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After spending so very many hours watching a TV show, we form strong attachments - and revulsions - to certain characters. Let's rank 'em.

poll

Jerry Seinfeld

List of TV's most memorable characters, of all time, chosen by the Ranker community. What makes a character live on in the public's memory, even years after the original run of their respective TV programs? In some cases, it's the amount of depth that the show's writers, actors and other creators were able to bring to the character over the course of many years. For many of the greatest TV characters of all time, audiences feel like they get to know personalities like Dexter Morgan from &quot;Dexter.&quot; Even after the show leaves the air, they may not want that relationship to end. (Thankfully, they don't have to, as many shows live on for years after their cancellation on DVD and in syndication.) The best TV characters are ones that you feel like you know and that you'd want to be friends with.TV has brought many famous characters to life who have been extremely compelling, even if they are not entirely likeable. Viewers may not wish to know dangerous, shadowy figures like Tony Soprano, Vernon Schillinger, and Omar Little in reality, but following their exploits safely from the comfort of your living room can be appealing. Likewise, people who might be aloof or downright unpleasant in real life - think &quot;Mad Men's&quot; Don Draper or Al Swearengen of &quot;Deadwood&quot; - can prove charming, even admirable, when seen at a distance, with the subtext and intricacy that a top long-running TV show can provide.Who is the greatest TV character ever? This list contains the names of the greatest, most fascinating, and most enduring fictional characters from TV of all time. Be sure to vote for your favorites, and if some of your favorite popular characters aren't represented, go ahead and re-rank the list to contribute to the discussion.

Female Characters

Morticia Addams

Who are the greatest female TV characters of all time?&nbsp;This list includes some of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-tv-characters-of-all-time">greatest television characters in history</a> from dramatic shows, sitcoms, and sci-fi series to&nbsp;procedurals and cartoons!&nbsp;For as long as TV has been a medium to reflect social constructs, programs have featured <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/strong-female-characters/anncasano?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">strong women characters</a> as protagonists, partners, and foils for their male counterparts. In comedy shows, characters like Lucy Ricardo, Mary Richards, and Maude Findlay paved the way for Elaine Benes, Roseanne Conner, and Liz Lemon.Female characters dominate modern genre series, with popular women like Daenerys Targaryen, Dana Scully, Buffy Summers, and Veronica Mars achieving cult-level idolization. You'll recognize these famous names as some of the strongest, funniest, and most relatable in television history.Vote up the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-female-movie-characters/ranker-characters?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">greatest female characters</a> to move them up the list, and add please any that we're missing.

Best TV

Cosmo Kramer

These are the funniest television characters ever created, as determined by the votes and selections of Ranker users. Lots of things make up truly iconic, timelessly funny characters... the actor, the writing, the supporting cast... but in the end, it's just the character that makes you laugh yourself weak.What are the funniest characters on TV? These are the characters that still make you roll on the floor no matter if you are watching new episodes or reruns from 20 years ago. A lot of the funniest TV characters of all time, like Homer Simpson and Stewie Griffin, tend to be cartoons but there are lots of funny characters that are real-life people too. Vote for your funniest picks and add any characters you see missing. If you want to really impact this list's order, make your own ranking and add it!

Kitty Forman

The best fictional nurses in television. List includes television actors who have played nurse roles on TV. Nurses include <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-film-actors-and-actresses-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">actors and actresses</a> from television shows including General Hospital, Doctor Who and Scrubs. Who are some of the most famous nurses in TV history? This is a list of television nurses from modern and classic TV shows. Top TV nurses are found on this list. With nurses ranging from heroes to hunks, these nurses are some of the funniest and memorable TV characters in history. The greatest TV nurses are even more important than the doctors they help. Some television portrayals of nurses have even proved to be groundbreaking for the profession, including the portrayal of male nurses and the realities of the medical industry and working in a hospital. Who's your favorite fictional nurse character? Some are fictitious evil nurses like Brenda Previn (played by Stephanie Venditto) while others are good nurses like Nurse Jackie, and some are just hot TV nurses like Peter Petrelli in Heroes. This list answers the question, &quot;Who are the top TV nurses?&quot; Use this list to find the most popular nurses on television.

Doctors

There's a reason actors don't practice medicine and instead choose to play medical professionals on TV: any respectable hospital would unceremoniously fire many of these fictional doctors.&nbsp;While it's not a crime to be&nbsp;ridiculously&nbsp;good-looking (we're looking at you, Dr. Shepherd), it's a violation for a surgeon to hide a medical condition that results in a hand tremor (hello, Dr. Bell and Dr. Burke). The former may be a simple distraction for a patient, while the latter could&nbsp;cost a patient their life.Some TV doctors are intentionally ridiculous,&nbsp;like Dr. Spaceman from 30 Rock or Dr. Riviera from The Simpsons, but these &quot;good doctors&quot; are trying their hardest to replicate real-life physicians accurately. The worst fictional <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/horrible-therapist-characters-on-television/alexandra-plesa" target="_blank">doctors on TV range from psychiatrists</a>&nbsp;to dentists&nbsp;to neurosurgeons. TV patients put their lives in the hands of these professionals, and the results are sometimes disastrous.What would you do if you found out the surgeon performing your operation&nbsp;had an addiction to painkillers&nbsp;or was only 16 years old? Would you voice concern&nbsp;if your doctor yelled at you for no real reason? It would be&nbsp;wise to <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/movie-tv-characters-who-are-terrible-writers/jacob-shelton" target="_blank">avoid these terrible TV doctors</a>&nbsp;- your negligence may cost&nbsp;your life.

