1. Fonzie – Happy Days
Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli wasn’t just Richie Cunningham’s best friend—he was the king of cool. Originally meant to be a minor character, the leather-jacket-wearing, motorcycle-riding Fonzie stole the show. Henry Winkler’s charm and signature “Ayyy” made him a pop culture icon. Viewers couldn’t get enough of him, and soon enough, he was getting more screen time than Richie himself. The network even wanted to rename the show Fonzie’s Happy Days, though Winkler refused out of respect for Ron Howard shares MSN.
It’s no surprise that Fonzie became the face of the show. He had the best catchphrases, the best outfits, and even his own signature move—knocking on a jukebox to get it to play. Kids wanted to be him, and adults wished they were as effortlessly cool. Richie may have been the lead, but let’s be honest—most people tuned in for the Fonz.
2. J.J. Evans – Good Times
J.J. Evans had one thing that made him unforgettable: “Dy-no-mite!” Jimmie Walker’s portrayal of the eldest Evans child turned him into an overnight sensation. His character was funny, over-the-top, and full of personality, which made him stand out in every scene. While Good Times was supposed to focus on the struggles of a working-class Black family, J.J.’s antics often stole the spotlight shares Screen Rant.
The audience adored him, but not everyone on set was thrilled about it. His co-stars, particularly John Amos and Esther Rolle, felt that his character was becoming too much of a caricature. But regardless of how the rest of the cast felt, J.J. was the breakout star. Even decades later, people still quote his signature line, proving that sometimes, the sidekick becomes the real star.
3. Huggy Bear – Starsky & Hutch
If you wanted the best streetwise informant in the game, Huggy Bear was your guy. Played by Antonio Fargas, he was always dressed in the flashiest outfits and had the smoothest lines. While Starsky & Hutch was about two cops solving crimes, Huggy Bear added something special. He wasn’t just their informant—he was a scene-stealer. Every time he popped up, viewers knew they were in for some quick-witted banter and a lot of charisma adds St. Louis Magazine.
Huggy Bear was so popular that there was even talk of giving him his own spinoff. Though it never materialized, his impact on the show was undeniable. Without him, Starsky & Hutch wouldn’t have been nearly as fun. Decades later, Huggy Bear remains one of the coolest TV characters of the ’70s.
4. Flo – Alice
Flo may have been a waitress, but she was serving up more than just coffee—she was dishing out attitude and unforgettable one-liners. Polly Holliday’s character on Alice was sassy, brash, and had a way of stealing every scene she was in. Her signature phrase, “Kiss my grits,” became a nationwide catchphrase. While Linda Lavin played the lead, it was Flo who kept audiences coming back for more.
She was so popular that she even got her own spinoff, Flo, in 1980. Though it didn’t last long, it proved just how much audiences loved her. When she left Alice, the show just wasn’t the same. Sometimes, a side character becomes so big that they’re impossible to replace.
5. Louie De Palma – Taxi
Danny DeVito’s Louie De Palma was short, grumpy, and downright mean—but somehow, he was the most beloved character on Taxi. As the dispatcher for the Sunshine Cab Company, he spent most of his time berating the drivers. His insults were brutal, but his delivery made them hilarious. Despite being the antagonist, fans couldn’t get enough of him.
What made Louie so great was that he wasn’t just a one-note character. Underneath all the insults, he had rare moments of vulnerability that made him strangely lovable. DeVito’s performance was so strong that he won an Emmy for the role. While Taxi had a talented ensemble cast, Louie De Palma was the one who kept audiences coming back.
6. Dr. Johnny Fever – WKRP in Cincinnati
Dr. Johnny Fever wasn’t the main character of WKRP in Cincinnati, but he was the one people remembered most. Played by Howard Hesseman, he was the rock ’n’ roll DJ with an irreverent attitude and a voice made for radio. Every scene he was in felt like a party, and his laid-back charm made him the show’s standout.
While the series revolved around the entire radio station, Johnny Fever stole the show with his wild antics. He had some of the best lines and most memorable moments, like the famous turkey drop episode. Fans loved him so much that he became the unofficial face of the show. If you ask people today about WKRP, chances are they’ll bring up Johnny first.
