In movies and TV shows, sometimes it’s the supporting characters who steal the show. These are the characters who might not be the main focus, but they bring a lot of charm, humor, and depth to the story.
From quirky friends to unforgettable villains, these supporting characters who managed to shine bright and catch our attention.
1. Joker in The Dark Knight
The Joker, played by Heath Ledger, is a chaotic villain who loves causing trouble. His unpredictability and dark humor make him unforgettable.
His ability to challenge Batman and stir up chaos makes him one of the most compelling characters in the film.
2. Nigel in The Devil Wears Prada
Nigel, played by Stanley Tucci, is a fashion expert who works with the film’s main character. He’s witty, stylish, and surprisingly supportive.
His clever advice and sarcastic remarks steal scenes and add depth to the fashion world portrayed in the movie.
3. Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds
Hans Landa, played by Christoph Waltz, is a cunning and ruthless Nazi officer. His intelligence and chilling demeanor make him a standout villain.
His interactions with other characters and his knack for manipulation make him a memorable part of the film.
4. Mona Lisa Vito in My Cousin Vinny
Mona Lisa Vito, played by Marisa Tomei, is a smart and sassy mechanic. Her expertise in cars and her sharp wit help win the case in the film. Her humor and confidence bring a lot of energy to the movie, making her a fan favorite.
5. Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean
Captain Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp, is an eccentric pirate with a flair for adventure. His quirky behavior, clever tricks, and humorous dialogue make him the most memorable character in the series.
His charm and unpredictability make every scene he’s in entertaining.
6. Diane Lockhart in The Good Wife
Diane Lockhart, played by Christine Baranski, is a skilled lawyer with a strong personality. She’s confident, smart, and has her own sense of style.
Her professional skills and strong moral compass make her a key character in the show, often stealing the spotlight with her presence and performance.
7. Jake’s Mother in I’m Thinking of Ending Things
Jake’s Mother, played by Toni Collette, is a strange and unsettling character. She appears in a mysterious and eerie way that adds to the film’s overall sense of confusion.
Her strange behavior and unsettling presence make her a standout part of the story.
8. Miles in The Holiday
Miles, played by Jack Black, is a lovable and quirky music composer. His kindness and sense of humor help the main characters in their romantic journeys.
His down-to-earth charm and supportive nature make him a memorable and endearing character.
9. Dwight Schrute in The Office
Dwight Schrute, played by Rainn Wilson, is an eccentric and ambitious salesman.
His unusual behavior, strict rules, and hilarious antics make him one of the most memorable characters on the show. His oddball personality often steals the scene.
10. Rafi in The League
Rafi, played by Jason Mantzoukas, is a wild and unpredictable friend. His outrageous behavior and funny lines make him a standout character.
His unpredictable actions and over-the-top personality bring a lot of humor to the show.
11. J.D. in Thelma & Louise
J.D., played by Brad Pitt, is a charming and carefree drifter. His good looks and easygoing attitude make him an appealing character. His brief but significant role adds a layer of excitement and romance to the film.
12. Stephen Warren in Django Unchained
Stephen Warren, played by Samuel L. Jackson, is a manipulative and cunning house slave. His ability to influence and control situations in the film makes him a powerful and memorable character.
His sharp mind and dark demeanor make him stand out.
13. Dean Craig Pelton in Community
Dean Craig Pelton, played by Jim Rash, is the quirky and often over-the-top dean of the community college. He’s known for his colorful outfits and oddball behavior.
His attempts to be cool and fit in with students, along with his strange antics, make him a funny and memorable part of the show.
14. Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder
Les Grossman, played by Tom Cruise, is a foul-mouthed and eccentric Hollywood producer. His outrageous personality, aggressive style, and hilarious one-liners make him a standout character in the movie.
His wild behavior and funny outbursts add a lot of humor to the film.
15. Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother
Barney Stinson, played by Neil Patrick Harris, is a confident and over-the-top womanizer.
His famous catchphrases, elaborate schemes, and outrageous stories make him one of the most entertaining characters on the show. His charisma and antics steal many scenes.
16. Marianne Bryant in Easy A
Marianne Bryant, played by Amanda Bynes, is a strict and judgmental student. Her moralistic views and over-the-top reactions to rumors make her a memorable character.
Her role adds to the comedic tension in the film and creates some funny moments.
17. M’Baku in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
M’Baku, played by Winston Duke, is the leader of the Jabari tribe. He’s strong, imposing, and has a strong sense of honor. His humorous lines and powerful presence make him a standout character.
His interactions with the main characters and his role in the story add depth and excitement to the film.
18. Princess Carolyn in BoJack Horseman
Princess Carolyn, voiced by Amy Sedaris, is a hardworking and ambitious talent agent. She’s a close friend and sometimes love interest of the main character, BoJack.
Her dedication to her career and her emotional struggles make her a deep and relatable character in the show.
19. Sandy Lyle in Along Came Polly
Sandy Lyle, played by Hank Azaria, is a goofy and insecure former child actor. He’s the ex-husband of the main character’s love interest.
His awkwardness and humorous attempts to reconnect with his ex-wife add a lot of comedy to the film.
20. Mark Hanna in The Wolf of Wall Street
Mark Hanna, played by Matthew McConaughey, is a charismatic and somewhat unscrupulous stockbroker. His flashy lifestyle and outrageous advice to the main character, Jordan Belfort, help set the tone for the film’s wild ride.
His memorable scenes and over-the-top personality make him a standout character.
21. Walter Sobchak in The Big Lebowski
Walter Sobchak, played by John Goodman, is a loud and eccentric Vietnam War veteran. His intense personality and unique way of handling situations make him a memorable part of the film.
His over-the-top reactions and quirky behavior often steal the scene.
22. Street Urchin’s Mother in Broad City
Street Urchin’s Mother, played by Susan Blackwell, is a comical and eccentric character who appears briefly in the show. Her odd behavior and humorous interactions with the main characters add a quirky and memorable touch to the episode.
23. Kitty Foreman in That ’70s Show/That ’90s Show
Kitty Foreman, played by Debra Jo Rupp, is the warm and caring mother on That ’70s Show. She’s known for her kind heart, sense of humor, and sometimes over-the-top reactions.
Her supportive nature and funny lines make her a beloved character in the show.
24. Megan in Bridesmaids
Megan, played by Melissa McCarthy, is the bridesmaid with a unique and blunt personality. Her outrageous humor and no-filter attitude make her stand out.
Her funny, often unexpected behavior adds a lot of laughs to the film.
25. Desmond Hume in Lost
Desmond Hume, played by Henry Ian Cusick, is a mysterious and troubled character who lives in a hatch on the island. His backstory and his struggle with a mysterious button make him a key part of the show’s plot.
His depth and unique experiences make him a memorable character.
26. Jacob Palmer in Crazy, Stupid, Love
Jacob Palmer, played by Ryan Gosling, is a smooth-talking ladies’ man who helps the main character get back into the dating scene. His charm, confidence, and funny moments of awkwardness add a lot of humor and depth to the film.
27. Roy Schlieffen in Palm Springs
Roy Schlieffen, played by J.K. Simmons, is a grumpy character who, like the main characters, is stuck in a time loop. His frustration and attempts to deal with the endless repetition add humor and a sense of reality to the film’s unusual situation.
It’s not always the main stars who make a story great—these characters show that every role, big or small, can leave a lasting impression.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
