Many television shows have charismatic, funny, and memorable stars and a great supporting cast. Some great shows also feature hilarious and impactful recurring characters. These are the ones that show up for a short time or every few episodes but leave a lasting impression. Here are my favorite recurring characters from some of my favorite TV shows.
Everyone recognizes Central Perk as the go-to hangout on Friends, but the best part of the famous coffee shop was its resident barista, Gunther. He charmed us with his snarky one-liners and endearing Rachel obsession. The frequent scenes with the cast gathered around the couch just wouldn’t have been the same without him.
For most of the series, Futurama‘s Nibbler only made whimpering noises, ate anything in sight, and pooped dark matter. Then, in the episode The Day the Earth Stood Stupid, we find out he is actually the super-intelligent Nibblonian ambassador to Earth, in charge of keeping the universe in existence. Not too bad for a little guy.
Never before has a character made such an impact with such little screen time and basically no speaking. Who couldn’t love the weirder, dirtier, and dim-witted Schrute cousin? Everything he does is hilarious: running beside Jim and Pam’s car as they arrive at Schrute Farms, sitting in the outhouse as the door flaps open in the wind, and instilling FEAR in the heart of temp Ryan.
While Arrested Development features a crazy cast of characters, one of my favorites is Barry Zuckerkorn, the Bluth’s incompetent family lawyer. While he never seems to fully understand anything, he remains likable even with his affinity for rest stops and inability to do anything right.
All the doctors of Seattle Grace unwind at Joe’s. He’s the blunt, wise uncle everyone needs to pour them a drink and put things in perspective. He’s a grounded, relatively normal character in a sea of neurotic, narcissistic, and damaged doctors. Grey’s Anatomy is better with his balance.
Although Lost had a very large cast of very different and memorable characters, one character’s influence pervaded the last several seasons of the show, despite having very little screen time. Penelope Widmore was the driving force that kept Desmond going, saved him from the brink of insanity, and ultimately ended up saving the Oceanic Six.
In a world of show tunes and flamboyant dance routines, Glee‘s Burt Hummel provides some normalcy. He’s a flannel-wearing, car-fixing, donut-loving everyman, who wants nothing more than to protect his family and see his son Kurt happy.
Even though Wilson appears in every episode of Home Improvement, I still couldn’t leave him off this list. He’s the Taylor’s famously mysterious next door neighbor who offers insanely wise advice and keeps an impressive amount of knowledge in his half-concealed noggin. He added a fun part to every episode that we could all look forward to.
Showing my age here, but I’m casting my vote for Wilson.
Wilson was the best! No age judgements here. 🙂
Definitey the best. His character was one of my faves, no matter what, you can’t see his face.
Wilson W. Wilson has my vote.
Mine too. Wilson was amazing, and I’m 22 so you’re not dating yourself. When I think about what my conscience would look like if it had a physical form, it’s Wilson.
I’m 22 and I loooovee Wilson! Best ever! I remember being excited to see his face on the series finale. Home Improvement was great.
I like your post about Tv’s programmed
thanks
For your next blog on this topic I nominate Cartman from South Park.
Well done.
Blessings,
Ava
xox
Thanks, Ava!
I do love Cartman, although he really is one of the main characters on his show. There are certainly a lot of great recurring characters on South Park to consider as well!
TIMMY!
Butters is my fave.
The Chef rules!
Chocolate Salty Balls
I often wondered why Gunther wasn’t given a show as a spinoff. I think it would have been a viable concept, better than “Joey” that’s for sure.
Great thoughts, congrats on being pressed!
Thanks! And I definitely agree about the Gunther spinoff. I would have much preferred that.
In the spirit of the current mania for Betty White, I’ve got to speak up for Sue Ann Niven. One of the best characters for a character actress ever written. 🙂
I have to admit I needed to Google that one. A little before my time, but I imagine she was incredible.
These are all great memorable characters. I’d have a tough time deciding between Gunther and Janice for my “Friends” pick. I love how she never fails to make an entrance.
[insert Janice laugh here]
OH MY GAWD! I love Janice too!
oh yes! i personally would pick Janice though. her appearance in the show is always a surprise.
Love me some nibbla!
Ah, yes, Penelope! and Desmond pining for her… What a love story.
nice sharing .. i like it
Love the cousin from The Office, and yes, Wilson. Fun post!
Gunther! I miss him. I’d have to say I’m partial to Bob Loblaw on Arrested Development though. Man, I miss that show!
Gunther … on my GOD I had a total schoolgirl crush on Gunther! The combination of his snarky comments yet total Rachel-devotion stole my heart!
