1. Mork from Mork & Mindy
Robin Williams turned Mork into one of the most unforgettable characters of the late ’70s and early ’80s. The alien from Ork brought childlike wonder and a knack for chaos to Boulder, Colorado, and audiences couldn’t get enough of his quirky “Nanu Nanu” greetings. Mork’s energy made the show feel like something brand new, blending slapstick humor with heartfelt lessons about humanity. It was a role that truly put Williams on the map.
But by the early ’80s, the novelty wore off, and the show’s ratings dropped. The character vanished as quickly as he’d arrived, though reruns and nostalgia kept him alive in our hearts. Williams, of course, became a megastar, but Mork’s time on TV was surprisingly short-lived considering his popularity. Fans still remember him fondly whenever they think back to the strangest, most lovable alien on TV.
2. Heather Thomas as Jody Banks from The Fall Guy
Jody Banks was the stuntwoman with style and charm on The Fall Guy, played by Heather Thomas. She held her own alongside Lee Majors and proved that she could jump cars, throw punches, and still bring a spark of humor to the show. For many young fans in the ’80s, she was a TV crush, as much for her confidence as for her looks.
Yet after the show ended, Jody faded quickly from the television landscape. Heather Thomas stepped back from acting, and without her, the character disappeared too. While The Fall Guy is remembered as an action-packed series, Jody doesn’t come up in conversations about iconic female TV characters. For those who tuned in weekly, though, she was an essential part of the fun.
3. Corky Sherwood from Murphy Brown
Faith Ford’s Corky Sherwood was the beauty queen-turned-journalist who offered comic relief on Murphy Brown. She was bubbly, sweet, and a little naïve, but over time she became a much stronger, more layered character. Fans loved seeing her grow and hold her own next to Murphy, often stealing scenes with her earnestness.
Still, Corky never reached the cultural heights of Murphy herself, and when the show ended, she didn’t really carry over into the cultural conversation. Ford acted steadily after, but Corky didn’t stick around in the pop-culture lexicon. For many viewers, she’s a reminder of how ensemble characters can be essential to a show’s charm, even if they later fade from memory.
4. Balki Bartokomous from Perfect Strangers
Bronson Pinchot made Balki unforgettable with his wide-eyed innocence and hilarious “Don’t be ridiculous!” catchphrase. He was the shepherd-turned-immigrant cousin who brought a whole lot of heart to Perfect Strangers. His antics with cousin Larry gave us one of TV’s most charming odd couples of the era.
Despite Balki’s popularity, the show quietly slipped out of syndication in the years that followed. Younger audiences didn’t discover him the way they did other ’80s icons, and Balki just sort of vanished. Pinchot continued to act, but nothing he did captured the same magic. For fans, though, Balki remains the lovable, earnest dreamer who taught us all how to dance the “Dance of Joy.”
5. Henry Rush from Too Close for Comfort
Ted Knight already had a big TV following from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but his role as Henry Rush in Too Close for Comfort gave him another shot at stardom. As the cartoonist father managing his adult daughters’ antics, Knight delivered dry wit and charm in every scene. It was classic ’80s family sitcom fare with just enough quirk to make it memorable.
But when the show ended, Henry Rush seemed to disappear without much fanfare. Unlike some sitcom dads who lingered in reruns or pop-culture nostalgia, Henry didn’t make that leap. Ted Knight sadly passed away not long after the series ended, which may explain why Henry’s character never had a second life on TV. Fans who watched during the original run still smile when they remember his exasperated humor.
6. Punky Brewster from Punky Brewster
Soleil Moon Frye lit up Saturday nights as Punky, the spunky foster kid who charmed her way into everyone’s hearts. With her mismatched clothes, upbeat attitude, and boundless imagination, she became a cultural symbol of resilience for kids growing up in the ’80s. Punky wasn’t just cute, she was inspiring, proving kids could make a difference.
But after the show ended, Punky quietly slipped away. Frye took on smaller roles, but none matched the cultural footprint of her early years. A short-lived revival decades later brought her back, but it didn’t stick around. For those who grew up with her, Punky remains frozen in time, a cheerful reminder of childhood optimism.
