She was born Maria del Rosario Mercedes Pilar Martinez Molina Baeza, but everyone knew her as Charo. She was a talk-show regular, having made multiple visits on “The Tonight Show,” “The Merv Griffin Show,” and “The Mike Douglas Show.” Charo was a talented actress, singer, and comedian, amongst many other natural talents.
Though she struggled with fluent English, the Spanish superstar used her irresistible personality to appeal to English-speaking audiences and soon became a household name with her “cuchi, cuchi” catchphrase. She was so endearing and would cast a spell on all who interviewed her, as you can see here.
Shari Belafonte
Although she stands in her own right as a model, singer, and actress, Shari Belafonte was still better known as the daughter of Harry Belafonte than she was for her own accomplishments. That's likely to happen. After all, Harry Belafonte was a really big deal, for a really long time.
Before her role in the popular series, "Hotel," Shari worked mostly behind the camera as a production assistant and publicist. After her popularity increased, she appeared on "The Merv Griffin Show." Though she never outshined her father, she continues to act and has been in countless films and television shows.
Sonny & Cher
As their hit single "I Got You, Babe" blew up, the husband and wife duo of Sonny and Cher made their way through the television talk show circuit. One of those appearances was on "The Merv Griffin Show" in 1969, which was a really beautiful sight for everyone involved.
Though their music was a fan favorite, they also appealed to fans with their undeniable love for each other, their dance moves, and their choice of clothing. Sonny and Cher even had their own variety television show called Cher Comedy Hour”, which ran from 1971-1974. Of course, Cher has had a full, illustrious career by herself. But oh, these were the days.
The Time of Your Life
Long before "Friends" or "How I Met Your Mother," there was "The Time of Your Life." With a regular cast of characters, the short-lived show had their characters meet up at their regular hangout spot each week, observing and interacting with others. It was a really beloved show that TV viewers couldn't get enough of.
Stars like Jackie Gleason and Betsy Palmer were the focal points of the show, as Gleason's character, Joe, evaluated the true spirit of each newcomer to their spot. And of course, the stars of the show had many noteworthy appearances on the most popular TV chat shows of the era.
Cher
Surprisingly enough, in 1979, Cher took over as the co-host of "The Mike Douglas Show" for a week-long gig. The diva was able to show off her novel fashion taste but also had an opportunity to perform several of her hit songs. Seriously, who was not going to tune in to that?!
She sang "My Song," Take Me Home," and "Happy Was The Day We Met," to name a few. Cher had a goal in co-hosting the show; she wanted to prove to fans and the world that she was more than just a sidekick to Sonny, and she did!