Villains

Dr. Gregory House

A detailed list of the most well-liked and loveable TV anti-heroes. The most likeable TV protagonists are listed in order from most popular to least. These ambivalent but likeable anti-heroes of TV can be changed in order of popularity to fit the viewer’s opinions. Or, you can copy to make your very own list of your most favorite TV anti-heroes. This villain list can then be re-arranged to suit your ideas. &nbsp; These ambivalent villains are a mixture of both good and evil and have managed to tug at the viewer’s heartstrings over the years. Do you remember most of these anti-heroes? This list answers the question, “Who are the most popular and likeable antiheroes of television?” Taking you on a road down memory lane, this list allows you to see which anti-heroes of TV were the worst and which were <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-movie-villains-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">the best villains</a> of TV shows. &nbsp; While some TV protagonists are pure evil, many have a touch of good in them that the viewer can easily see, making the viewer sympathetic towards these quite loveable villains of television series. The viewers can often find themselves wishing only the best results for these sometimes harmless TV villains. This list allows you to choose which television anti-hero you think is the best villain of television.

Carla Espinosa

List of the greatest female TV role models. Here are the rankings for the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-female-movie-characters/ranker-characters?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best female characters</a> for your daughter to look up to. The TV shows with great <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/female-role-models/ericascheidt?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">female role models</a> span the decades, from black-and-white to digital film. They also span the style, from live action multi-camera sitcoms to cartoons. Who are some of the best female role models on TV? You could make a pretty good case for Leslie Knope's passion, Liz Lemon's wit, and Rachel Green's attitude. Or, if people really want to talk about strong independent women, we have listed ladies like Susie Greene from &quot;Curb Your Enthusiasm&quot; and Xena (the Warrior Princess). Some seem to think even Nancy Botwin from &quot;Weeds&quot; is a good female role model on television -- perhaps for her business sense. TV can make a difference in the culture, as shows can set standards and aspirations for young women, or men, with the remote control.

Jess Mariano

List of the greatest bad boys in TV history. Here is a listing of the cream of the crop when it comes to television's best bad boys. The best and the baddest of the bunch make their ensemble that much richer. Perhaps Samuel L. Jackson's character in &quot;Pulp Fiction&quot; would refer to the TV characters ranker here as &quot;BAMFS.&quot; Whatever tough guy categorization you would like to give these characters, they are undoubtedly the coolest -- if not particularly warm -- men to grace our screens every week. And nobody can down whiskey like Don Draper, just like nobody could scare television parents like bad boys next door Ryan Atwood (&quot;The O.C.&quot;) and Shawn Hunter (&quot;Boy Meets World&quot;).This list includes TV bad boy characters with dark brooding attitudes, leather jackets, motorcycles, dour dispositions, sad mysterious pasts, questionable ethics - and hopeful girls who love them anyway. Dylan McKay, Chuck Bass, and even The Fonz are at the top of our ranks. Vote up the quintessential bad boys on television to shape this list, or click rerank to make a version of your own.

Sitcoms

Detective Rosa Diaz

List of the best police TV characters. These sitcom sheriffs, TV deputies, and television police officers have been around since the beginning of the TV box itself. From cartoon cops to black-and-white era television superstars, this page contains the greatest list of cops in sitcoms that you'll find in the whole wide world (wide web). The <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-fictional-cops-ever?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">funny cop names</a> on this list span all eras of TV history, including classic TV cops and cops cartoon characters.Plus, with new shows like <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/full-cast-of-mike-and-molly-cast-list-for-the-show-mike-and-molly/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Mike and Molly</a> and Brooklyn Nine-Nine with Andy Samberg, the best cops on TV sitcoms are yet to come. Who can forget Louis CK's recurring bumbling cop character drooling over Amy Poehler's character on Parks and Rec? The funniest cops on television might have begun on Car 54, Where Are You? but they're not ending anytime soon (at least according to NBC's upcoming lineup). The greatest sitcom cops range from classic appearances - like in Seinfeld's library - to unforgettable famous policeman characters - like the entire cast of Comedy Central's Reno 911! In fact, so many of these police sitcoms end with an exclamation point that they'd better be engrained in our collective memories. Funny <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-ever-police-orientated-tv-shows/george-sterling?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">shows about cops</a> don't have to take place in the police station itself (remember Carl Winslow from Family Matters?) but, as we see with the classic TV sitcom Sledge Hammer! and Police Squad! - well, it ain't a bad idea. Enjoy the rankings of these high-ranking law enforcement officials with the funniest cops on television and be sure to upvote your favorite TV policemen.

