TV Characters Defined by Their Sense of Humor
It can be difficult to stand out as a character known for your sense of humor, given the fact that everyone has a different idea of what is funny.
There is your standard comedian who can tell a joke and think on their feet. Other times, the comedy comes from a certain type of stupidity where it is so dumb it is funny.
Some thrive because of their dry sense of humor or cynicism, and physical, witty, observational, self-deprecating, sarcastic, and satirical humor all have homes, too.
There are the ones who try to be funny and the ones who don’t, who might be meant to be laughed at rather than with, and all leave impressions.
Regardless of the type, the one thing distinguishing a character for their sense of humor is their delivery, which has to be believable. It is not just what you say but also how you say it that resonates with audiences.
And these characters, in no particular order, have certainly defined themselves as obtaining a unique sense of humor.
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Charlie Kelly – It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
From bashing rats to being an illiterate who knows German to huffing paint to knowing how to play instruments and coming up with songs on the spot, Charlie Kelly (Charlie Day) is a prime example of absurd comedy.
Charlie has “Gone America All Over Everybody’s Ass,” proved he isn’t white trash by the motility of his jean shorts, put on his Nightman Cometh musical, has to be told not to try to swim to Europe, and has a real cheese addiction.
There is also the great moment when Mac and Dennis try to help him set up a dating app profile.
His likes? Little green ghouls. Hobby? Magnets. Favorite food? Milk steak. Dislikes? People’s knees. I mean, cover your knees up if you’re gonna be walking around everywhere…
What does he pretend his career is on the date? Well, he tries to say philanthropist, but the words “get blocked up in [his] mouth and [he] don’t say it no good,” so “full-on rapist” is what ends up coming out.
Larry David – Curb Your Enthusiasm
Larry David is “pretty, pretty” hilarious. His obscure opinions on society’s norms and taboos lead him to say and do things that scream cringe.
This fictional version of himself is brilliant, unconventional, opinionated, and easily hated, yet there will be moments you find yourself agreeing.
We all put people in our phones using a one-word identifying descriptor, pick up hookers to use the carpool lane, wear MAGA hats so no one wants to have any social interaction with us, pretend to be an Orthodox Jew to get our best friend a kidney faster…
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The show is unscripted and ridiculous, and no one could ever dream of recreating Larry David’s sense of humor.
Gregory Eddie – Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementary has a deep talent pool, and there is no shortage of humor on the hit sitcom.
However, Gregory Eddie’s (Tyler James Williams) subtle humor is underrated.
His facial expressions, timing, and consistency are top-notch.
His effortless and simple facial expressions are what set his character apart.
The way he takes Ava’s crude and flirtatious comments leaves fans cracking up.
His side eyes and how he looks into the camera do not go unnoticed. It is physical comedy at its finest.
Lucille Bluth – Arrested Development
The Lucille Bluth lines are endless…
“I wanna cry so bad, but I don’t think I can spare the moisture.”
“Your wrist is testing the tensile strength of that bracelet.”
“It’s one banana, Michael, what could it cost, 10 dollars?”
Her drinking problem is also an amazing center of her humor, ordering vodka on the rocks with a piece of toast for breakfast, winning a drinking contest while in rehab, saying people hate hospitals because there aren’t bars in them.
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Jessica Walter delivers all her lines flawlessly, beautifully, and with genius.
Everyone else could only hope to master the art as well as she has.
The comedic gold she has left behind is historic, and Lucille Bluth is undoubtedly an Arrested Development fan favorite character because of her sense of humor.
Leon Black- Curb Your Enthusiasm
Yes, Larry David may be the show’s star, but Leon Black’s (J.B. Smoove) sense of humor stole the spotlight the second he got in front of that camera.
He is proud of his ability to “brings the ruckus to the ladies,” comparing himself to “Barack Obama, motherf*****! I’m the president of hittin’ that a**!”
Without Leon, fans would never know the nickname “long-ball Larry” or the term “lampin’.”
He is not shy either, admitting to shooting a porno constipated, and his natural skill to handle Larry’s unusual behaviors with quick-witted one-liners is brilliant.
His entry into the show was even top-tier comedy.
