What Did Jonathan Harris Think of Space Academy?

From all accounts he enjoyed it. It was a simple show that he could do in his spare time.

I don't have it on any authority except to assume any actor would welcome a chance to enjoy top billing in a series. And the character of Commander Gampu was a good one. SPACE ACADEMY wasn't anything to be ashamed of, certainly not something "to resort to" as if to keep cans of dog food on the table. He did a fine job here, as did the entire cast.

As a previous poster noted, this was a relatively painless series to do for an actor. Looking at the booklet in the DVD the whole thing was filmed over the Summer of 1977 with only a day or two spent making each episode.

Harris was likely offered the job after turning in those two terrific guest star performances on Filmation's Summer 1976 project, ARK II. Check him out as Fagon in the episodes "The Flies" and "The Drought." He's fantastic in both (especially "The Drought").

It seems that past fame is no promise of future job offers, as many actors can testify. I mean of all people William Shatner had a tough time getting gigs after TREK went off. And Harris wasn't even top-billed on LOST IN SPACE (though he certainly did manage to steal the show out from under its leads), so I'm assuming he was grateful for any work that came along, especially regular work on a series.

I still enjoy watching Harris' guest spot on a SANFORD & SON episode where he really reminded me of Dr. Smith. And if anyone wants to see an outstanding Jonathan Harris performance, keep an eye peeled for the 1963 BONANZA episode "A Passion For Justice" where he played the Immortal Boz himself, Charles Dickens.

On par with Lost in Space? Now there's something to strive for.