7. Chester Tate – Soap
Soap was filled with wild characters, but Chester Tate, played by Robert Mandan, was one of the most unforgettable. As the philandering, scheming husband of Jessica Tate, he was always at the center of some outrageous drama. His deadpan delivery and ridiculous antics made him a fan favorite. While the show followed multiple interconnected storylines, Chester’s were often the funniest.
Despite being a supporting character, he was one of the show’s most talked-about figures. His over-the-top reactions and cluelessness made him the perfect comedic foil. Even in a cast filled with big personalities, Chester always managed to stand out. It’s no wonder people remember him more than some of the supposed leads.
8. Mr. Roper – Three’s Company
Norman Fell’s Mr. Roper was the grumpy landlord who loved making Jack Tripper’s life difficult. His constant wisecracks and his hilarious interactions with his wife, Helen, made him one of the funniest parts of Three’s Company. His habit of breaking the fourth wall with a smug look at the camera became one of the show’s trademarks.
While John Ritter was the star, Mr. Roper became a scene-stealer. Fans loved him so much that he and Helen got their own spinoff, The Ropers. Unfortunately, it didn’t last, but his impact on Three’s Company was undeniable. When he left, the show wasn’t quite the same.
9. Isaac Washington – The Love Boat
Every good cruise needs a great bartender, and Isaac Washington was the best of the best. Played by Ted Lange, he was always ready with a drink and a smile. His smooth demeanor and signature finger-pointing gesture made him instantly recognizable. While The Love Boat had plenty of famous guest stars, Isaac was a constant fan favorite.
He wasn’t just serving drinks—he was part of the heart of the ship. His easygoing nature made him one of the most likable characters on TV. Without Isaac, the Pacific Princess wouldn’t have been nearly as fun.
10. Lenny and Squiggy – Laverne & Shirley
Michael McKean and David Lander’s Lenny and Squiggy were the ultimate comedy duo. They were loud, goofy, and had some of the best one-liners on Laverne & Shirley. Every time they entered a scene, usually with Squiggy’s signature “Hello,” you knew chaos was about to follow.
While Laverne and Shirley were the leads, Lenny and Squiggy became just as iconic. Their chemistry was perfect, and they had some of the show’s funniest moments. Fans loved them so much that they even had a musical act outside of the show.
11. Schneider – One Day at a Time
Pat Harrington Jr.’s Schneider was the handyman with a heart of gold—and a tool belt that seemed permanently attached to his waist. He was nosy, opinionated, and always ready to offer unsolicited advice, whether Ann Romano and her daughters wanted it or not. With his signature mustache, white T-shirt, and cocky attitude, he was the kind of neighbor who’d walk in uninvited but somehow never wore out his welcome. His blue-collar humor and tough-but-lovable personality made him one of the show’s most endearing characters.
While One Day at a Time was meant to focus on a single mother raising her daughters, Schneider quickly became a fan favorite. He was more than just comic relief—he was a steady presence in the Romano household and sometimes even a father figure to the girls. Audiences loved that underneath his bravado, he had a big heart and genuinely cared about the family. Over the years, his character developed more depth, making him even more beloved. Without Schneider’s wisecracks and well-meaning meddling, the show wouldn’t have been the same.
12. Benson – Soap
Robert Guillaume’s Benson DuBois was supposed to be a background character, but he stole every scene he was in. As the sharp-tongued butler for the Tate family, he had a sarcastic remark for every ridiculous situation. Unlike the clueless rich people around him, Benson was the one with common sense, making his deadpan delivery even funnier. His eye-rolls and witty comebacks were legendary, and it didn’t take long for audiences to realize that he was the real star of Soap.
His popularity grew so much that he got his own spinoff, Benson, which became even more successful than Soap. In the new series, Benson went from butler to state budget director, proving that his character had depth beyond just being funny. Guillaume’s charm and impeccable comedic timing made Benson one of the most beloved TV sidekicks of all time. When a supporting character can carry an entire show on his own, you know he was something special.