OT: Best Sitcom Character Actors of All Time

[jibsey]

OK , these are not the stars but character actor seconds or near firsts, IMO you have Louie Depalma- Danny DeVito, Jason Alexander’s George, Michael Richard as Kramer, John Ratzenberger’s Cliff Claven, and fighting it out for first place is Barney Fife as Don Knotts and in the lead is Ed Norton by Art Carney. I realize there are later sitcoms like The Office, Modern Family and others that have good characters.

 

[Robertelamin]

Al Bundy

 

[Travelman6]

What is the definition of a sitcom? Does Fawlty towers count? Because if it does, John Cleese without a doubt.

Raymond from everybody loves Raymond and George/Richards from Seinfeld. Uncle Phil/will from fresh Prince, the dad from Malcom in the middle if that show can be considered a sitcom. Outside of those shows I don't like sitcoms but regardless they stand out just as amazing actors in general.

 

[Jaker]

Archie Bunker

 

[superjohn]

What is the definition of a sitcom? Does Fawlty towers count? Because if it does, John Cleese without a doubt.

Raymond from everybody loves Raymond and George/Richards from Seinfeld. Outside of those three shows not a huge fan of sitcoms but regardless they stand out just as amazing actors in general.

I think he's going for the secondary characters on a sitcom, it was Raymond's show.

Ted Baxter and Dwight Schrute come to mind right way, Cliff Clavin is also an all-time great.

 

[Waquoit]

Eddie Haskell
Mr. Haney

 

[Madmannsucks]

Barney Fife?

 

[jibsey]

Barney Fife?

Absolutely. Early and mid 60’s, doesn’t get better than Don Knotts, but I would urge anyone who hasn’t seen the original Honeymooners to check it out on YouTube. Gleason and Carney can not be topped and these are funnier than almost everything today. I yearn for a Racoons bowling jacket.

 

[arch]

Niles
Marie barone
Susanne Pleshette

 

[UconnU]

George Costanza. By a wide margin.

 

[Zanzman]

Costanza

 

[UofCT]

Cosmo Kramer

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Rafi on the League

 

[gampelcrazies]

Michael Scott

 

[CL82]

Bill Dailey

Both Jeanie and Newhart. The guy was hysterical with limited screen time.

 

[Mister P]

I was/am a big MASH fan. One of the funniest shows ever.

Major Burns....Larry Linville
Col. Blake...McClean Stevenson

They both played their part perfectly.

 

[Zanzman]

I was/am a big MASH fan. One of the funniest shows ever.

Major Burns....Larry Linville
Col. Blake...McClean Stevenson

They both played their part perfectly.

Old ferret face

 

[Urjetsfan]

George Costanza - Can't stands ya

 

[Horatio]

Al Bundy

Greatness and he played highschool football

 

[UCfor3]

Great choices so far. Here are some of my underrated favorites....Evan Handler as Charlie Runkle in Californication. He's pure gold in that role. Also, Wings was an underrated show with great supporting performances from Tony Shaloub as Antonio, Thomas Hayden-Church as Lowell, and David Schramm as Roy Biggins. On the subject of of Don Knotts, he was awesome as Ralph Furley in Threes Company also.

 

[Zanzman]

Greatness and he played highschool football

Scored 5 tds in one game

 

[Horatio]

Abe Vigoda probably had one of best runs (career) from Barney Miller to The Godfather. Also a lot of things in between and after. I always identified him as Fish, even in The Godfather movies

 

[Horatio]

Scored 5 tds in one game

At Polk High

 

[storrsroars]

Good list. Can't top the OP's entries, but I do have a soft spot for Artie (Rip Torn) from the Larry Sanders Show.

 

[huskyrob1]

Al Lewis as Grandpa Munster, Officer Schnauser in Car 54, the judge in "Used Cars".

 

[huskyrob1]

I’m paraphrasing:
Ralph: I’m Important, The Grand Exalted Mystic Ruler (Loyal Order of Racoons President) called me on the phone, I bet he doesn’t call you on the phone Norton
Norton: He doesn’t have to
Ralph: why not?
Norton: because he works right next to me in the sewer

If Ed Norton isn't #1, .........

The Surprise Party for Ralph.....

 

[jibsey]

Larry Sanders Show- Jeffrey Tambor
Hank

 

[Mister P]

Though it was considered a variety show The Carol Burnett Show was always funny. A great cast with Carol , Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence and many great guests.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

George Costanza. By a wide margin.

Hi, my name is George. I'm unemployed, and I live with my parents.

 

[Walker11]

Many of the best have been mentioned. I will throw out Jonah on Veep for some new blood.