Series regulars or semi-regulars in 'American Dream' from 1970-1982:
- Andrea Smith as Jennifer Novak (1981)
- Hans Conried as Abe Berlowitz (1981)
- John McIntire as Sam Whittier (1981)
- Karen Carlson as Donna Novak (1981)
- Michael Hershewe as Todd Novak (1981)
- Stephen Macht as Donny Novak (1981)
- Tim Waldrip as Casey Novak (1981)
1970-1982 Episode Guide for 'American Dream':
(Episodes with dates prior to 1970 aired as reruns.)
Season 1, episode 1
W: Ken Hecht, Barbara Corday, Ronald M. Cohen D: Mel Damski
With John Karlen (Coach Ritter).
Special 90-minute premiere of a dramatic series about a contemporary American family, disillusioned with suburban life, that moves back to the timeworn, racially-mixed inner city Chicago neighborhood where the father was born.
Season 1, episode 2
W: William Blinn D: Ray Danton
With Dirk Blocker (McDonald), Charles Penland (Jerome), John Karlen (Coach Ritter).
Danny's stint as a substitute coach is complicated by an undercover narcotics officer on the team, and Danny inadvertently causes his son Casey to be accused of "snitching" on student drug users.
Season 1, episode 3
W: Ronald M. Cohen, Allen Clare D: Larry Elikann
With Jo Ann Harris (Myra), Aidan Quinn (Scooter), Steve Stark (Willie), Chuck Stransky (Royal).
Casey plunges into a relationship with a young mother who is separated from her alcoholic husband.
Season 1, episode 4
W: Linda Elstad D: Jack Bender
With Timothy Wead (John), Lloyd Gough (Murphy), Roz Alexander (Mrs. Dingman), Lisa Lopez (Becky).
Todd becomes jealous of his brother, so Sam helps him get a job working with horses.
Season 1, episode 5
W: Peter Lefcourt D: Jerry Thorpe
With Donn Carl Harper (Nate Cross), Bruce Kirby (Sgt. Witofsky), Helen Rubio (Paula), Alex Colon (Raul), Ira Rogers (Sgt. Perez).
The sometimes painful experience of living in the inner city hits home for the Novak family when their newly acquired house is ransacked -- and Casey is concerned that his new friend may be responsible for the robbery. (Last show of the series.)