7. Benson DuBois from Benson
Robert Guillaume’s Benson DuBois was sharp, sarcastic, and endlessly likable. First appearing on Soap, Benson became so popular that he got his own spin-off. His wit and common sense often stole the show, and audiences rooted for him to succeed in the governor’s mansion. Guillaume even won an Emmy for the role, cementing Benson as a household name.
Yet despite the acclaim, Benson hasn’t had the same nostalgic revival as other sitcom characters. The series isn’t rerun often, and younger viewers rarely stumble across it. Guillaume continued to shine in other roles, but Benson himself quietly faded from pop culture. Fans who do remember him still admire the character’s intelligence and charm.
8. Valerie Hogan from Valerie/The Hogan Family
Valerie Harper brought real warmth to the role of Valerie Hogan, a mom balancing work and raising her kids in Valerie. She was the glue of the family, and audiences connected with her grounded, relatable character. Harper gave the show credibility, and her character’s humor and strength stood out among other TV moms.
But after Harper’s departure from the show, Valerie Hogan disappeared altogether, replaced by Sandy Duncan’s character. It was one of the stranger TV shakeups of the decade, and it meant Valerie was gone just as quickly as she’d arrived. Fans who loved her often felt the series wasn’t the same without her. Valerie Hogan remains one of those beloved ’80s characters who simply vanished.
9. Jonathan Smith from Highway to Heaven
Michael Landon played Jonathan Smith, an angel sent to help people in need on Highway to Heaven. The show had a gentle, heartfelt tone that resonated deeply with audiences. Jonathan was compassionate, wise, and the kind of character who made you believe in the goodness of people.
But after the series wrapped in 1989, Jonathan faded from memory compared to Landon’s earlier characters on Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie. The show isn’t talked about nearly as much, leaving Jonathan somewhat overlooked today. Still, fans who watched him in the ’80s remember the comfort he brought every week.
10. Skippy Handelman from Family Ties
Marc Price’s Skippy was the ultimate lovable nerd. His unrequited crush on Mallory and goofy personality gave Family Ties some of its funniest moments. Audiences adored his awkwardness because it felt so genuine, and his loyalty to the Keaton family made him endearing.
Yet Skippy didn’t carry beyond the show’s end. While Alex P. Keaton became iconic, Skippy faded into the background of TV history. Price pursued comedy and other projects, but Skippy never got the kind of revival other side characters sometimes do. Fans of the show still remember him as the earnest friend who was always just a little too much.
11. Natalie Green from The Facts of Life
Mindy Cohn made Natalie one of the most relatable characters on The Facts of Life. She was funny, kind, and unafraid to stand out, which made her beloved by audiences. Natalie’s storylines often tackled serious issues while still keeping the humor intact, and she had a down-to-earth charm that stood out.
Still, after the show ended, Natalie quietly slipped into TV history. Unlike Blair or Tootie, she didn’t become a cultural reference point in the years that followed. Cohn herself has continued working, but the character didn’t live on in the same way. For those who watched during the ’80s, though, Natalie was one of the most genuine friends on television.
12. George Jefferson from The Jeffersons (final years)
While George Jefferson first appeared in the ’70s, his character dominated much of the ’80s as well. Sherman Hemsley made George iconic with his sharp wit, bluster, and undeniable charisma. Viewers loved his over-the-top personality and his banter with Louise and Florence.
But once The Jeffersons ended in 1985, George’s presence on TV dwindled. Hemsley reprised the role here and there, but it wasn’t enough to keep him in the mainstream conversation. For fans, George remains one of the best sitcom characters of all time, even if his presence largely disappeared after the ’80s.
13. Howard Cunningham from Happy Days (final years)
Tom Bosley’s Howard Cunningham was the epitome of the all-American dad. While Happy Days started in the ’70s, Howard’s steady, caring presence carried through the ’80s as the show wrapped up. He was dependable, funny, and the kind of TV father figure that audiences loved having in their living rooms.
But after the series ended in 1984, Howard slipped into the background of nostalgia. Unlike Fonzie or Richie, his character didn’t carry forward into pop-culture legend status. Bosley kept acting, but Howard Cunningham didn’t remain as iconic as some of his co-stars. For many, though, he’s still remembered fondly as the dad everyone wished they had.