His whole family left the David household, and despite having no reason to stay, he told Larry he was “going upstairs to eat this f***in’ Chinese food in my f***in’ room.” He has been a staple in the HBO hit ever since.
Phil Dunphy- Modern Family
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when fans think of the Modern Family Dunphy father figure is one thing— his book of “Phil’sosophy.”
Always look people in the eye, even if they are blind. If you get pulled over for speeding, tell the police officer your spouse has diarrhea.
Watch a sunrise at least once a day. Marry someone who looks sexy while disappointed.
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Phil’s childish behavior, novelty, and awkwardness distinguish him from the other cast members.
His dad jokes and goofiness are played out perfectly. It is hard to do dumb humor without it being a bit cringe-worthy, but Phil is a wizard at it.
April Ludgate- Parks & Recreation
April Ludgate (Audrey Plaza), a Parks and Recreation favorite, is a brilliant contrast to Leslie. She is detached, shrewd, and loves ravens — a beacon for dark comedy fans.
Her head is a “terror dome,” and may or may not have a giant needle on hand if someone tells her secrets and thinks going insane is fun!
Her interest in national parks may stem from them being the best places for a full-moon werewolf transformation, but at least she is fighting for them!
Plus, she makes a very solid point — all wine tastes the same. If you spend more than $5 on it, then you are very stupid.
Her deadpan manner, obvious boredom, sarcasm, and dry sense of humor are praiseworthy and have garnered her character much-deserved comedic attention.
George Lopez- The George Lopez Show
Like Larry David, the titular comedian George Lopez plays a fictionalized version of himself in the ABC sitcom of the same name.
His childhood is the center of a lot of the comedy because his mother was a hedonistic alcoholic.
This leads to many hilarious one-liners because now he is a helicopter parent. This family dynamic and Lopez’s humor create a relatability and lighten up a rough childhood.
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For example, when his mother complimented him on always being independent, crossing the street alone when he was 2, Lopez responded, “I was looking for food!”
He teaches life lessons in unique ways, playing “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and queuing it up to the educational part, hoping that watching scary stuff would make his son more careful of the dangers in the world.
Lopez also has a repertoire of catchphrases, which are always delivered beautifully and in a way that never gets old.
He does not hide his disdain for people and loves to mess with anyone who tries to offend him.
When an in-law asks what he has been up to, knowing they don’t think highly of him, he responds that he just got off of parole due to stabbing someone when they looked at his wife in the wrong way.
Licked the knife clean, too, because that is how he rolls, fool!
Creed Bratton – The Office
Creed also plays a fictionalized version of himself on The Office.
The real-life former Grass Roots musician plays a hippie and homeless man with a strange sense of humor who is employed at Dunder Mifflin.
The show has a long list of talent, but everything that comes from Creed’s mouth is hysterical. He may not be the main character, but it will surely be an unforgettable moment when the cameras focus on him. The fact his golden nuggets are sporadic only adds to the intrigue and comedy.
Offended by homosexuality? Not Creed.
In the ’60s, he “made love to many, many women, often outdoors, in the mud and the rain, and it’s possible a man slipped in. There would be no way of knowing.”
He has a mysterious way of never being fired despite not actually knowing what is going on, and his literal grassroots is obvious when he says, “The copier did tricks on the high wire. A lady tried to give away a baby that looked like a cat.
“There was a Dwight impersonator and a Jim impersonator. A strongman crushed a turtle. I laughed, and I cried. Not bad for a day in the life of a dog food company.”
As fans, we go along with his nonsense. Of course, he understands pirate code but can’t speak it, though. Need a worm dealer? Creed’s got you.
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He thinks Jim is gay but tries to set him up with his daughter. Points out you can only ooze two things: sexuality and pus. And, if he can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about? What is he working towards?
Jim Lahey – Trailer Park Boys
Famous for being a drunk trailer park supervisor, Jim Lahey (John Dunsworth) may be best known for his line, “I am the liquor,” talk of the winds of shit, and constant failure to take down whatever illegal activity Julian, Ricky, and Bubbles are conducting.