Rose Nylund

There’s such a huge different when discussing television characters versus film characters. The main distinction is that we get to know our TV characters much better. Instead of a two-hour movie, we get to see television characters in different situations, often over the course of several seasons and many years. We feel like we know them personally, and in some scenarios they might seem like our dad, sister, or best friend. Nothing affects how a television character comes across to a spectator like the person playing the role. Even the most mundane script or unfunny sitcom can be saved by an actor’s performance. These are the best-acted characters on television of all time. This list includes both the best -cted characters currently on TV and old characters from the small screen's past. Nearly every genre is covered from sitcoms to police procedurals to political dramas. Some of these are cantankerous sorts (we’re looking at you, Dr. House), others have had incredible obstacles to overcome (we knew you could beat cancer, Christina Braverman), and a few of these characters are entertainingly evil (everyone feels guilty rooting for Francis Underwood.)We’ve cried along with these characters and believed their every emotion. These well-acted television characters are what stays with fans when they shut off the television for the night. Of course, dialogue and story are imperative on any successful television program, but without the actor to deliver those lines and sell the narrative, the television screen may as well stay blank.Make your voice heard. Be sure to vote up all the best acted current TV characters and the most expertly acted TV characters from previous eras of television.

Shawn Hunter

List of the greatest characters we watched grow up on TV. This list ranks the best TV characters who grew up before the audience's very eyes week to week, or more aptly, year to year. Going through puberty is not exactly easy. But going through puberty in front of an international audience is something on a whole other level. If one wishes to know what that is like, he or she may ask the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-film-actors-and-actresses-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">actors and actresses</a> behind the TV characters on this list. Some of the best characters who grew up from season to season belong in families like the Tanners in San Francisco, as we watched D.J., Stephanie, and Michelle literally go from children to human beings over the course of &quot;Full House.&quot; Remember when Corey and Topanga were bickering classmates in &quot;<a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/boy-meets-world-trivia/amylindorff?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Boy Meets World</a>?&quot; If so, you also probably remember when they started dating and when they got married.

Glenn Quagmire

The creepiest characters on television mess with our heads, leave us wondering and stick in our heads for a long time after their respective TV shows air. These are the fictional TV characters we love to hate for one reason or another. They might not be the scariest TV characters in a traditional sense but these are the creepiest characters on our <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-best-tv-shows-of-recent-memory" target="_blank">favorite recent TV shows</a>.Creepy television characters come in all types with each taking creepy to a new and different level. Some don't hide their creepiness, such as Herbert, the suspected pedophile from &quot;Family Guy,&quot; or Dexter Morgan, the serial killer/forensic blood splatter analyst from the Showtime series &quot;Dexter.&quot; Fans know what to expect from that type of creepy character but often it's the creepers who leave you guessing that are the creepiest TV characters of all.Take Walter White, the main character in the Emmy Award-winning drama &quot;Breaking Bad.&quot; Mr. White was a seemingly harmless family man and high school teacher who &quot;broke bad&quot; and took on an alter ego capable of unspeakable crimes. The uncertainty of the realm of possibility for the character makes him incredibly fascinating and beyond creepy.The same goes for characters that are highly secretive or not completely explained which opens the doors for all types of creepy. &quot;LOST&quot; fans didn't know what the elusive Smoke Monster was for nearly all six seasons the show aired but it was well established that it was definitely a threat to take seriously.Whether these creepy TV characters put all their cards on the table and embrace their creepy tendencies or leave fans guessing what they will do next, each offer plenty of food for thought on some of our favorite television shows. Everyone is creeped out by something or other so if we missed your favorite creepy TV character, add him, her or it below.

Comedy

Lucy Ricardo

The funniest <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-female-tv-characters-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">female TV characters</a> are those whom we've both laughed at and laughed with, sharing their hilarious moments and sometimes their most touching ones. These funny females are mothers, friends, wives and businesswomen -- comical television character versions of the roles women play in real life. Sometimes easy to relate to, sometimes not, funny female TV characters keep viewers returning to the TV for season after season.While most truly funny women on TV can be found in sitcoms, a few of the best and funniest women in television can be found in dramas. Ally McBeal proved that a leading woman’s role could deal with dramatic situations, yet still allow the female lead to be humorous. A few of the funniest female TV characters have also come from books adapted into television shows, as in the case of Piper Chapman -- who also plays in a drama.Some of the funniest women on TV are known for their antics; a classic example is Lucy Ricardo’s failure to pronounce “Vitameatavegamin” after becoming tipsy off the health tonic of the same name. Some of TV’s funniest women are known for their rants or musings. Remember when Elaine Benes had to decide whether men were ‘spongeworthy?' No matter why viewers find them funny, these quirky, witty female characters continue to stand the test of time and give both men and women hilarious females to enjoy on TV. Whoever your favorite funny women on TV are, chances are they’ve become characters you can watch again and again. And that’s the real test: The funniest female TV characters aren’t just funny once, they’re enjoyable and humorous with repeated viewings. They’re human, they’re engaging and these funny television females give audiences not only a laugh, but a lift -- whether they earned one season, six seasons or more.