Thanks for the reminder…
🙂
ha, i love gunther and totally agree that he should have had a spin off. his humour is just so dry. sod it, i want to marry gunther!!
Cool one.. Gunther was really funny… Indeed one of the best recurring characters .. Among the other recurring characters in ‘Friends’ I like Janice and The Gellers…
Anyway … nice list!
Loved Gunther and have to agree for the other comments about what a great spin off that would have been. My favorite recurring characters though, has to be The Lone Gunman from the X-Files. Not such a great spin off granted, but the characters made 9 seasons of unforgettable episodes. Jonathon from Buffy the Vampire Slayer also right up there
Lone Gunman is a definite in the absolute best recurring characters! Three completely different guys hacking the world for a common cause.
Omigosh, I totally agree! The Lone Gunmen are such great recurring characters on The X-Files, especially Frohike.
I’m not much for Gunther on Friends but I love Janice! She cracks me up every time she makes an entrance and laughs.
I miss Wilson… And Home Improvement for that matter. Wish I had a neighbor like Wilson…
Gunther.
And how about Dr Leo Spaceman in 30 Rock? The crazy doc is one of the best recurring characters I’ve ever seen. Also, from Futurama, while Nibbler was brilliant, my favourite was Zap Branigan…what a class-A jerk and what a clown! Super hilarious!
I second Dr. Spaceman. He has some of the best one liners on television.
*stares at lungs x-ray while smoking cigarette.* Damnit, where are my car keys?
Gunther..absolutely king of such characters.
Gunther and Wilson!!!! Love those characters! Friends and Home Improvement were great sitcoms. Thanks for reminding me about them 🙂
Wow, clearly I am not watching enough tv since the only one’s I know are Penelope from Lost and Wilson from Home Improvement!
You don’t know Gunther!!!?
On Futurama I would go with Scruffy the janitor.
Glee would not be the show it is without Burt (Mike O’Malley). He is warm, sweet, complex, and believable! For me all the stand-out episodes have been the ones with him.
Couldn’t agree more!
Hello! I am new to your blog. but I LOVE GUNTHER!
Well done!
Gunther gets my vote
There are so many good ones in Futurama, but Nibbler was a good choice.
I also like a few of the side characters in How i Met Your Mother.
Great ones! I also love Jane Lynch as Dr. Linda Freeman on “Two and Half Men” … she absolutely steals the show!
I adore Gunther! 🙂
He speaks Dutch ❤ 'ezel'
Minor characters can really balance a show, and make it more rich.
Gunther was epic 😀
So was Desmond, in a different way of course..
I don’t think anybody who watched Lost could forget “Not Penny’s boat” line. Loved Gunther on Friends. But in my mind Oh-My-God-Janice tops him….
I know! I definitely shed a couple tears that episode.
Janice was gold!! Loved her!
My vote would be for Wilson and Home Improvement!
I just have to nominate a recurring character from Seinfeld, George’s dad, Frank Costanza.
Jodi
Oooh that’s a great one!
I vote for Wilson, too! But does that mean I’m old? I don’t think I am! 🙂
Great post idea! I love the characters on this list, and I nominate Janice from FRIENDS for an honorable mention spot. Maggie Wheeler did a fantastic job with the character, and I thought Janice and Chandler were a hilarious couple. Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
I do agree that Janice was an exceptional character. What I most liked was all the OTHER characters’ reactions to her. Classic.
Great choices. My personal favorite recurring character is Kirk on Gilmore Girls.
kirk is one my favorite recurring characters too! Miss Patty and Taylor were great characters too.
I loved Penny and Wilson! I miss those shows.
I do have to agree with pleasebekindrewind about Janice. Plus we can’t forget about Richard, though he wasn’t as recurring as I would have liked..
This is a great idea for a post.
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Very nice list, but I must complain about the absence of any Seinfeld characters… Even just Newman would have sufficed.
Also, I love Barry Zuckerkorn, but my favorite from Arrested Development has to be either J. Walter Weatherman or Franklin… but then again you could probably make this list using only Arrested Development characters.
Nice work!
I actually did have Newman on my original list! But I had to cut him because I just didn’t LOVE him the way I do the others.
And I agree about Arrested Development characters. So many memorable ones!
I was thinking about nominating Newman as well, but George’s dad is the one that I will always remember.
Festivus, anyone?
Jodi
Wilson was HILARIOUS!
couldnt agree more! what a great post I loved the Gunther character as Well as the dad in Glee
Ah, Wilson: the great mysterious guru on the other side of the fence. What’s not to love?
