Someone in the current “Office” thread nominates Dwight Shrute. I think that’s a pretty strong contender.
Define “greatest” any way you like. Who’s the greatest sitcom character ever?
Archie Bunker. It was the first name that popped into my head when I read the thread title and after thinking about it I can’t come up with someone better.
I think Frazier Crane should be a pretty strong contender. He livened up an already great sitcom and then carried his own for years.
Also, Homer Simpson, arguably the best main character of a long running sitcom ever.
I’d go with Archie Bunker, Lucille Ball, Homer Simpson, Bob Newhart, and Hawkeye Pierce.
I like Frazier but for me Cosmo Kramer was the greatest character I can think of.
Archie Bunker. His chair is in the Smithsonian, fer cryin’ out loud.
I’ll agree with those who have said Archie Bunker. O’Connor made him both repellant and sympathetic at the same time.
Couldn’t have said it better.
It’s why I would put O’Conner at the top of sitcom actors.
My only objection is to the qualifer “sitcom.” It always vexes me that comic actors (and authors) get less credit or acclaim that dramatic ones.
For that category, he’s at the top by a long way. I haven’t seen anywhere enough TV over the years to judge how he would rank among all actors. I would venture to say he’s certainly near the top at the very least.
It depends on whether or not you encompass animation. If not, then I’ll have to nominate Louie De Palma.
If you include animation, then it’s a tossup between Homer and Cartman.
My vote is Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock, with Harold & Albert Steptoe a close (joint) second.
Basil Fawlty is the real legend over here - people born years after Fawlty Towers aired have heard the name and know what the character means.
David Brent is probably on the way to Fawlty status.
Archie Bunker, no question about it.
Lucy Ricardo, you mean. And Bob Newhart played two famous characters: Bob Hartley and Dick Loudon.
I prefer the supporting charaters:
Les Nessman
Jim Ignatowski
Dr. Zoidberg
Glenn Quagmire
Dr. Perry Cox
Deputy Barney P. Fife deserves to at least be mentioned in any discussion of the greatest sitcom characters.
I came in here to vote for Louie De Palma, with Frasier Crane as a close second, and Liz Lemon as the dark horse contender.
I’m going with Barney Fife. Honorable mention to Basil Fawlty.
Maynard G. Krebs and Eddie Haskell, to name two that haven’t been mentioned so far.
From a British point of view, it has to be Hancock. The country virtually closed down while ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’ was on the TV. Honourable mentions also to Alf Garnett, Basil Fawlty and David Brent.
Sam Stone listed the five US greats that I would have listed, but surely Mary Tyler Moore or one of her characters should be in there somewhere?