The Governor

The best TV villains of all time rank among some of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-tv-characters-of-all-time">greatest TV characters of all time</a> as well as some of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/creepiest-characters-on-television">creepiest TV characters ever</a>. While some TV villains exist to make the lead characters appear more heroic, some of them are just plain old, nasty jerks. Regardless of their motivations, the top TV bad guys make us want to bust into the TV and kick some butt, fictional style.

Many of TV&#39;s greatest greatest villains didn&#39;t start that way; some of these men and women started out as virtuous people who took a skid into the darker ways of the world. Think of Breaking Bad&#39;s Gustavo Fring, a legitimate business man turned meth trafficking d-bag. Or Dexter Morgan who started out killing only bad guys and then went and got tangled up with killing people as a CYA offensive action. Of course, there&#39;s also people like&nbsp;Joffrey Baratheon of Game of Thrones&nbsp;and The Simpsons&#39; C. Montgomery Burns who seem to get off on tormenting people. They are the worst kind of awesome bad guys.

Who is the best <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-you-forgot-played-tv-bad-guys/lina-lecaro" target="_blank">bad guy on TV</a>? What television shows have the greatest TV villains? &nbsp;This best television villains list has all the top TV villains in one place for you to vote on. If your favorite TV villain isn&#39;t on the list of the greatest TV villains, make sure to add them so other voters get to hate them as much as you do.

List of the best TV grumps. Male or female, these are the greatest grumpy TV characters -- television curmudgeons whose pessimistic rants and antics usually make viewers laugh. From the original great TV grumps, including Fred Sanford and Archie Bunker, to the new generation of grumpy TV characters such as <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-red-forman-quotes/movie-and-tv-quotes" target="_blank">Red Forman</a> and Sue Sylvester, they&rsquo;re all here.

&nbsp;Why is it that we love TV&rsquo;s curmudgeons? They&rsquo;re unhappy, they complain, they&rsquo;re pessimistic, and they often try to make everyone around them miserable, too. The best TV grumps remain lovable, however, because they tap into our own grumpy sides; besides, their rantings and predictions of doom and gloom often have no effect on anyone else. The other characters in a TV show know that they&rsquo;re dealing with a grouch, and carry on accordingly. In some cases, of course, the greatest grumps on TV really do make others&rsquo; lives miserable, but the curmudgeonly, grumpy character usually gets what&rsquo;s coming to him or her in the end, which makes it okay.

&nbsp;The best grumps on television are usually funny, as well. Frank Costanza generally looks like he&rsquo;s about to pop a blood vessel, but his ravings are hilarious. And underneath it all, many TV curmudgeons have a softer, warmer side. Who can blame a gentle-hearted person for putting up a mean front to protect their tender emotions? Viewers understand this about the best TV curmudgeons: They might seem mean, but they&rsquo;re often concealing a caring personality -- and if they inspire a few laughs in the process, that&rsquo;s all the better.

&nbsp;This list contains the grumps on TV that viewers have both loved and hated, laughed at or felt sorry for. Both female and male TV curmudgeons are included; after all, women can be just as crabby as men. The list also makes no age distinction -- the best TV grouches are both young and old.

Willow Rosenberg

List of the greatest female geeky TV characters. The best and nerdiest women on television are ranked on this page based on their level of geekdom. These female TV geeks are good at what they do - and they studied damn hard to make it happen. Who are the best and most famous female nerd characters? You know and love them, so why not vote up your favorite famous female geeks?As much as Lindsay Weir on Freaks and Geeks tried to escape her geek label, it is impossible to fully un-nerd yourself. Even Screech found himself a match in Jessie Spano in the realm of Saved by the Bell. And one of the best geek girls on television is the character of Topanga Lawrence, of <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/boy-meets-world-trivia/amylindorff?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Boy Meets World</a> fame. Amy Poehler and Tina Fey have also created television characters with such geeky qualities, it should inspire every young lady in America to follow suit. These women could outsmart their male counterparts any day of the week, even if sometimes they out-awkward them as well.

Geeky

Ross Geller

List of the greatest geeks in TV history. The <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-nerd-characters-movies/jodi-smith" target="_blank">best nerd characters</a> ever to hit the tiny screens are ranked here in order of greatness. Sure some of the characters might have annoyed us, but we never changed that dial once they appeared onscreen. These men and women are absolutely hilarious and absolutely awesome -- oh, and absolutely nerdy. It usually happens on TV when the door knocks and the dad is really disappointed to see who is on the other side. Like the way Carl Winslow looks when it&#39;s revealed to be Steve Urkel on Family Matters. TV nerds of all genders are ranked, ranging from sexy geeks like Liz Lemon to neurotic nerds like Adrian Monk. Who studies dinosaurs better than Ross Geller? Who knows more Pawnee history than Leslie Knope? These geeks made us smarter and sillier, like Lisa Simpson and Willow Rosenberg. While Willow was always the best friend and Dwight Schrute is just one of the employees, people like Larry David and iCarly (yes, both geeks) got shows to their geeky selves.

