16 Side Characters Who Became Standout Favorites
Ever root for an underdog who wasn’t even supposed to be here?
Some side characters pop in for one scene, fire off a line, and somehow walk away with the whole show. Underdog energy turns quirks into crowd-pleasers and quick cameos into full-time favorites.
Sixteen scene-stealers prove the best underdogs don’t chase the spotlight – they steal it.
Disclaimer: This article reflects a pop-culture roundup based on widely available production details, credited creators, and commonly reported series history available at the time of writing, and some anecdotes or emphasis can vary by interview source or retrospective framing.
Rankings and character “favorite” claims can be subjective, and interpretations may differ across audiences and eras.
16. Puss In Boots – Shrek Series
Antonio Banderas gave voice to a swashbuckling feline who swaggered into Shrek 2 and never looked back.
Those oversized eyes could melt the hardest ogre heart. The Spanish accent wrapped every line in velvet charm.
Fans demanded more, and DreamWorks delivered two spin-off films plus a Netflix series. Morning cartoons suddenly featured a cat who fences better than most humans.
15. Omar Little – The Wire
Honor shaped every choice Michael K. Williams made in Baltimore’s roughest corners.
Because of that code, a simple whistle of “The Farmer in the Dell” became one of television’s most terrifying sounds.
Following his own rules, Omar Little targeted only drug dealers, earning a twisted Robin Hood reputation.
That fearless approach drew major praise, including public appreciation from Barack Obama. Sunday nights became must-watch television whenever that duster coat appeared, cementing Michael K. Williams’s enduring legacy.
14. Jackie Chiles – Seinfeld
Phil Morris channeled Johnnie Cochran into comedy gold across four unforgettable episodes. Every syllable rolled out with courtroom thunder and alliterative flair.
Lines like “outrageous, egregious, preposterous” became instant catchphrases around office water coolers. The finale gave Jackie one last chance to defend the gang with theatrical indignation.
Lawyers everywhere recognized the parody and laughed anyway.
13. Fez – That ’70s Show
Mystery surrounded the foreign exchange student, whose real name remained unknown for eight seasons.
Because of that intrigue, accent jokes and cultural misunderstandings never felt forced, as Wilmer Valderrama infused Fez with genuine warmth. The basement gang never felt complete without his presence.
Candy obsession and hopeless romantic tendencies gave episodes extra sparkle, making scenes feel like discovering an unexpected treat after school.
12. Ron Swanson – Parks And Recreation
Gruff authority shaped the character, turning a libertarian bureaucrat into America’s favorite government employee.
Because of that presence, Nick Offerman made a single mustache feel capable of intimidating a grizzly bear. Personal quirks like bacon, woodworking, and disdain for skim milk became endlessly quoted at breakfast tables nationwide.
The Swanson Pyramid of Greatness showed up in both cubicles and dorm rooms, demonstrating the wider reach of its effect.
11. Castiel – Supernatural
An angel arrived clueless about pop culture, staying for twelve seasons and leaving a lasting impression. Because of that innocence, Misha Collins’s head tilt became shorthand for celestial confusion.
Watching Castiel fumble through drive-through menus and personal space endeared him to fans.
The trench coat quickly developed its own devoted following. Thursday nights gained extra comfort, knowing an awkward seraph had the Winchester brothers’ backs even when heaven itself turned hostile.
10. Spike – Buffy The Vampire Slayer
James Marsters strutted onto screen as a villain destined for a stake through the heart.
Instead, Spike got a soul, a love story, and a bigger role across the Buffyverse, including time on Angel. The British punk growl became vulnerable and poetic.
Message boards exploded with Team Spike versus Team Angel debates. Evenings spent watching Buffy suddenly required picking sides in a supernatural love triangle.
9. Luna Lovegood – Harry Potter Films
Dreamy wisdom arrived at Hogwarts when Evanna Lynch stepped into a role that shimmered like bottled moonlight. Because of that uniqueness, radish earrings and Spectrespecs made Luna instantly unforgettable.
