The 10 Best Classic TV Mego Figures

About ten years ago I started collecting Megos again.

The first step in this pursuit was getting past the sticker shock of discovering that the 8” figures my 10 year-old self bought for less than a fiver were now selling for anywhere from 50 bucks to several hundred dollars, if they were still boxed or carded. That level of demand confirmed I wasn’t the only one going through a second childhood. 

These days there are dozens of action figures (or dolls or whatever your preferred term is), produced by dozens of companies for every type of category imaginable. But back in the 1970s Mego was the only game in town – or at least the only one that really mattered. Most people remember their superhero line that was certainly the most popular, but the company also created figures of many classic TV stars and characters. It was the first and only time one company controlled so many different licenses.

The sculpting on the figures was hit and miss, but with the colorful packaging and “collect them all” appeal, the nostalgic pull of a Mego set remains irresistible. At least to me.

Here is one collector’s opinion of the 10 best TV-inspired figures in the Mego line.

10. Jaclyn Smith

This entry in the company’s line of 12” figures ranks at the low end of our list because the resemblance to its subject is questionable. I bought it for the box, which is beautiful (though with Jaclyn as inspiration that’s almost a given). Same with the Farrah Fawcett figure, though they got a little closer with the sculpting on Farrah. 

9. Commander John Koenig

While I would be surprised if there were a lot of kids in the 1970s putting Martin Landau figures on their Christmas lists, Mego did a very impressive job with its Space: 1999 series. Unfortunately, the company passed on also creating a figure for Dr. Helena Russell (Barbara Bain). If they had, two outfit changes would have got us halfway toward a Mission: Impossible set. 

8. Captain Dobey

Another figure that wouldn’t be high on a lot of collector’s must lists, but I’m always impressed by the way Mego captured the exasperated expression of Starsky and Hutch’s commanding officer.

7. Boss Hogg

The Dukes of Hazzard Mego line offers adequate versions of Bo and Luke, a very disappointing Daisy, and a spot-on Boss Hogg. Rosco’s little fat buddy looks like he’s ready to throw the Duke boys in jail and devour a rack of ribs. 

6. Ponch

The CHiPs line of Mego figures is among the most frustrating to acquire. Each one came with so many accessories (billy club, belt, pistol, glasses, watch, etc.) that finding one loose and complete is a rare feat. It was also more expensive, because if you were going to buy Ponch and/or Jon, you were going to have to spring for the motorcycle as well to complete the look. 

5.  Doctor Who

Tom Baker has such a unique, expressive face (“teeth and curls” as Jon Pertwee’s Doctor once described him) that I imagine this was one of the company’s tougher challenges. I think they did admirable work here, though I do wish the coat were longer and the scarf better matched the colors of the original. For the companion figure they chose Leela, but I’d have preferred they opted for the more popular (and now iconic) choice of Sarah Jane Smith. 

4. Isis

The Egyptian goddess alter ego of science teacher Andrea Thomas has the same doll-like face as Mego’s Wonder Woman and Supergirl figures. But given that the TV series that introduced the character lasted just 22 episodes, I’m delighted to have Isis elevated into the World’s Greatest Superheroes line alongside Batman, Spiderman and The Fantastic Four. My mint-on-card Isis is one of the crown jewels of my collection. 

3. Cher

The Mego sculptors always did a much better job with male figures than they did with females. The Cher figure is an exception. The company acquired the licenses to Sonny & Cher at the height of the duo’s TV popularity, and was determined to get their money’s worth. They not only delivered a stunning likeness, they hired the real Cher’s fashion designer Bob Mackie to create a line of costumes. Sold separately, of course. 

2. Mr. Spock

Given the enduring Star Trek fanbase, there have probably been dozens of Mr. Spock figures created over the past 50 years, but the original still ranks among the best. The only shortcoming is the powder blue coloring of Spock’s phaser and other accessories, which were definitely not Starfleet issue. 

1. Fonzie

I have no statistics to back this up but I would guess that Mego’s Fonzie would rank at or near the top of the best-selling figures the company produced. So many were made that they are still easy to find today at a reasonable price. 

The leather jacket has a nice glossy texture, the white t-shirt and blue jeans are a good match for the costume worn by Henry Winkler, and there’s a lever on the back that triggers a thumb’s up gesture. What more could a fan want? 

More good news for collectors – after a 35-year absence, the Mego brand is back under the leadership of the company’s original Chairman, Marty Abrams. It’s new classic TV figure lines feature characters from Bewitched, The Brady Bunch, Charlie’s Angels, Cheers, I Dream of Jeannie and The Facts of Life. 

The Mego Museum website is the best place online to keep track of the collector's market and what the company has planned next. Check them out at www.megomuseum.com