can have equalled the passion of its viewers and, 12 years on, annual conventions are still held both in the USA and England. A profile of 'Elliot Burch' is now included, and there is a gallery of 40 beautiful photos of Edward from the show.

Edward appeared in "Power Rangers, Timeforce" on the Fox Kids channel (both in the USA & the UK) as The Red Ranger's money-worshiping father, Mr Collins.

In 1998 Edward guest-starred in the hugely successful teen fantasy series "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch". He played Diamond Dave who put the young witch (Melissa Joan Hart) and her aunts (Beth Broderick and Caroline Rhea) through their paces with his own magical schemes and tricks. For a while it looked like he was going to win, but, like any adversary who comes up against the hero or heroine of a movie or TV series, victory was never really an option!

In recent years Edward has made 'bad' almost his trademark and when he appeared in "Silk Stalkings" he was truly evil as Tio Mendoza, snapping former co-star (in "Getting Even"/"Hostage Dallas") Audrey Landers' neck like a twig while pretending to kiss her! A Latino drug-dealer, he eventually met his end in a hail of bullets.

A TV show whose passing I still mourn was the 1983 "The Yellow Rose" (screened again in in the USA in the summer of 2000 by TV Land). It was an unusual genre; a quality western drama series set in modern day Texas with an all star ensemble cast. It followed the lives, loves and emotional turmoil of a wealthy Texas family. Edward, in one of his favourite roles, played the half-American, half-Mexican, 'Quisto Champion', much respected half-brother to 'Roy Champion' (David Soul), who had risen above his roots to become a lawyer. Sam Elliot played another 'prodigal' brother returning to the fold after hearing of the death of his father, and a romance developed between him and his stepmother, the beautiful Cybill Shepherd. The cast also included Susan Anspach, Noah Beery Jnr. and traditional 'baddie' Chuck Connors as regular characters. The stories were good and why the show only lasted for one season I really can't imagine.

For fans of this terrific drama series, here is a list of the episode titles: (Edward fans check out "Chains of Fear" :-)

1. Pilot	12. Hell Hath No Fury
2. Divided We Fall	13. Deadline
3. When Honor Dies	14. Land of the Free
4. Walls of Fear	15. Sport of Kings
5. Sins of the Father	16. Running Free
6. Breaking Trail	17. Sacred Ground
7. Moving Targets	18. Debt of Honor
8. Trail's End	19. Chains of Fear
9. A Question of Love	20. Beyond Vengeance
10. Only the Proud	21. Villa's Gold
11. Divide and Conquer	22. The Far Side of Fear

Edward played Luc Gabin, a French soldier of fortune whom Hawkeye (Lee Horsley)first encounters as a member of what appears to be a tribe of Native Americans. Under instructions from the harsh and unscrupulous Captain, Hawkeye captures Gabin. Back at the fort, since the stranger appears, at first, to speak no English, Elizabeth (Lynda Carter) is persuaded to translate during his interrogation. When it becomes clear, however, that he will be used as a punching bag if he doesn't declare his people's intentions, she refuses to be a party to such treatment. During the short period of time that Luc Gabin is held at the fort, a tentative mutual friendship develops between him and Hawkeye with each man recognising much of himself in the other. In a clever plan to escape, Luc, during a knock-out boxing tournament, allows himself to be beaten unconscious in order to be taken to the hospital where he soon overpowers the guard, snapping his neck with ease. When his escape is discovered, Hawkeye is despatched to bring him back, but both men know the proud, loyal Frenchman will never allow this to happen. The two meet in a forest under cover of darkness knowing there can be only one survivor. N.B. In 1995, Edward named this particular role as his favourite in a decade.

Edward's guest-starring role in the Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman episode "Where The Heart Is", posed a serious dilemma for his fans, because in exactly the same way that Catherine was destined to be with Vincent in Beauty and the Beast, Dr Michaela Quinn was destined to be with Sully, so we knew that, once again, Edward's character wasn't going to get the girl. But he was wonderful in the sympathetic role of Dr Burke and added even more interest and excitement to another great show. Interestingly, some time ago now, Edward and his father, along with James Brolin, filmed a pilot show, for Beth Sullivan (Creator of Dr Quinn) which was intended as a spin-off series called California, although, to my knowledge, this has not been screened on either side of the Atlantic. In fact Edward was later involved in another Sullivan project; a TV drama called West Point so who knows, this may even make it to our TV screens before California. Who can figure these TV networks, either in the UK or the US?

Everyone remembers the long-running drama series, "Falcon Crest" and Edward had the kind of role that actors love. He played Jeff Wainwright, an infinitely charming, handsome, plausible and... completely psychotic...writer with an unhealthy obsession for happily married leading lady Maggie Gioberti, (Susan Sullivan). Convinced that she is equally in love with him but simply fighting her feelings, Jeff first stalks her and then, despite being under police protection, kidnaps her from her home and imprisons her.

It's a powerful storyline which becomes even more terrifying when, having impregnated Maggie, Jeff is caught but escapes from custody and turns his attentions to her daughter instead, in order to get to Maggie. He engineers a meeting with the young woman, seduces her and then, when his identity is revealed in a newspaper, freaks out completely and imprisons her too, even going so far as to make her look like her mother by forcing her to wear a blonde wig. Of course there can be only one end for a villain such as this, and Edward's brilliant portrayal of the psycho came to an end in a hail of fire and bullets.

This photo is from the 1978 NBC mini-series "Black Beauty", in which Edward portrayed Lewis Barry. The official studio note attached to the photos reads: "Lewis Barry (Edward Albert) takes the sleek and spirited Black Beauty for a ride, in the five-part adaptation for television of the heartwarming family classic..." Unfortunately I have never seen the show and have been unable to get any more information on it. If anyone out there can help out, I'd be grateful.

In the early 80's Edward guest-starred in Season 1 (A Man Alone) of Deep Space Nine, one of the most high-profile shows of the decade when he played Mr Zayara, the leader of a group of Bajorans who was determined to cause headaches for Security Officer Constable Odo. Although it wasn't a sympathetic role, I would personally have loved to see Edward get a recurring character (even this aggressive trouble-maker!) since it would have made him a much more well known name in the UK.

An early '70's role in a two part episode of "Kung Fu" (Blood of the Dragon) was special; it was one of the few times - others were in the movie "The Girl From Mars" and an episode of "Time Trax" - that Edward acted on screen with his father, Eddie Albert (see left with Season Hubley). But while Eddie played the endearing Dr George Baxter, Edward was Johnny, the spoiled and bullying grandson of a wealthy but obnoxious woman (played by Patricia Neal) with a 'shameful' family secret in which the series star, David Carradine as Caine, unwittingly has a part.