Distinguishing Features

Cameron Tucker

List of the greatest jovial fat guys in TV history. How many times do you find yourself asking, &quot;Remember that fat guy on that sitcom?&quot; Well thanks to the listing on this page, you will never forget again. We have immortalized the jolliest and chubbiest dudes ever to grace the small screen. From funny fat cartoon characters, to famous fat characters that weren't animated, this list has them all.From cartoon fat guys (like Homer Simpson and Fred Flinstone) to real life fat guys (Drew Carey, George Lopez, and Jim Belushi in their self-titled shows), we have all of the stars covered. In the world of television tropes, few are as overused and yet as appreciated as &quot;the fat best friend.&quot; We need Jerry on Parks and Recreation just as we need Danny DeVito on <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/cast-of-its-always-sunny-from-first-vs-last-season/jessica-lawshe?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">It's Always Sunny</a> In Philadelphia just as we need Jeff Garlin as Larry David's manager BFF on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Why? Because we need a comic relief from all the... comic relief.

Bree Van de Kamp

List of the best dressed <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-female-tv-characters-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">female TV characters</a> currently on TV or from the past. These are the most fashionable women to grace the small screen, whether they’re powerful in Prada or beguiling in boho-chic. Sometimes quirky, other times glam, these best dressed ladies on TV have always done one thing: wowed viewers with their well-put-together styles.&nbsp;One way for fashionable TV women to catch audiences’ attention is with high-end evening wear. From slinky black dresses to shockingly pink frocks, trendsetting TV women are the focus of the party, and they command both the audience’s and the other characters’ attention. Could anyone rip his or her eyes away from Blair (“Gossip Girl”) when she stunned in the gold embroidered, peacock-inspired evening dress designed by Marchesa? The hottest TV women know how to wear designer fashions, and they wear them well.&nbsp;Of course, the best dressed women on TV don’t always dress to the nines. Even in a simple sweater and jeans, however, these fashionable television females are still the height of style. Rachel (“Glee”) is the pinnacle of casual, preppy chic, while Carrie (“Sex and the City”) could work almost any article of clothing into her eccentric, distinctive style. These fashionable TV women are so inspiring that there are websites devoted to helping viewers capture their looks and style.&nbsp;This list contains the most fashionable women on TV, the stylish female TV characters who have dressed to impress episode after episode. Whether their styles are casual, elegant, or unusual, the best dressed TV ladies are right here. Included on the list are characters who are fashionable in period costume, as well.

Roger

List of the best aliens that have ever graced the television screen. Sometimes it starts with something as simple as a shooting star or as catastrophic as a meteor show in a small town. The only clue can be a small light falling from the mysterious stars, leaving a foreign being closely the human race. It can be just a baby in a basket, much like Clark Kent, or a wacky space alien recklessly driving an egg-shaped spaceship in the case of Mork. This list begs the questions, &ldquo;Which is your favorite alien character on television?&rdquo;

The aliens on the list vary greatly. They range from famous heroes who travel in a blue police box, looking for adventure, to annoying roommates who only want to mooch off your food. Many of these <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-tv-shows-about-aliens/ranker-tv" target="_blank">television aliens</a> just want to live their lives as if they were human, while others don&rsquo;t have the luxury of hiding in the plain sight. 

So, do you like the extra-terrestrials with romantic hearts, just looking to settle down with a human? Or do you prefer the space travelers who are exploring the strange ways of the human race? Whether you prefer the good-hearted hero or the vicious space invader, sitcom characters or science fiction staples, television&rsquo;s history - <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/current-tv-shows-about-aliens/ranker-tv" target="_blank">and its current slate of shows</a> - is filled with interesting aliens who have found a home among the people of our planet.&nbsp;

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TV Characters We Love & Hate

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List of the best television <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/comic-book-characters-who-are-doctors/stephanroget" target="_blank">doctors</a>, ranked by fans of the doctor characters and their medical shows. Plenty of memorable TV doctors have graced our small screens over the last 50 years, but some television doctors stand out from the rest. From medical dramas and comedies to soap operas and sci-fi thrillers, every great TV show needs a compassionate, competent and - of course - good looking <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/fictional-doctors-with-best-skills/jonathan-kantor" target="_blank">doctor to save the day</a>.

Ever since &#39;General Hospital&#39; opened its fictional doors more than 50 years ago, there has been a flood of TV shows featuring every type of TV doctor you could imagine. In the beginning, TV doctors were dependable, noble and considerate medical healers in TV shows like &#39;Medic&#39; and &#39;Dr. Kildare&#39;. As television evolved, so too did the doctors. On modern TV, doctors now feature complex personalities and dramatic background stories, such as the drug-addicted, enigmatic and astoundingly intelligent antihero Dr. Gregory House and the entire medical squad in &#39;ER&#39;.

So who are the greatest TV doctors of all time? Whether you prefer dreamy medical heroes like Derek Shephard, Michaela Quinn and James Kildare; the funny antics of Hawkeye Pierce, Perry Cox and Sheldon Cooper; or the drama that comes with Meredith Grey and Christina Yang, you can rest assured that there is an excellent fictional physician on call.

