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Sam Axe

Commander Samuel "Sam" Axe, USN is a fictional character in the television series Burn Notice and TV movie Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe, played by Bruce Campbell. He is the best friend of Michael Westen, the main character in Burn Notice.

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

TV Characters We Love & Hate

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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.

Jerry Seinfeld

The Greatest TV Characters of All Time

Fictional Character

Favorite TV Characters | List of Television's Greatest Characters

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Entertainment

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.

Dr. Gregory House

The Most Beloved Grumps in TV History

Best TV Grumps | List of Curmudgeon Characters

Ranker TV

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When a television show first starts, the writers of the program already have the star in mind. They write for the characters they think the audience will relate to and like the most and design the show around those characters. However, once the show hits the airwaves, the viewers don&rsquo;t always agree. Sometimes the true star of the show is the unlikeliest candidate. The breakout character is usually a character who was introduced as part of the supporting cast, but for one reason or another became a fan favorite. This list of the greatest breakout characters in TV history includes characters from both comedies and dramas and has been ranked by the community.

The breakout character on a TV show usually becomes the most discussed and most loved part of the show. He or she has the funniest lines, the best stories, and is portrayed by the favorite actor. After a positive audience reaction, these breakout characters suddenly start to get more screen time and story lines. Characters like <a href="https://groovyhistory.com/aaay-fonzie-happy-days-stories" target="_blank">Fonzie</a> and Ben Linus were never meant to be huge parts of their shows, but after their introduction, it was inevitable that they&rsquo;d become pivotal to the show&rsquo;s success. Some breakout characters, like Frasier Crane, even go on to star in their own series.

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Who are the greatest breakout characters on TV? Vote up the best breakout television characters below or add the best breakout star if he or she isn&#39;t already on the list.

Fonzie

The Greatest Breakout Characters in TV History

Greatest Breakout Characters in TV History | List of Breakout TV Characters

Fictional Characters

List of notable fictional characters <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/fictional-characters-named-alex/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">whose name is</a> Sam, including photos when available. The fictional characters named Samuel below come from every kind of genre and medium, as this list includes movie characters named Sam, TV characters named Samuel, and book characters named Sam. You might even find some notable <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-most-badass-video-game-heroes-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">video game characters</a> whose name is Sam below as well. Whether you're looking for comedy characters named Samuel or drama characters named Sam, this list will have what you're looking for. Who are the most well known fictional Sams? Some of the more memorable names below include Sam Malone from Cheers, Sam Winchester from Supernatural The Animation, and Samuel &quot;Screech&quot; Powers from <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/saved-by-the-bell-behind-the-scenes/anncasano?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Saved by the Bell</a>: The College Years. This list is ranked by the votes of users like you, so vote for your favorite characters below if you want to see them higher on the list. If we left your top character named Sam off the list, feel free to add them.

Samuel Gerard

Fictional Characters Named Sam

Characters Named Sam | Fictional Characters Whose Name Is Samuel

Reference

List of notable fictional characters <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/fictional-characters-named-alex/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">whose name is</a> Sam or Samantha, including photos when available. The fictional characters named Samantha below come from every kind of genre and medium, as this list includes movie characters named Samantha, TV characters named Sam, and book characters named Samantha. You might even find some notable <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-most-badass-video-game-heroes-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">video game characters</a> whose name is Samantha below as well. Whether you're looking for comedy characters named Samantha or drama characters named Samantha, this list will have what you're looking for.Who are the most well known fictional Sams? Some of the more memorable names below include Sam Malone from Cheers, Samantha Baker from Sixteen Candles, and Samantha Jones from Sex and the City. This list is ranked by the votes of users like you, so vote for your favorite characters below if you want to see them higher on the list. If we left your top character named Samantha off the list, feel free to add them.

Sam Malone

Fictional Characters Named Sam or Samantha

Characters Named Sam | Fictional Characters Whose Name Is Samantha

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Sam Axe

Sam Axe is listed on