1. Skippy Handleman (Family Ties)
Every family sitcom had that one neighbor who just wouldn’t go away, and for Family Ties, it was Skippy. Played by Marc Price, he was the overly eager friend who had an unshakable crush on Mallory Keaton. His awkwardness made him both lovable and cringeworthy, and audiences couldn’t help but root for him even when the Keatons rolled their eyes. Skippy represented every kid who didn’t quite fit in but still kept showing up.
Despite being a staple in the early seasons, Skippy faded from the spotlight as the show shifted toward Alex P. Keaton’s storylines. Price moved into stand-up comedy after the series, but his sitcom fame never translated into another major TV role. For fans, though, Skippy remains frozen in time, forever the goofy neighbor chasing after Mallory with hopeless devotion.
2. Boner Stabone (Growing Pains)
Yes, that was really his name, and yes, it was somehow allowed on prime-time television. Boner, played by Andrew Koenig, was Mike Seaver’s best buddy and the go-to source of comic relief. With his wild antics and lovable personality, he became a breakout supporting character in the show’s heyday. He was the classic sidekick you could always count on for a laugh.
But when Boner left to join the Marines on the show, he pretty much disappeared from TV history. Koenig went on to have a few smaller roles but never matched the visibility of Growing Pains. Fans still remember Boner fondly, mostly because you couldn’t forget a name like that even if you tried.
3. Corky Sherwood (Murphy Brown)
Faith Ford’s Corky Sherwood was the sweet, slightly ditzy former beauty queen who joined the hard-hitting news team. At first, she was portrayed as out of her depth among the seasoned journalists, but Corky quickly grew into her role. Audiences loved watching her evolve from comic relief to a surprisingly capable co-anchor. Her charm balanced the sharp wit of Murphy Brown herself.
While Murphy Brown ran for years, Corky’s presence in pop culture didn’t last as long. Ford went on to star in other projects, but Corky never carried the same weight outside the newsroom. Still, her mix of innocence and determination made her one of those unforgettable side characters who defined the ensemble.
4. Sam McKinney (Diff’rent Strokes)
Toward the end of Diff’rent Strokes, the writers introduced Sam, played by Danny Cooksey. The freckle-faced redhead with a Southern drawl was added after Arnold and Willis started aging out of the “cute kid” role. Sam’s big personality and mischievous streak gave the show a new dynamic, and he quickly became a fan favorite.
But the addition of Sam also signaled the show’s decline. When Diff’rent Strokes ended, Cooksey moved into voice acting and later fronted rock bands, but Sam himself disappeared from the sitcom spotlight. For fans, he’s remembered as the last attempt to keep the show’s charm alive.
5. Natalie Green (The Facts of Life)
Mindy Cohn brought warmth and humor to Natalie Green, the down-to-earth student who always had a clever one-liner. While the other girls wrestled with drama, Natalie often stole scenes with her wit and relatability. She was the friend you wished you had in high school—funny, supportive, and never afraid to be herself.
After The Facts of Life ended, Cohn stepped away from acting for a while, and Natalie didn’t have the same long-lasting cultural imprint as Tootie or Blair. Still, her honesty and humor made her iconic in the ’80s sitcom landscape. She proved that not every TV teen had to fit the glossy, perfect mold.
6. Gooch (Diff’rent Strokes)
Even if you never actually saw him, Arnold’s nemesis “The Gooch” was legendary. Constantly referenced as the bully who tormented Arnold, The Gooch became one of the great unseen sitcom characters. The mystery around him only made him more memorable, and fans still quote his name when recalling the series.
Eventually, he did make a brief appearance, but the impact was never quite the same as the legend. Once Diff’rent Strokes ended, The Gooch vanished from the cultural conversation. Still, in terms of iconic bullies, he ranks high—even if he mostly existed in our imaginations.
7. Willie Tanner (ALF)
Every alien needed a human straight man, and for ALF, it was Willie Tanner. Max Wright played the perpetually stressed-out dad trying to keep his family together while hiding a sarcastic alien in the house. His exasperation became part of the show’s humor, as Willie was constantly torn between responsibility and chaos.
When ALF ended, Willie disappeared right along with him. Wright had a few other roles, but the sitcom association stuck hard. Fans of the show still remember Willie as the long-suffering father who somehow managed to keep ALF under wraps—at least most of the time.
8. Howard Borden (Three’s Company)
Howard was the bumbling neighbor who frequently wandered into Jack, Janet, and Chrissy’s apartment. Played by Don Knotts’ replacement Norman Fell, Howard was a divorced pilot with a lovable cluelessness. He provided comic relief that helped round out the cast, even if he wasn’t as flashy as the roommates.
But once the show ended, Howard didn’t carry over into spinoffs or reunions. He’s one of those characters people instantly recognize when they see reruns but rarely think about afterward. For many, he’s a reminder of just how many quirky neighbors populated ’80s sitcoms.
