1. Arnold Ziffel from Green Acres
Arnold wasn’t just a pig, he was practically another resident of Hooterville. He went to school, watched television, and was often treated like a child by the townsfolk. The funniest part was how everyone took his unusual talents completely seriously. He was more of a personality than some of the human characters on the show.
Even with all that screen time, Arnold slowly slipped away from pop culture as the years went by. Today he’s rarely mentioned, even though at the time he was one of TV’s most famous animals. He perfectly captured the zany sense of humor that defined Green Acres. For a while, he proved that a pig could be a bona fide sitcom star.
2. Mr. Haney from Green Acres
Mr. Haney was the smooth-talking salesman who always had something to sell Oliver Douglas, usually broken-down junk. He was the type of neighbor who could charm you into buying something you didn’t need. His fast-talking style made him a hilarious thorn in Oliver’s side. Audiences knew he was trouble, but they loved watching him work his scams.
He eventually became one of the most recognizable supporting characters of the show. Still, over time, he was overshadowed by the more outrageous stars like Arnold or Lisa Douglas. Haney doesn’t get much credit these days, but he was TV’s original small-town con man. He brought a sly wink to every scene he entered.
3. Maynard G. Krebs from The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
Maynard was the ultimate beatnik, played by a young Bob Denver before he became Gilligan. He was always carrying his bongos, wearing his goatee, and avoiding anything that looked like work. His catchphrase, a horrified “Work?!”, became his signature. He made Dobie’s world a lot more interesting.
Maynard stood as one of TV’s earliest countercultural characters. He gave audiences a taste of youth rebellion before the hippie wave of the late ’60s. While Denver’s role as Gilligan erased some memory of Maynard, he really was groundbreaking. He showed that the quirky best friend could sometimes be more interesting than the lead.
4. Mrs. Drysdale from The Beverly Hillbillies
Mrs. Drysdale was the wealthy neighbor who could never handle living next to the Clampetts. She was high-strung, dramatic, and completely obsessed with appearances. Every time she had to interact with the Clampetts, she looked like she might faint. Her exaggerated reactions were comedy gold.
She balanced the Clampetts’ earthy humor with a dose of snobbery. Unfortunately, she doesn’t get remembered as much as Granny or Jethro. Still, she gave the show its best “us versus them” laughs. Mrs. Drysdale perfectly embodied Beverly Hills society’s disdain for outsiders.
5. Goober Pyle from The Andy Griffith Show
Goober, cousin of Gomer, became Mayberry’s new gas station mechanic when Jim Nabors left for his own show. He was cheerful, goofy, and endlessly good-natured. Fans especially loved his silly impressions, even if they weren’t very accurate. He kept Mayberry lighthearted after Gomer’s exit.
Goober never reached the same level of fame as his cousin. Over time, he became more of a background figure in the town. Still, his presence gave the series continuity and warmth. He was exactly the kind of friend you’d expect to find in a small Southern town.
6. Sally Rogers from The Dick Van Dyke Show
Sally was the wisecracking comedy writer on Rob Petrie’s writing staff. Played by Rose Marie, she was confident, fast-talking, and never afraid to spar with her male co-workers. Her humor was quick, and her timing was sharp. She was proof that women could thrive in the world of comedy.
While Laura Petrie often gets more attention, Sally’s character was just as groundbreaking. She showed viewers a woman with a career in a male-dominated space. Even her running gag about struggling to find love gave her depth. Sally deserves more credit as one of TV’s earliest female comedy professionals.
7. Eddie Haskell from Leave It to Beaver
Eddie was the smooth-talking teenager who charmed parents while scheming behind their backs. He was syrupy sweet to Mrs. Cleaver but never missed a chance to stir up trouble with Wally and Beaver. That contrast between fake politeness and mischief made him unforgettable. Every family recognized a kid like Eddie.
Despite not being the star, Eddie became one of the most talked-about characters on the show. His behavior felt real, unlike the squeaky-clean world around him. He made the show sharper and more relatable. Eddie is proof that sometimes the supporting cast makes the biggest impression.
8. Rollo Lawson from Julia
Rollo was Corey’s friend on Julia, and he stood out with his mischievous streak. He was always ready to make a smart remark or stir up trouble. His charm kept him from ever being truly unlikable. He gave the show’s younger cast a boost of energy.
Unlike other kid characters, Rollo didn’t fade into the background. Still, once Julia ended, he wasn’t talked about much. He was a snapshot of childhood in the late ’60s. Rollo remains a forgotten gem of early diverse television.
