Funniest Sitcom Characters of All Time
Whether you’re a fan of classic sitcoms or modern hits, there’s one thing you’re sure to agree on: everybody loves the funny characters that bring out the best in these beloved shows. From the sassy sister to the silly neighbor, sitcom characters never fail to bring laughter and joy. To show our appreciation for all that hilarity, let’s take a look at 10 of the funniest sitcom characters of all time.
- Phil Dunphy of Modern Family
Phil Dunphy, played by Ty Burrell, is the endearingly dorky head of the Dunphy family on the hit series Modern Family. Phil is a loving husband and father, who, despite his best intentions, often comes off looking naive and goofy. From his unfortunate pratfalls to his inability to do just about anything the “cool” way, his everyday struggles make for frequent comedic moments throughout the show.
- Louie De Palma of Taxi
Louie De Palma, portrayed flawlessly by Danny DeVito, was the curmudgeonly head dispatcher of the Sunshine Cab Company on the classic TV series Taxi. Always looking to make a quick buck by scamming his drivers, Louie’s greed often lands him in awkward predicaments. His whining, cantankerous attitude and countless schemes are the perfect source of amusement for Taxi fans.
- Dwight Schrute of The Office
The Office is filled with many unforgettable characters, but none quite so hilarious as Dwight Schrute, played by Rainn Wilson. This eccentric, serious-minded salesman was constantly trying to prove his worth to his coworkers and superiors. Despite his superiority complexes, Dwight’s endearing loyalty and bizarre behavior often left viewers laughing out loud.
- Cliff Huxtable of The Cosby Show
Bill Cosby had us in stitches with his portrayal of the lovable patriarch of the Huxtable family. Grumpy yet still wise, Cliff Huxtable was always there to provide the fatherly advice and guidance his family needed, even if his comic style of delivery made his lessons light-hearted at times. After a tumultuous few years, we can still remember The Cosby Show and the laughter it brought to our living rooms.
- Muttley of Wacky Races
Muttley, Hanna-Barbera’s second-in-command canine on the classic cartoon Wacky Races, was as sneaky as he was sarcastic. The dim-witted pup followed Dick Dastardly around on his crazy antics, often disgruntledly groaning in protest. Muttley never failed to make us laugh with his characteristic scoffing and grumbling, and he has undoubtedly become an iconic figure in cartoon comedy.
- Maxwell Smart of Get Smart
Maxwell Smart, played by the incomparable Don Adams, is one of comedy’s most beloved goofballs. His bumbling one-liners and sloppy secret agenting were enough to keep viewers laughing throughout the classic TV show Get Smart. Whether he was getting caught in his own traps or finding himself in bizarre sticky situations, Maxwell’s pratfalls never stopped us from cheering him on.
- Uncle Jesse of Full House
John Stamos brought a certain kind of rock-star coolness to Uncle Jesse, the fun-loving uncle on the beloved sitcom Full House. Uncle Jesse was always ready with a good joke and an impromptu guitar jam session, which made him the life of the party (and sometimes the party’s reformed source of chaos). His charismatic attitude kept us laughing over the years.
- Red Forman of That ’70s Show
Kurtwood Smith brought his unique brand of sarcasm to the show That ’70s Show, playing the humorous and no-nonsense parent, Red Forman. Red’s level-headedness often put him in opposition to his son, Eric, and his free-wheeling buddies, providing plenty of entertainment for viewers. His overbearing presence and dry comments were enough to make us chuckle every time.
- Laverne DeFazio of Laverne & Shirley
Part of the classic double act Laverne & Shirley, Laverne DeFazio, played by the late Penny Marshall, was a lovable goofball who served as the perfect counterpart to her more timid friend. From her exaggerated reactions to her over-the-top singing, Laverne always brought her own distinctive brand of comedy to the show.
- Archie Bunker of All in the Family
Last but certainly not least, we have Archie Bunker of All in the Family. Portrayed by the legendary Carroll O’Connor, Archie Bunker stole the show with his liberal use of politically incorrect expressions and bluntness. Despite his occasionally xenophobic tendencies, we couldn’t help but laugh at his loud, exasperated outbursts and his never-ending banter with his wife, Edith.
The Fearless Hilarity of These Funniest Sitcom Characters
It’s no secret that laughter is the best medicine, and these characters certainly provided us with plenty of that. From the cunning schemes of Louie De Palma and the naive buffoonery of Phil Dunphy to the no-nonsense wit of Red Forman and the politically incorrect humor of Archie Bunker, these characters remind us that comedy can come from all walks of life.
From their entertaining daddy issues to their snappy comebacks and subtle sight gags, these characters have brought countless hours of laughter to audiences over the years. As we look back on these classic sitcom favorites and all the wonderful chaos they brought, one thing is clear: it takes fearless hilarity to make timeless comedy, and these funniest sitcom characters have certainly showed that to us over the years.