Sideshow Bob!
I also really liked two on “Boston Legal”, Lincoln Meyer and Clarence/Clarice, the latter of whom lost a lot when he became a regular.
In the first season of Friends Gunther can be seen walking around the background. He doesn’t speak of have a name until season 2 though.
I have always liked
“Hooch” in Scrubs, for Hooch is crazy.
“Ranjit” the car driver in How I Met Your Mother, loved him for the mockery of Indian accent.
Aghhh… yes, Hooch!! how could I forget? I love Hooch, Hooch is crazy!!
My vote goes to Wilson!
Nibbler from Futurama gets my vote. I remember the ambassador episode!
The algebra teacher from Sabrina xp
Why is Wilson at the bottom of the list? He brought more wisdom to TV than the whole of MTV has in its existence.
No particular order intended. 🙂
Gunther was too funny. One of my most memorable was “the soup nazi guy” from Seinfeld. I think because I meet so many people like that in real life. When ever we get a crazy customer we’re like “no makeup for you…come back one year” haha. Great post.
I don’t see Joe from Grey’s Anatomy anymore. Have they got rid of him lately?
I love Gunther!
I loved and agreed with most of your characters. Not Wilson though. I feel like the show missed out on a TREMENDOUS opportunity to reveal, in the season finale, that he never really existed but was a therapeutic measure of Tim’s psyche. Of course this would have meant consistently clever writing when he “appeared” to interact with other characters… Oh well. I just think it would have been pretty epic.
I only recognized a few of them, but this really made me smile lol
How about Larry’s brother Daryl and his other brother Daryl from Newhart?
Even though we, thankfully, never got to see him, I’d nominate “ugly naked guy” that the “Friends” couldn’t keep their eyes off when he was parading around his apartment. Also, one of the best lines ever from any comedy was when Gunther was the only one with enough courage to matter-of-factly tell the guy (one of the “Friends'” friends?) who kept exposing himself by wearing shorts and going commando and sitting with his leg up: “Hey buddy, this is a family place–keep the mouse in the house.” Probably not his exact words, but I know he used the term “keep the mouse in the house.”
Hey! Great job being “Freshly Pressed.” Excellent list, too.
I nominate Caroline Julian from Bones. She adds so much wit and life to every episode she appears in, telling all the neurotic main characters just where to get off. Not to mention her “puckish” side…
she’s great! I lost it in that recent episode (i think the first sniper ep) when she cried. I was like, “What?? Caroline doesn’t cry!”
A slightly different take … In Joan of Arcadia, I enjoyed how God showed up as a different individual each episode. A janitor, an old lady even a bookstore owner. Made the point well.
Good one! That was a great show, even though it was only on for two seasons. I liked God as the little girl with glasses best.
ha! I forgot all about Dwight’s brother! And Gunther WAS hilarious, but I think my vote is tied between world’s best dad Burt Hummel and the faceless Wilson. Great list!
Yeah, Wilson is probably my favorite, he always had some good advice for Tim.
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If I could choose between the Ugly Naked Guy and Gunther, I think the Ugly Naked Guy has a much more interesting personality even though through the series you never see him. Probably a good thing, but he was never seen or heard.
Wilson & Gunther were my top to tv show favorites! I always wondered what Wilson looked like, my sisters and I would always try and guess! Great memories! Awesome post!
gunther rocks – watching friends again at the moment!
Glee’s the only one of any of these I’ve seen with any regularity. So, without a doubt, I have to go with Stargate SG-1’s Doctor Janet Fraiser.
I loved the Bluth family lawyer. Did you see the episode where, in an homage to the Fonz, as the Bluth lawyer, Henry Winkler literally “jumped the shark?”
Congrats on being freshly pressed!
Kripke from the Big bang theory 😀
I love the father-son relationship of Kurt and his dad on Glee…great choices!
I loved Penny!! She and Desmond were my favorite characters and I always wanted to see more of them.
Aww I love Wilson from Home Improvements.
Yeah! Penny is a remarcable character! I love the part she did in Lost. Great!
I saw a few comments that mentioned Seinfeld. Seinfeld’s brilliance was in its recurring use of recurring characters: in addition to Newman and Frank Costanza, there was Puddy, Uncle Leo, Crazy Joe Davola, the Maestro, Jackie Chiles…even Susan, George’s hapless fiancee. This is fun. Great post, and congrats on being Freshly Pressed.