9. Captain Nice from Captain Nice
This short-lived superhero parody featured a bumbling, mild-mannered police chemist who accidentally became a hero. Captain Nice was clumsy, awkward, and often more of a danger than a savior. His ill-fitting costume added to the absurdity. It was camp comedy in the same vein as Batman.
The series never lasted long, so Captain Nice faded quickly. Still, he was part of the superhero craze of the ’60s. He poked fun at the genre before it dominated pop culture. Today, he’s barely remembered, but he deserves credit as an early parody hero.
10. Phyllis Carmichael from That Girl
Phyllis was Ann Marie’s nosy neighbor and constant distraction. She was always inserting herself into Ann’s life with a mix of curiosity and pushiness. Her antics gave Ann plenty of headaches. Yet she added flavor to the show’s New York setting.
Unlike Ann’s boyfriend Donald, Phyllis didn’t get as much spotlight. Still, she helped show the struggles of living independently with neighbors who wouldn’t mind their business. She was a reminder that quirky neighbors can make or break sitcom stories. Sadly, she’s often forgotten when people remember That Girl.
11. Cousin Itt from The Addams Family
Cousin Itt was the tiny ball of hair with the high-pitched voice. He didn’t need much more than his odd appearance to get laughs. His strange look made him instantly memorable. He was the definition of quirky.
Despite his oddity, Cousin Itt was treated with respect by the Addams clan. He was proof of the family’s acceptance of all things strange. He faded a bit in memory compared to Gomez or Morticia. But Cousin Itt was one of the most unique creations of ’60s TV.
12. Sergeant Schultz from Hogan’s Heroes
Schultz was the lovable guard who always looked the other way. His famous line, “I know nothing!” became his trademark. He was harmless, bumbling, and often sympathetic toward Hogan’s men. Viewers couldn’t help but like him.
He was one of the quirkiest characters in a show filled with eccentric types. His cowardice and humor made him stand out. Today, people remember Colonel Klink more often, but Schultz deserves recognition too. He was comic relief in a series set in grim circumstances.
13. Mrs. Kravitz from Bewitched
Gladys Kravitz was the nosy neighbor who constantly suspected something was up with Samantha. She was always spying, peeking through curtains, and gasping at magical happenings. Her frantic reports were usually dismissed by her husband. She never got the validation she craved.
Her over-the-top paranoia became a staple of the series. She gave Samantha and Darrin plenty of extra headaches. Sadly, she doesn’t get remembered alongside the witches and warlocks. But Gladys Kravitz was one of TV’s all-time great busybodies.
14. Fred Rutherford from Leave It to Beaver
Fred was Ward Cleaver’s co-worker and friend. He was pompous, a little clueless, and often bragged about his son Clarence. His exaggerated mannerisms made him a running joke. He was a perfect example of office camaraderie in the ’60s.
Though he was a secondary character, he added texture to Ward’s world. He highlighted the workplace angle of the show. Over time, his role shrank in people’s memories. Still, Fred Rutherford deserves a nod as one of TV’s forgotten quirks.
15. Uncle Martin from My Favorite Martian
Uncle Martin was the Martian who crash-landed on Earth and posed as Tim’s uncle. He had telepathic powers, retractable antennae, and plenty of oddball habits. His calm, intellectual style contrasted with his strange origins. He was endearing and eccentric at the same time.
The show was short-lived compared to other hits, which made Uncle Martin fade over time. Still, he was one of TV’s first truly quirky aliens. He paved the way for later extraterrestrial characters in sitcoms. Uncle Martin was the original “strange relative” trope with a cosmic twist.
16. Parker from The Patty Duke Show
Parker was Patty’s goofy classmate, always tagging along and offering comic relief. He wasn’t particularly bright, but he was enthusiastic. His slapstick humor lightened the show’s teenage storylines. He gave viewers plenty of laughs.
Despite his charm, Parker wasn’t the star and easily slipped into obscurity. Patty and Cathy took the spotlight, leaving him forgotten. Still, he was part of the charm that made the show relatable. Parker was a reminder that school comedies thrived on quirky classmates.
17. Corporal Agarn from F Troop
Agarn was the bumbling sidekick to Sergeant O’Rourke at Fort Courage. Played by Larry Storch, he was jumpy, excitable, and always nervous. His overreactions made for some of the funniest moments in the show. He was the perfect comic foil.
Though F Troop didn’t last long, Agarn made a big impression. Still, he isn’t widely remembered today. He was the kind of lovable idiot who could make any scene better. Agarn was pure slapstick gold in a forgotten comedy western.