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Best Television Doctors | List of Famous TV Doctor Characters

The Greatest TV Doctors

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Dr. Gregory House, M.D. — typically referred to simply as House — is the title character of the American medical drama House. Portrayed by English actor Hugh Laurie, he leads a team of diagnosticians as the Head of Diagnostic Medicine at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in New Jersey based on Yale-New Haven Hospital.
House's character has been described as a misanthrope, cynic, narcissist, and curmudgeon, the last of which was named one of the top television words of 2005 in honor of the character. He is the only character to appear in all 177 episodes and except for Wilson's brief appearance, is the only regular character to appear in the season six premiere.
In the series, the character's unorthodox diagnostic approaches, radical therapeutic motives, and stalwart rationality have resulted in much conflict between him and his colleagues. House is also often portrayed as lacking sympathy for his patients, a practice that allots him time to solve pathological enigmas. The character is partly inspired by Sherlock Holmes.

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Cristina Yang

Cristina Yang, M.D., Ph.D., is a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, which airs on the American Broadcasting Company in the United States. The character was created by series producer Shonda Rhimes, and is portrayed by actress Sandra Oh. Introduced as a surgical intern at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, Yang worked her way up to resident level, eventually becoming a cardiothoracic surgical fellow, while her relationships with colleagues Meredith Grey, George O'Malley, Izzie Stevens, and Alex Karev formed a focal point of the series. Yang was once engaged to Preston Burke, had a relationship with renowned surgeon Colin Marlow, and wed and later divorced Owen Hunt.
Oh originally auditioned for the role of Miranda Bailey, although Chandra Wilson was ultimately cast in the part. Oh has received generally positive reviews for her portrayal, with Mark Perigard of the Boston Herald considering her friendship with Meredith to be "the secret core of Grey's". Oh has also garnered numerous awards and nominations for her role as Yang, including Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award wins in 2006.

Meredith Grey

Meredith Grey, M.D. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, which airs on the American Broadcasting Company in the United States. The character was created by series' producer Shonda Rhimes, and is portrayed by actress Ellen Pompeo. Meredith is the series' protagonist, and was introduced as a surgical intern at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, eventually obtaining the position of resident, and later attending. As the daughter of world-renowned surgeon Ellis Grey, Meredith struggles with the everyday life of being an attending, maintaining the relationship with her one-night stand and eventual husband Derek Shepherd, her new-found motherhood, and the friendships with her colleagues.
Meredith is the narrator of the show and serves as the focal point for most episodes. Pompeo's connection with Patrick Dempsey is acclaimed as a high point of the series. Rhimes has characterized Meredith as not believing in good or bad, but doing what she thinks is right. Pompeo has been nominated for several awards, winning many of them, for her performance on the show.

Miranda Bailey

Miranda Bailey, M.D. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, which airs on ABC in the United States. The character was created by series producer Shonda Rhimes, and has been portrayed by actress Chandra Wilson since the show's inception in 2005. Introduced as a resident in general surgery at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, Bailey worked her way up to the attending physician level, while her relationship with the five surgical interns she was in charge of - Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens, George O'Malley and Alex Karev - formed a focal point at the beginning of the series.
Her colleagues refer to her as "The Nazi" because of her tough personality and blunt attitude. Although often harsh with her interns, she has been shown to provide both support and advice. She married Tucker Jones in 1995, but their marriage encountered difficulties in 2007, due to her commitments as both a parent to son Tuck and to her career as a surgeon. Miranda Bailey is a Wellesley College graduate.

Mark Sloan

Mark Everett Sloan, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a fictional surgeon from the ABC medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by Eric Dane. Dr. Sloan is an attending specializing in plastic surgery. Dr. Sloan earned the nickname “McSteamy” for his good looks by the female interns of Seattle Grace later Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital. He was good friends with Dr. Derek Shepherd, a fellow physician at Seattle Grace, but was the catalyst for the end of Derek’s marriage when he caught Dr. Sloan sleeping with Addison, his wife. Later, he pursues a 'forbidden' relationship with Dr. Lexie Grey, straining his relationship with Derek yet again. He reveals that he loves Lexie in episodes "Migration", "Flight", "Going, Going, Gone", and "Remember The Time" In the show's ninth season, he dies of injuries sustained in a jet plane crash that also injured or killed several of his colleagues from the hospital.

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Dr. Perry Cox

Perry Cox

Percival Ulysses "Perry" Cox, M.D, is a fictional character played by John C. McGinley on the American television comedy-drama Scrubs. Dr. Cox appeared in every episode except, "My Last Words," "My Comedy Show," and "My Full Moon," which are all in season 8.

Derek Shepherd

Dr. Derek Shepherd

Derek Christopher Shepherd, M.D., also referred to as McDreamy, is a fictional surgeon on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy. The character is portrayed by actor Patrick Dempsey, who was nominated in 2006 and 2007 Golden Globe for the Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series Drama for the role, and the 2006 SAG Award for the Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama Series award. He was married to Addison Montgomery and is now happily married to longtime girlfriend Meredith Grey. Derek was formerly the Chief of Surgery at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital, but abruptly resigned as chief in the seventh season following the shooting.

John "J.D." Dorian

J.D.