Beverley Leslie on Will & Grace! Thanks for a fun post – nice work.
waow great film 🙂
Two thumbs up for Wilson 😉
Very very nice… Gunther should have been one of the main characters of Friends
Thumbs up to Gunther! 😀
Barry Zuckerkorn! I love him. But I think I’d have to disagree with you and say that Ann Veal is my favourite recurring character. I die laughing every time she comes on screen.
Okay, I’m REALLY gonna show my age–do you realize that one character is really Arthur Fonzarelli? lol Now Fonzie was the ultimate recurring character on Happy Days because he recurred a few times, then stayed to totally take over the show! 🙂
Love the Fonz!
Loved the Fonz, but I can’t buy him as a recurring character because he DID take over the show, which I would say disqualifies him.
Jodi
I also vote for caracters on Stargate, there is plenty of fun caracters that are really loveable, for instant the sargent in chargo o f stargate, almost every one of the strange scientist in SG-1 and atlantis.
Autolycus in “Hercules”
Where’s Morn from Star Trek: DS9? 🙂
Joe♥
Home improvement is one of my favourite comedy shows to come out of the States. Wilson gets my vote – what a fantastic idea to have a character who can be funny with just two eyes, a hat and a fantastic script!
I had to laugh when I read that Wilson made your list because I happen to be watching reruns of Home Improvement right now! Such a great show with no cussing or nudity. Amazing that this show lasted for so long with only great actors and humor 🙂 I want a Home Improvement movie!
Professor River Song, “Doctor Who” played by Alex Kingston.
Magic.Pure Magic.
Wilson is an original classic….no contest.
Ross: Hey Gunther you forgot my sugar
Gunther: Oh like you don’t already have everything!
hahaha–definitely, gunther!
Bahaha! What a great quote.
Definately Mr. Wilson
I’ll toss my support behind Penny just because Lost was perhaps the most dynamic and ambitious thing ever to air on television. Gotta say, though, Richard Alpert and The Man In Black both topped Penny in my mind. “Across The Sea” and “Ab Aeterna” were two of the best episodes of the entire show, and both so close to the end.
Also, The Simpsons? Has there ever been a show with more iconic characters? Moe, Smithers, Flanders, Principal Skinner, Mr. Burns, Duff Man (Oh yeah!), Lionel Hutz, kings among men all.
Great post. Burt Hummel is a really great recurring character on Glee – funny how some of the people you see least on shows are some of the most instrumental in getting across an important message.
Gunther and Janice are tied for me, they should have got married in a spin off! I also nominate Antony in Sex and City and Kurt in Gilmore Girls.
tim the tool man’s neighbor has to be one of the best recurring characters. i gotta go with jazz from fresh prince of bel air as well.
My name is Maggie, and I approve of this list.
Though I might also add Claudia and Stewart from How I Met Your Mother. They tend to catalyze a TON of drama on that show.
Or – to show my own age a little – Mel Brooks as Uncle Phil on Mad About You. You know a recurring side character is good when he makes the main cast crack up.
Oh, man! Uncle Phil was the best!
Also showing age–Lt. Barclay (the neurotic engineer) on Star Trek: Next Generation.
WILSON! I love it. In fact I loved about 3 of those, the other I had no freaking clue about.
Cartman. Best…Actor…Ever.
Indeed!
For all the actors who feel overlooked and slighted by a small part – it goes to show that sometimes, they can really make all the difference.
Larry, Darryl and Darryl from ‘Newhart’
another show, another time, just as hilarious in their simplistic but profound view of life!
Love Joe, Burt and of course Nibbler! 🙂
dwights brother is awesome
but wilson has to get the vote for best
We are completely from a different age, but Otis on the Andy Griffith show was great. In fact, that show had a host of recurring characters that would be impossible to duplicate today.
Good post, good writing
KL
Omg, I miss Gunther so much! As Phoebe said in the last ep, he was soo sexy! hahahaha
Gosh I miss friends.
Great post!
Wilson is my favourite here. Enlightening yet mysterious. 🙂
Just thought I’d nominate Tammy Swanson, Jean-Ralphio and DJ Roomba from Parks and Recreation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Parks_and_Recreation_characters#Recurring_characters
The fact that Newman isn’t here makes this post just plain heretical, sorry.
I love Wilson but the Schrute brothers always made me feel like I was about to die laughing!
How about a blog showcasing TV’s best recurring actors and actresses? LOL. There have been so many failed series lately that I feel like some actors/actresses are recurring. Summer Glau for example.
I’ve been sitting here now for about 5 minutes thinking about who I’d add to this list. I have no idea, I need more time! Great job, you really got me thinking about the little character drop-ins I always looked forward to on my favorite series.
