Skip to main content

Scrubs is a popular TV show that ran for nearly 10 years on television. A medical series with a deep undercurrent of sarcasm and humor, Scrubs made a star out of comedian Zach Braff. Although Scrubs made waves due to its humor, showrunners were never afraid to get emotional, and many episodes were very heartwarming.

Among the ensemble cast, Sam Lloyd always stood out — and according to a 2016 report, Lloyd never hesitated to make certain scenes his own, adding a very personal touch to the effects in his office on the show. 

What is ‘Scrubs’ about?

Sam Lloyd on 'Scrubs'
Sam Lloyd on ‘Scrubs’ | Scott Garfield/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

Scrubs tells the story of a group of employees at the fictional Sacred Heart teaching hospital. At the beginning of the series, most of the main characters are interns, and as each season passed, fans were able to watch their favorite characters learn and grow in their roles, eventually becoming high-ranking medical professionals at the hospital. 

The show starred Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and Sarah Chalke in the lead roles, but there were many talented character actors who played supporting roles. Additionally, a wide variety of guest stars appeared on Scrubs, including stars like Brendan Fraser and Heather Graham. Scrubs received critical acclaim and ended up getting a staggering seventeen Emmy nominations.

Much of the honor went to the actors on the show, who devoted their lives to creating interesting, original characters that many viewers were able to relate to. 

Who did Sam Lloyd play on ‘Scrubs’?

Related

‘Scrubs’: The Mistake That Lasted 5 Seasons and Drove Elizabeth Banks Wild

One of the beloved character actors on Scrubs was Sam Lloyd. Lloyd, who played lawyer Ted Buckland, Lloyd, who was born in 1963 and raised by parents who had worked in the performing arts industry, was a multi-talented actor who was also a talented musician. After a few years working in smaller, independent films, Lloyd was a regular on Scrubs from the very first season.

The resident lawyer of Sacred Heart teaching hospital, Ted is frequently depressed and suffers from low self-esteem. He also has a very disruptive, antagonistic relationship with Dr. Kelso, and even admits that he has homicidal thoughts about him.

Ted became one of the most popular characters on the show, with viewers gravitating to his sad-sack ways and self-deprecating personality. Much of his popularity can be attributed to Sam Lloyd, the actor who brought him to life. 

Sam Lloyd slipped a real picture of his mother on ‘Scrubs’

Sam Lloyd appeared on every season of Scrubs, right up until the series went off the air in 2010. After the show ended, he continued to play the role of Ted Buckland on Cougar Town, appearing for three episodes. He also worked on other television shows, including Bones, Shameless, and Dr. Ken. Lloyd brought heart and personality to everything that he did, and he was notorious for slipping interesting bits of humor into his scenes on Scrubs.

In fact, according to a 2016 BuzzFeed article, Lloyd even doctored up his office in the show to make it more personal to him. The report claims that the picture of Ted’s mother that rested on his desk was actually Lloyd’s own mom. 

Of course, Lloyd was also an accomplished musician in addition to his talents as an actor, and even played in a Beatles tribute band. Sadly, Lloyd’s career was brought to a halt when, in January 2019, he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.

Lloyd passed away a little over a year later. Although his family and fans will miss him, his influence on shows like Scrubs cannot be denied, and his work as Ted Buckland will live on in television history.