Jonathan Michael "J.D." Dorian, M.D. is a fictional character in the American comedy-drama Scrubs, played by Zach Braff. He is the narrator and main character of the series. He provides voice-over to the series which fills the roles of his internal thoughts and an overall narration in the show, often linking the story arcs in each episode thematically. He was born in Trotwood, Ohio.
J.D. appeared in every episode during the first eight seasons except two season 8 episodes, "My Absence," in which he is only heard through a cellphone, and "My Full Moon".
Braff was a regular cast member for the first eight seasons, and appeared in six episodes of season nine to help transition the series into its new format. For his portrayal of the character, Braff was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 2005, and received three consecutive Golden Globe Award nominations in 2004, 2005, and 2006.

Alex Karev

Alexander "Alex" Michael Karev, M.D. is a fictional character on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by actor Justin Chambers. Introduced as a surgical intern at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, Karev eventually obtained the position of resident, later becoming a pediatric surgical fellow. His relationships with colleagues Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens, and George O'Malley formed a focal point of the series.
The character is initially disliked by his fellow interns, and is often accused of being brusque and dismissive with his patients and co-workers. Karev's negative attitude eventually leads to Seattle Grace Hospital's neonatal surgeon, Addison Montgomery, requesting him on her service as punishment for his rudeness to her. He demonstrates profound skill for the specialty which prompts praise from Montgomery and contributes to Karev's interest in pediatric surgery for the rest of the series.
Although Karev and Stevens had an on-off romantic history in previous seasons, it was not until the fifth season that the two formed a lasting relationship. Despite Stevens' advanced skin cancer, the two marry.

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Addison Montgomery

Dr. Addison Montgomery

Addison Adrianne Forbes Montgomery, M.D. is a fictional character on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice played by Kate Walsh. Addison is a world-class neonatal surgeon with board certifications in both Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Maternal and Fetal Medicine. Additionally, she is a medical genetics fellow. She works at the Oceanside Wellness Group, a fictional practice located in Santa Monica, California.

Lexie Grey

Alexandra Caroline "Lexie" Grey, M.D. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, which airs on ABC in the United States. The character was created by series' producer Shonda Rhimes and was portrayed by actress Chyler Leigh from the third through eighth seasons. She was introduced as a surgical intern in season three. Serving as Meredith Grey's half sister, she transferred to the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, after her mother's sudden death. Eventually named a surgical resident, the character was originally contracted to appear for a multi-episode story arc, but received star billing in the fourth season.
The character's focal storyline involved a romantic relationship with plastic surgeon Mark Sloan. She sustained life-threatening injuries after an aviation accident, in the eighth season finale, which ultimately ended in her death. The character's death resulted in mixed critical feedback and the reason given for the departure was Leigh's desire to spend more time with her family. Rhimes has characterized Lexie as being a dork, as well as having issues with saying how she feels.

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Thirteen

Remy "Thirteen" Hadley, M.D., is a fictional character on the Fox medical drama House, portrayed by Olivia Wilde. She is part of the new diagnostic team assembled by Dr. Gregory House after the disbanding of his previous team in the third season finale. The character's nickname derives from the episode "The Right Stuff", when she is assigned the number during a competition for her position at the Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital.
The show depicts Thirteen as a secretive character who does not divulge personal information; her surname was not used on the show until the fourth season's penultimate episode "House's Head", nor her given name until the fifth season episode "Emancipation". Instead, several of the character's traits are implied before they are depicted as true. In the season four episode "You Don't Want to Know", Thirteen tells House that her mother died from Huntington's disease; a test she performs several episodes later confirms she carries the gene. After hints were given regarding her character's sexuality, actress Olivia Wilde confirmed that her character is indeed bisexual. This is confirmed by Foreman in the episode "Don't Ever Change".

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Hawkeye Pierce

Hawkeye Pierce is a fictional character from the TV series M*A*S*H.

Jackson Avery

Jackson Avery, M.D. is a fictional character from ABC prime time medical drama, Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by actor Jesse Williams. The character was created by series creator and executive producer, Shonda Rhimes. He was introduced in season six, episode 5, "Invasion" as a former surgical resident from Mercy West Medical Center when it merges with Seattle Grace Hospital. Williams initially appeared as a recurring cast member, and was later promoted to a series regular in season seven. The character's focal storyline involved his attempt to fit in at his new work environment, and trying to finding his own successes, instead of riding on the coattails of his famous family name. The character has also had significant romances with Lexie Grey and Stephanie Edwards. He is married to April Kepner, the couple is expecting a child. Dr. Avery later becomes a member of the board of directors at the newly established, Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, and is the current chairman.

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Allison Cameron

Allison Cameron, M.D., is a fictional character on the Fox medical drama House, portrayed by American actress Jennifer Morrison. An immunologist, Cameron was a member of Dr. Gregory House's team of handpicked specialists at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital's Department of Diagnostic Medicine. She returned for the final episode of the series, "Everybody Dies".

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Mark Greene

Dr. Mark Greene was a fictional medical doctor from the television series ER, portrayed by the actor Anthony Edwards. For most of his time on the series, Greene's role was that of a mediator and occasional authority figure, and he was considered the main character of the series for the first eight seasons. Mark was also the only original character to die, and his death at the end of Season 8 marked one of the biggest turning points in the series.