Hymie the Robot from Get Smart feels unloved, in a robot sort of way.
I love this review. I concur about Wilson and the dad from Glee. I also applaud a couple of those mentioned in the comments: Sue Ann Nivens, the psychiatrist from 2 and a half men, and Larry, Darryl and my other brother Darryl. In the shows from another time category, I would add Carlton the Doorman from Rhoda and Suzanne Pleshette in the conclusion of Newhart: the whole inn in VT things was all a dream!
Oh, I thought of another one to add to the list: the visiting pyschiatrist who came to play poker on MASH.
Yes, Sidney, played by Alan Arbus–the real-life husband of the photographer Diane Arbus.
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excellent movie, good article. i like it. thank you very much.
http://www.jersey-supply.com
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I just thought of someone to add–without a doubt, it would have to be Charlie & Alan’s off and on therapist on Two and a Half Men, played by Jane Lynch. HILARIOUS! Especially in that first episode she was on where they brought her in the see what was wrong with Jake. lol
Thanks Lyn.
That was a really amusing collection of characters plucked from the space heap.
– Matt
Gunther and Wilson made a huge impact on those shows.
Ahhhh Gunther…I miss him! His comedic timing was always spot on.
It’s a good list! But I think I love Eloise Hawking much more than Penelope. She’s just cooler. 😛
Gunther was hilarious. Seriously I don’t even think I have ever met someone with that name. As above in comments,….Larry, Darryl and Darryl were too funny also…now I’m dating myself.
BEVERLY LESLIE in WIll & Grace. hands down.
wilson was easily the wisest man in television. Until Buster Bleuth, that is!!
Let’s not forget the science fiction category, and the inimitable Q from Star Trek: Next Generation. “Just your average crewman…with an IQ of 2000.”
Wilson on Home Improvement hands down best reoccuring character..always said stuff that sounded silly but made sense when you thought of it…plus the actor that played Wilson (Earl Hindeman- died in 03) always wrote the line that he explained to Time..zman sends
what a fun blog! whoever said the lone gunmen, totally agree! and i love love love nibbler, but I have to stick with my favorite comedy ever and go with Barry Zuckerkorn (though your whole list is great). (might i suggest Carl Weathers as himself on arrested development too? and Steve Holt!) another one i thought of (and it was more than once, so it kinda counts) is what i think is the funniest television ever ever ever – David Duchovny on the Larry Sanders Show! fun fun blog idea!!
In every single show mentioned only a few people really know what the meaning behind the delightful laughs and life long experiences one lives every day. Television, radio, even blogs but the best experiences I remember are the ones I had with friends and family. Letting go of the worries of life and just enjoy living… youth is something we all think we leave behind but looking back nomatter how old I’ve been or young I have never stoped growing. Live and learn, or become just another statistic in someone elses eyes.
omg, i finally find someone who likes Gunther!
Awesome work man….living in India I have some of the likes alike to you….
and Friedz rules…
Gunther is the ‘spot’ star…
OK. I find myself thinking up new good recurring charcters–much like how I play Trivial Pursuit, answers come rather slowly. How about Bebe Grazer–the devilish agent on Frasier. Seh was always so wickedly opportunistic!
Dwight’s Cousin Mose From The Office IS Hilarious… I think Wilson could also be considered a main character though so not sure…
http://FunnyOrDie.com/m/5i47
One of my favorite recurring characters was Lt. Reginald Barclay (played by Dwight Schultz) on Star Trek: The Next Generation. The character has also appeared on Deep Space Nine and Voyager.
Wilson was the only one of those I recognize very well…
I love Barclay as well, and it’s a close one, but if it’s Star Trek Next Generation, the ultimate recurring character for me has to be Q (Q and Barclay are my two favorite characters on that show!)
oh my god 我看不懂 怎么办？
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Newman!
Gunther is the best for that..
I got so frustrated about never seeing all of Mr. Wilson’s face, I remember trying to peek over the fence once. I was a little slow.
Gunther was a little creepy, but I’m sure we can all relate.
love this post .. i really like it
Anyday for Gunther. (:
I would have to say Rudy’s friends in the Cosby Show were all my favorite lil munchkins who added their kid humor along with Bill Cosby.
Big Rosie Greenbaum.
That is all.
These are all great memorable characters. I’d have a tough time deciding between Gunther and Janice for my “Friends” pick. I love how she never fails to make an entrance.
That is true ! Especially Grey’s Anatomy’s Joe !!!
It’s a good list! But I think I love Eloise Hawking much more than Penelope. She’s just cooler. 😛
Thank you for sharing content to read.