A turning point in Amandes' career was being cast as Eliot Ness in the television series The Untouchables. He went on to star in The Pursuit of Happiness with Brad Garrett and Larry Miller. Amandes co-starred in the TV drama Everwood from 2002 to 2006. Other television credits include recurring roles on The Guardian, JAG, Spin City, Sisters and From the Earth to the Moon, in which Amandes portrayed Astronaut Harrison 'Jack' Schmitt. Amandes has guest-starred on Roseanne, The Practice, The King of Queens, Just Shoot Me!, ER, Seven Days, The Larry Sanders Show, Greek, The Good Guys, NUMB3RS, and Private Practice.