Out of Sight, but Not Out of Mind : Television: Popular shows have often used characters whose faces were never seen by the viewers.

One of the more intriguing characters on ABC’s hit series “Home Improvement” is Wilson, the neighbor who dispenses philosophy and advice to Tim Taylor (Tim Allen) with wit and wry humor.

Wilson is portrayed by Earl Hindman. But unless you call Hindman’s agent and ask for a glossy photograph, you won’t know what he looks like. Wilson is always obscured, usually by the fence that divides his property from the Taylors’. Not showing his face is a running gag: Viewers once saw him painting a self-portrait--but only the top half of his head had been completed.

This gimmick is not new. Here’s a salute to some other personalities who have been heard but not seen (or not fully seen) in television’s history.

* John Beresford Tipton on “The Millionaire” (1955-1960). In the opening of each episode, billionaire Tipton called his personal secretary, Michael Anthony (Marvin Miller), into his study and handed over the name of the person he wished to be the recipient of a cashier’s check for $1 million--tax free. Only the back of Tipton’s head or his hand was on screen. Although the actor who sat in Tipton’s chair was never credited, the voice belonged to Paul Frees.

* Sam on “Richard Diamond, Private Detective” (1957-1960). Sam was Diamond’s contact at his answering service. Her voice was heard but only her body from the waist down, especially her shapely legs, was visible. Mary Tyler Moore played Sam in 1959 and was later replaced by Roxanne Brooks.

* Alan Brady on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (1961-1966). Rob Petrie (Dick Van Dyke) was the head comedy writer for “The Alan Brady Show.” The star of this fictional show, Alan Brady, was played by series creator/producer Carl Reiner. For the first few years, Brady was heard but not seen. Usually just the back of his chair was in view.

* Carlton the Doorman on “Rhoda” (1974-1978). When Rhoda (Valerie Harper) moved from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” located in Minneapolis, to her own show and an apartment in New York City, viewers were introduced to the voice of her apartment building’s doorman. Carlton became known for his catch-phrase, which always preceded announcements over Rhoda’s intercom: “Hello, this is Carlton, your doorman.” It was Lorenzo Music’s distinctive voice that we heard.

* Charlie Townsend on “Charlie’s Angels” (1976-1981). Three beautiful female detectives worked for Townsend Investigations, owned by wealthy Charlie Townsend. Charlie, never seen, explained case assignments over a speaker phone. John Forsythe was Charlie.

* The analyst on “The Trials of Rosie O’Neill” (1990-1991). Each episode began with Rosie O’Neill (Sharon Gless) unloading her troubles to her therapist, played by the show’s producer--and now her husband--Barney Rosenzweig. The back of his chair or his head would occasionally be seen and his noncommittal remarks were heard.