Which TV Stars Became Cultural Icons?
Most sitcoms come and go, but then, there are those that continue to be played on prime time TV even decades after they stopped producing new episodes. Why do people keep tuning in? The characters, of course! Whether you're a fan of sitcoms or not, it's impossible to go through life without hearing a few references to Joey from Friends' catch phrase, "How you doin'?" or Homer Simpson's "D'oh!" It's a testament to what a large impact a well-written TV character can have on a culture. From the chaotic Cosmo Kramer to epically geeky Sheldon Cooper, here are the absolute best sitcom characters of all time.
1. George Costanza
Seinfeld was full of relatable and hilarious characters, but none better than the flailing George Costanza. Based on a clearly self-deprecating Larry David himself, George embodies the worst side of all of us. He's cheap, insecure, cynical, and perpetually unlucky.
2. Ron Swanson
Do yourself a favor and watch Ron Swanson Parks & Recreation highlights. The mustachioed, meat-loving, emotionally unavailable man played by a deadpan Nick Offerman will make your mouth hurt from laughing.
3. Kramer
Few TV characters are more iconic than Cosmo Kramer. His unwavering self-confidence despite having no real skills, his eccentricity, chaotic energy, and knack for getting himself into all sorts of strange situations make him the most integral character of the show. He lives rent-free in our heads just like he pretty much does in Jerry's apartment.
4. Joey Tribbiani
Joey from Friends' "how you doin'?" is more than just a catch phrase; it has become part of our cultural consciousness. It wouldn't have had the same effect if uttered through the mouth of anyone less lovable and goofy.
5. Karen Walker
Will & Grace's Karen Walker is the best friend we all need. Outrageously wealthy, sassy, savage, and perpetually tipsy, she's the queen of one-liners and always entertaining.
6. David Brent
No character is more cringeworthy than Ricky Gervais's self-deluded branch manager David Brent from the original The Office. He makes the audience so uncomfortable, you want to turn away, but also somehow can't stop watching.
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7. Detective Jake
Detective Jake from Brooklyn Nine-Nine is the ultimate man-child. He's somehow very good at his job of solving crimes, but he has the maturity of a teenage boy, an obsession with 90s action flicks and pop culture references, and is a total goofball.
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8. Sheldon Cooper
The quintessential nerd, Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory, is the neurodivergent leading man we didn't know we needed. He's hilariously pedantic and socially oblivious, but brilliant and endlessly quotable.
9. Lucille Bluth
Lucille Bluth is living in her own little world of privilege, far away from reality. She's the icy, ruthless matriarch of the dysfunctional Bluth family who's always impeccably dressed with a martini in her hand.
10. Elaine Benes
Elaine Benes from Seinfeld is perhaps the most believable and relatable sitcom character ever written, particularly if you're a thirtysomething woman. She's the quick-witted, independent master of eye-rolls. And let's never forget her infamous "get out!" which sometimes involves a much-too-hard shove.
11. Bob Belcher
Bob Belcher, the endlessly patient everydad of Bob's Burgers, is just trying to get through the day and sell some burgers without anything weird happening. He's the overworked, quietly hilarious head of a household of total weirdos who exasperate him endlessly.
12. Gob Bluth
Arrested Development was a machine churning out characters of absolute gold, Gob being one of the wackiest. He's the delusional, arrogant, impulsive, and endlessly frustrating brother who's just a constant disaster.
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13. Dwight Schrute
The Office wouldn't be complete without the lovably infuriating Assistant to the Regional Manager, Dwight Schrute. He's an expert in everything (according to himself), is the constant target of Jim's pranks, and no doubt spends his weekends tending to his beets.
14. Leslie Knope
Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation takes her job in local politics a little too seriously. She's relentlessly optimistic, a driven epitome of a "can-do" leader.
15. Homer Simpson
The Simpsons wouldn't be the longest-running American sitcom without a lovable main character. The lazy, shockingly inept, and clueless Homer Simpson fits the bill perfectly. He's a slapstick machine with the parenting skills of a convict and satisfying one-liners like "D'oh!"
16. Jack Donaghy
30 Rock's Jack Donaghy is a ruthless TV executive who's a little detached from reality but forms an endearing, albeit peculiar, friendship with Liz Lemon. He's full of scathing wit, ego, and sophistication, with a propensity for the finer things like scotch and always wearing a tuxedo after 5 p.m.
17. Barney Stinson
How I Met Your Mother's Barney Stinson is a sharply dressed self-proclaimed ladies' man who loves being the center of attention. His over-the-top schemes often drive the plot of the show.
18. Rose Nylund
Rose Nylund from The Golden Girls, famously portrayed by Betty White, is a gentle, naive, nurturing, and empathic woman. She was the big-hearted small-town girl who never ceased to come out with their weirdest anecdotes.
19. Jazz
Jazz from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was Will's best friend. He was cool as a cucumber but hilariously clueless, always saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, but he did have some fresh outfits. Despite not getting that much screen time, he was an undisputably memorable character.
20. Alf
Alf was one of the most popular sitcoms of the 80s, and a lot of that had to do with the title character. Played by a puppet and a hysterical voice actor, Alf was a cat-loving extra-terrestrial who crash-landed into a normal American suburban family. He's full of sarcasm, mischievousness, and curiosity about Earthlings.
