Jagger achieved success in the television series "Mr. Novak" (1963–65) receiving Emmy Award nominations for his role in 1964 and 1965, as well as the California Teachers Association's Communications Award, along with star James Franciscus, in 1963 for his portrayal of high school principal Albert Vane. However, even before he left the show to have a major medical operation, he was less than happy with the series, clashing repeatedly with the writers and directors and describing "the Mr. Novak company" afterwards as "a mishmash of unbelievable amateurishness."