20 Funniest Sitcom Side Characters, Ranked

Sitcoms are full of memorable side characters who often become fan favorites – think Frank Costanza from Seinfeld or Tammy 2 from Parks and Recreation. It proves the saying that there are no small roles, only small actors, because even a brief appearance can be incredibly impactful and sometimes even outshine the show’s leads.

Sitcoms always rely on strong lead characters – think Selina Meyer in Veep, the Griffins in Family Guy, or Mary Richards in The Mary Tyler Moore Show. However, some of the funniest moments in those shows actually come from supporting characters who appear in just a handful of episodes, like Uncle Jeff, Mayor West, and Sue Ann Nivens.

Often, supporting characters really elevate a show. Think about how much funnier Silicon Valley is with Russ Hanneman, or Modern Family with Pepper Saltzman. From Evelyn Harper on Two and a Half Men to Leon Black on Curb Your Enthusiasm, these characters are some of the most hilarious sidekicks in sitcom history.

Doug Judy

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Doug Judy, known as the Pontiac Bandit, is widely considered the best recurring villain on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He’s a charming car thief who operates in New York City. Throughout the show, he forms a complicated, almost buddy-cop-like relationship with Detective Jake Peralta. Jake often struggles with conflicting feelings – wanting to arrest Judy as his duty requires, but also genuinely liking him.

Craig Robinson and Andy Samberg have fantastic chemistry together, making their scenes incredibly charming. Meanwhile, Jake keeps hoping Judy will turn over a new leaf, but she always reverts to her life of crime, leaving him disappointed.

Mayor Adam West

Family Guy

While Family Guy definitely took inspiration from The Simpsons, it quickly developed its own unique style. Both shows feature a corrupt mayor who keeps winning elections – Springfield has one, and Quahog has Adam West, best known for playing Batman. After his time as Batman, West often played over-the-top, comedic versions of superheroes, but Family Guy cleverly let him subvert that expectation.

Mayor West on Family Guy is arguably the show’s most unpredictable character, and that’s high praise considering the show’s cast. He constantly says bizarre, unexpected things. Interestingly, the show suggests he’s not just eccentric, but deliberately pretends to be silly to hide a potentially dangerous and violent side.

Justine Sikowicz

Superstore

The characters at Cloud 9 in Superstore were consistently funny, but Justine was particularly scene-stealing. She tries to come across as a wild and exciting person, but everyone around her keeps reminding her that she doesn’t quite pull it off.

Kelly Schumann was perfect with her lines and physical comedy. Justine, however, constantly tells inappropriate jokes that no one enjoys but herself, and she always seems proud of them. She also has a habit of repeating random phrases and insists all her friends live far away in Manhattan, explaining why they’re never available.

Russ Hanneman

Silicon Valley

Even when Richard Hendricks is ignored and rejected by all the other investors, Russ Hanneman always has his back. Russ is a flamboyant billionaire who’s very proud of his immense wealth, fixates on trivial details like how his car doors open, and is constantly dealing with legal issues from his childcare providers.

Chris Diamantopoulos was clearly enjoying himself playing this character. He dominated every scene with his portrayal of Russ’s fast-talking, energetic personality. Russ instantly became iconic – and unforgettable – with his very first line, “This guy fks.”

Evelyn Harper

Two and a Half Men

Two and a Half Men follows the lives of two brothers, Charlie and Alan, who have very different personalities. Charlie is a relaxed and single guy, while Alan is anxious and always trying to make others happy. Their lives change when Alan’s wife asks him to move out, and he ends up living with Charlie. The brothers’ difficult and controlling mother, Evelyn, soon appears, and it becomes obvious where their personalities come from.

Evelyn’s harsh and emotionally distant parenting style caused Charlie to struggle with forming close relationships with women, while Alan constantly sought their validation. Holland Taylor brilliantly portrayed their mother, showcasing fantastic chemistry with her on-screen sons and delivering each sharp, witty line perfectly.

Mr. Gilbert

The Inbetweeners

The high school setting wasn’t a major focus in The Inbetweeners, but whenever the characters were at school, Mr. Gilbert always managed to steal the show. Actor Greg Davies based the character on his own experiences as a teacher, portraying Mr. Gilbert as a harsh and uncompromising figure who wouldn’t tolerate any disrespect from his students.

Mr. Gilbert is a shockingly unprofessional teacher. He uses inappropriate language with students, makes fun of their struggles, and seems disengaged from his work. His relationship with Will was constantly amusing, largely because they have completely different personalities.

Bevers

Broad City

A hilarious running joke on Broad City was the mysterious absence of Abbi’s roommate, Melody. Despite never being seen, Melody’s boyfriend, Matt Bevers, was always at their apartment, usually playing video games on Abbi’s couch. He became such a fixture that the show joked he’d even developed a pain from sitting on it for so long – they called it a “couch-sore.”

John Gemberling is fantastic as Bevers. He portrays a character you’d likely dislike if you met him in person, but he’s incredibly funny on screen.

Sue Ann Nivens

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Before becoming a beloved star on The Golden Girls, Betty White first gained national attention with her funny and memorable role as Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She brilliantly portrayed a character who was sweet on television but secretly mischievous and a bit mean in real life, creating a hilarious contrast that audiences loved.

On her show, The Happy Homemaker, Sue Ann appears warm, friendly, and always cheerful, going out of her way to be helpful. However, behind the scenes, she’s quite the troublemaker and often creates difficulties for Mary Richards.

Carl Weathers

Arrested Development

It’s often amusing to see celebrities play exaggerated versions of themselves, especially when they poke fun at how the public sees them. But it can be equally funny when a celebrity’s on-screen parody doesn’t relate to their real-life image at all. For example, Carl Weathers played a version of himself as an acting coach on Arrested Development, and the character had nothing to do with his famous role as an action star from the 1980s.

Instead, Weathers portrayed himself as extremely cheap, always searching for ways to save money or get something for free. He really embraced the character, whether he was showing off his budget-friendly stew recipes or making a deal with Burger King for a sponsorship.

Mel

Flight of the Conchords

The band at the heart of Flight of the Conchords has just one fan, and she’s intensely, almost frighteningly, devoted – think a superfan on the level of Annie Wilkes. Before becoming famous for her role as Louise Belcher, Kristen Schaal first gained recognition among comedy fans for playing the character Mel.

Bret and Jemaine deal with Mel’s intense interest in their band with their typical dry humor. They’re polite to Mel, even though she slightly unnerves them, and they go out of their way to be kind to her husband, Doug, even when Mel tells him to stay silent around them.

2025-11-12 15:01