James Wilson

Dr. James Evan Wilson, M.D., is a fictional character on the Fox medical drama House. He is played by Robert Sean Leonard. The character first appears in the pilot when he introduces a medical case to Dr. Gregory House. Wilson is Dr. House's only true friend, and frequently provides him with consultations and aid. Wilson is the head of the Department of Oncology at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital.
During the show's run, the characters of House and Wilson have been compared to Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. Wilson's portrayer, Robert Sean Leonard, has stated that his character and Dr. House were originally supposed to play these roles; but Dr. House's diagnostic team has taken over Dr. Watson's part. Leonard also read the script of the pilot episode of CBS' Numb3rs and was planning to audition. He auditioned for House instead because he felt he would more enjoy playing the character that House went to for help and because he liked The Odd Couple dynamic of the relationship.
The character was positively received.

Arizona Robbins

Arizona Robbins, M.D. is a fictional character on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by Jessica Capshaw. She was introduced in the show's fifth season as an attending surgeon and the new chief of pediatric surgery. Originally contracted to appear in three episodes, Capshaw's contract was extended to the remainder of the fifth season, with her becoming a series regular in the sixth season.
Robbins has been characterized as "quirky", and is well known for wearing roller skates and a Holly Hobbie pink scrub cap, designed to appeal to her younger patients. She was established as a love-interest for orthopedic resident Callie Torres after the Torres' storyline with Erica Hahn was cut short due to what series creator Shonda Rhimes called "a lack of chemistry". Shonda Rhimes was in contrast pleased with the chemistry between Robbins and Torres, citing the addition of Capshaw to the cast as an element of the season of which she was most proud. Initial media reaction to the character was positive.

Callie Torres

Calliope Iphegenia "Callie" Torres, M.D. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, which airs on the American Broadcasting Company in the United States. The character was created by series' producer Shonda Rhimes, and is portrayed by Sara Ramirez. She was introduced in season two, as a senior orthopedic resident, as a love interest for intern George O'Malley. Eventually becoming an attending orthopedic surgeon, the character was originally contracted to appear on a recurring basis, but received star billing in the third season.
Torres was initially conceived as a love interest, and eventual wife, for O'Malley, and was created to be disliked by her colleagues. Further storylines include relationships between her and plastic surgeon, Mark Sloan, whom she conceived a child with, cardiothoracic surgeon Erica Hahn, as well as a marriage to pediatric surgeon Arizona Robbins. The character's bisexual storyline with Hahn and Robbins was praised among critics.

Dr. Chris Turk

Christopher Turk

Christopher Duncan "Chris" Turk, M.D. is a fictional character in the American comedy-drama Scrubs, played by Donald Faison. Turk appeared in every episode of the series except three season 8 episodes, "My Saving Grace", "My New Role" and "My Lawyer's in Love". Faison is the only original cast member, besides John C. McGinley, that returns for season 9 as a regular cast member.

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Robert Chase

Robert Chase, M.D. is a fictional character on the Fox medical drama House. He is portrayed by Jesse Spencer. His character was a part of the team of diagnosticians who worked under Gregory House until the end of the third season when House fires him. However, he resumed work at the hospital as a surgeon, and was re-hired by House in season 6. Robert Chase is the longest-serving member of House's staff. Chase has been attracted to Allison Cameron since the beginning of the show and embarks on a romantic relationship with her in "Human Error." In "Post Mortem," he left the Diagnostic Team after realizing he is in the same position as he was 10 years ago, unlike all of the other former members of the team. However in the series finale, he rejoins the hospital as the new Head of Diagnostic Medicine, replacing House, who is thought to have died.

Lisa Cuddy

Dr. Lisa Cuddy, M.D., is a fictional character on the Fox network medical drama House. She is portrayed by Lisa Edelstein. Cuddy was the Dean of Medicine of the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in New Jersey. Cuddy quit her job after the events of season seven's finale "Moving On".

B. J. Hunnicutt

B. J. Hunnicutt is a fictional character from the TV series M*A*S*H.

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April Kepner

April Kepner M.D., is a fictional character from the television medical drama Grey's Anatomy which airs on the American Broadcasting Company in the United States. The character was created by series producer Shonda Rhimes and is portrayed by actress Sarah Drew. She was introduced in the episode "Invasion" as a former surgical resident at Mercy West Hospital who joins the staff at Seattle Grace Mercy West after the two hospitals merge to compensate for the absence of some of the central cast members, and was created to be disliked by her colleagues. The character was originally set to appear in two episodes, Drew's contract was extended to the remainder of the sixth season, with her becoming a series regular in the seventh season. The character's focal storyline involved her struggle with fitting into the new work environment, her religious beliefs and balancing her duties as the hospital's chief resident and her friendship with her colleagues and as of the end of season eight, her relationship with her best friend and now husband Jackson Avery.
Although initially focusing on neurosurgery during her residency, Kepner finally settles on trauma surgery as a specialty.

List of the best television doctors, ranked by fans of the doctor characters and their medical shows. Plenty of memorable TV doctors have graced our small ...