9. Dinah Wilson (Gimme a Break!)
Dinah, played by Lara Jill Miller, was one of the Kanisky daughters on Gimme a Break!. She was bright, funny, and often the voice of reason among her sisters. Her character’s relationship with Nell Carter added warmth and humor to the family dynamic. Dinah gave the show an extra layer of relatability for viewers with siblings.
When the show wrapped, Dinah’s character didn’t leave much of a footprint in pop culture. Miller went on to have a successful career in voice acting, but Dinah remained firmly in the past. Fans who watched in the ’80s, however, still remember her as part of the show’s heart.
10. Benny (Kate & Allie)
Benny was the lovable kid next door who frequently hung out with Kate and Allie’s children. Played by Frederick Koehler, he was sweet, nerdy, and always eager to be included in the fun. He often found himself caught up in the kids’ schemes and became a familiar face on the series.
After the show ended, Benny faded into the background of TV history. Koehler continued acting but mostly in smaller roles, so the character never reached the iconic levels of other sitcom kids. Still, Benny captured the essence of the boy-next-door archetype that so many ’80s sitcoms loved.
11. Carol Foster (Step by Step)
Before the blended family sitcom trend really took off, Step by Step gave us Carol Foster, played by Suzanne Somers. As the strong-willed, nurturing mother of three, Carol balanced Frank Lambert’s chaos with patience and humor. She was stylish, caring, and always ready with a witty comeback when the kids got out of hand. Carol became a symbol of the modern mom in ’90s reruns but first made her mark in the ’80s sitcom era crossover.
Yet, despite Somers’ star power, Carol didn’t live on in the same way as her Three’s Company character, Chrissy. Once Step by Step ended, Carol wasn’t the first character fans recalled when talking about classic TV moms. Still, she was essential to the show’s heart, even if she quietly slipped from the spotlight.
12. Rhonda (Perfect Strangers)
Rhonda, played by Belita Moreno, was the quirky actress who lived across the hall from Larry and Balki. She was outspoken, a little dramatic, and always ready to make an entrance. Her flirtatious relationship with Balki gave the show extra humor and heart. Rhonda’s offbeat personality often stole scenes whenever she popped up.
But once Perfect Strangers ended, Rhonda seemed to vanish along with it. Moreno went on to have a long career in television, but the character herself stayed tucked away in sitcom memory. For fans who loved Balki’s wide-eyed innocence, Rhonda remains one of the fun side characters who made the show extra fun.
13. Buddy Lembeck (Charles in Charge)
Who could forget Buddy Lembeck, played by Willie Aames? He was Charles’ goofy best friend, always managing to get himself into trouble. His antics often drove the show’s lighter moments, balancing out Charles’ responsible nature. Buddy was the epitome of the silly sidekick.
But when Charles in Charge ended, Buddy’s popularity ended with it. Aames continued acting and even hosted a Christian-themed workout video series, but Buddy himself vanished from sitcom lore. Still, for fans of the show, his goofy presence remains part of the nostalgia.
14. Heather Owens (Mr. Belvedere)
Brice Beckham’s Wesley may have stolen the spotlight, but Heather Owens, played by Tracy Wells, was also central to Mr. Belvedere. As the teenage daughter, she represented the quintessential ’80s sitcom teen: fashionable, slightly dramatic, and always navigating crushes and school life. She gave the show its teen-girl perspective.
After Mr. Belvedere ended, Heather didn’t stick around in the cultural spotlight. Wells stepped away from acting, and Heather became one of those characters you remember fondly when catching a rerun but don’t often hear discussed. She’s part of what gave the show its family charm.
15. Richard (Silver Spoons)
Richard, played by Joel Higgins, was Ricky Stratton’s fun-loving dad who suddenly found himself raising a son he never knew existed. His role as the wealthy, slightly immature father was key to the show’s charm. Audiences loved watching Richard grow from carefree playboy to responsible parent.
But despite being central to the show, Richard didn’t carry over into long-term sitcom fame. Higgins moved on to other projects, but Richard disappeared from TV conversations. Fans of Silver Spoons still remember him as the dad who tried his best, even if he wasn’t always perfect.
16. Lenny (Laverne & Shirley)
Technically, Laverne & Shirley started in the late ’70s, but Lenny—played by Michael McKean—was still an ’80s presence. Lenny, along with Squiggy, became one of the most memorable comic duos on television. Their quirky entrances and goofy antics made them unforgettable. Lenny’s offbeat humor gave the show its extra spark.
But once the series ended, Lenny largely disappeared from the cultural spotlight. McKean had a successful career afterward, but the character himself stayed locked in that era. For those who grew up with the show, Lenny remains an icon of silly sitcom sidekicks.