Classmates often dismissed her as odd, yet Harry discovered a loyal friend who recognized invisible creatures and emotional truths alike.
Her lines continue to punctuate movie marathons, moments that linger long after the scene ends.
8. Boba Fett – Star Wars
Jeremy Bulloch wore the armor that launched a thousand action figures despite barely speaking on screen. That T-shaped visor became the galaxy’s most mysterious silhouette.
Four minutes of Empire Strikes Back screen time sparked decades of expanded universe stories.
Fans debated survival theories long before Disney made them canon, turning lunch breaks into deep lore discussions.
7. Barney Fife – The Andy Griffith Show
Nervous energy became legendary as Don Knotts earned multiple Emmy Awards for the role.
Because of that presence, a single bullet in the shirt pocket conveyed everything about Mayberry’s overeager deputy. Andy Griffith kept Barney’s gun unloaded for good reason, highlighting the character’s harmless charm.
Black-and-white reruns continue to play in living rooms where grandparents recall laughing at his antics every Monday night.
6. Fonzie – Happy Days
Snapped fingers sent a generation echoing “Ayyyy” across living rooms everywhere. After becoming a symbol of cool, that leather jacket eventually became a valuable piece of memorabilia that has even been sold at high prices.
Starting as a minor greaser, Fonzie quickly grew into the beating heart of the show.
Beneath the tough exterior, Arthur Fonzarelli revealed surprising tenderness, proving even the coolest characters had depth. Tuesdays turned into rituals, with viewers watching him fix jukeboxes, mend hearts, and set things right in his own unique way.
5. Loki – Marvel Cinematic Universe
Tom Hiddleston brought Shakespearean gravitas to a Norse trickster god meant to die in Thor’s first act. Instead, Loki cheated death repeatedly and earned his own Disney+ series.
That smirk promised mischief and heartbreak in equal measure.
Fans forgave every betrayal because vulnerability flickered beneath the villainy. Opening night crowds cheered louder for Loki than some actual heroes.
4. Daryl Dixon – The Walking Dead
A crossbow and silent intensity defined Norman Reedus’ first appearance in the pilot episode. Unexpectedly, Daryl emerged as a fan favorite despite not existing in the original comics.
Writers quickly recognized the response, transforming a rough-around-the-edges hunter with a hidden soft side into a franchise cornerstone. Sunday nights turned into rituals, with viewers following him through Georgia’s walker-filled woods.
That trusty crossbow became as essential as any character, dependable and precise like the rising sun.
3. Saul Goodman – Breaking Bad
Television gained a tragic clown when Bob Odenkirk transformed a flashy strip-mall lawyer into a complex, unforgettable figure.
Even beneath the humor, Better Call Saul revealed that comic relief characters carry deep scars. Garish suits masked a man constantly running from Jimmy McGill’s past mistakes.
Fans repeated “It’s all good, man” at parties, often while binge-watching both series in one sitting.
Monday mornings never felt complete without debating the latest of Saul’s cunning schemes.
2. Steve Urkel – Family Matters
Jaleel White burst into the Winslow family home in suspenders, delivering nasal catchphrases meant for a single episode. Over time, Urkel became the character that owned nine seasons of the show.
“Did I do that?” rang out from playgrounds nationwide, cementing the catchphrase in pop culture.
Friday nights centered on Steve’s latest invention exploding while Carl Winslow’s patience evaporated. Physics-defying chaos never grew old, proving that humor and mayhem could coexist perfectly.
1. Dwight Schrute – The Office
Rainn Wilson made beet farming and volunteer sheriff duties somehow endearing across nine seasons of Dunder Mifflin chaos.
Dwight arrived as Michael’s sycophantic sidekick but evolved into the show’s weirdly honorable soul. Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica became a mantra.
Thursday nights meant watching Dwight’s latest power play backfire spectacularly, yet you rooted for him anyway.