He is absurd, and his sense of humor is heightened when he is “on the liquor,” telling stories of shitfish, shitnets, and shitpower because “when you are in a man’s power, you must do as he bids you.”
Lahey’s struggle with alcohol leads to the most quotable moments of TPB, like, “Alcoholics go to meetings. I don’t go to meetings; therefore, I’m not an alcoholic.”
Before Dunsworth unexpectedly passed away, he coincidentally said at some point while shooting the show, “When you’re dead, you’re dead. But you’re not quite so dead if you contribute something.”
He undoubtedly contributed moments on the screen that will live on through memes and fan’s hearts.
Kimiko Miyashiro – The Boys
Kimiko Miyashiro (Karen Fukuhara) may be a largely nonverbal character, but her sense of humor shines in other forms, such as sign language and text messages.
She is quick-witted and sharp-minded and keeps Frenchie and the other boys alert with her clever insults and callouts.
She can grasp fans uniquely, which speaks a lot about her character.
Even though she may be a little more reserved, guarded, and tougher than your average character known for their sense of humor, she still stands out among the rest of The Boys cast.
Terry Jeffords – Brooklyn Nine-Nine
The Brooklyn Nine-Nine lieutenant is another character based on the actors themselves.
Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews) may physically be huge, eating 10,000 calories a day to maintain his size, but he is really a softy.
His size has played into many of the best moments on the show, like when he attempted to get a vasectomy.
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The doctors had to stop the surgery because they didn’t realize before that they didn’t have enough anesthesia for the procedure due to his size, which forced them to pause the operation.
In his state of delusion, he utters numerous hilarious lines, like commenting on how small Jake Peralta’s head is and asking him where he keeps his brain.
His obsession with yogurt and his frequent use of the third person add a layer to his sense of humor that makes him unforgettable.
Tormund Giantsbane- Game of Thrones
The Game of Thrones Free Folk leader is by far one of the funniest characters. His vulgarity, brute nature, and directness lead to some of the show’s best banter and comedic lines.
His facial expressions are on point, and his obsession with Brienne of Tarth makes for some of his most iconic moments.
His words were quite literal, like when someone referred to the Queen.
He wasn’t sure if they were talking about Cersei or Daenerys, so for clarification, he asked, “The one with the dragons or the one that f**** her brother?”
Or his advice on how to survive the cold, “You have to keep moving; that’s the secret. Walking’s good, fight’s better, f******’s best.”
Giantsbane’s sense of humor is a series highlight and makes for some epic memes.
Willie Jack – Reservation Dogs
Reservation Dogs is a revolutionary FX show hailed for depicting Native Americans through an Indigenous perspective rather than a white perspective.
Although it is centered around a tragic event, it has its hysterical moments.
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Willie Jack (Paulina Alexis) is tough, fierce, loyal, and unafraid to call someone out when needed. She is known for her memorable digs and clever sense of humor, which feels natural.
Even if her moments are just tiny sections of her lines, she makes them count.
Just the way she thinks of learning the wizard ways as not being sure if it’s a wax-on, wax-off situation, so she just shuts up and goes with it, creating a laughable and memorable moment.
Her facial expressions also make fans crack up, and there is something special about a character’s ability to evoke laughter from simple reactions.
Samantha Jones – Sex and the City
Samantha Jones left her mark on the industry with her brilliantly hilarious moments in Sex and the City. She does not care what anyone thinks about her, lives life to the fullest, and never stifles her passion or personality.
She always wants to have a good time, obviously, when she says, “I don’t believe in the Republican party or the Democratic party. I just believe in parties.”
She is also not afraid to tell a man she loves them but loves herself more.
She knows who she is and is not afraid to flaunt it. Her delivery and willingness to make her presence none makes for some of the most quotable TV moments.
“Yeah, I am harsh. I’m also demanding, stubborn, self-sufficient, and always right. In bed, at the office, and everywhere else.”
Grandma Huang – Fresh Off the Boat
Grandma Huang (Lucille Soong) is the comedic relief on Fresh Off the Boat.
Fans love her attitude and sense of humor, both verbal and physical. Her facial expressions and wheelchair make for the best parts of the show.
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With the looming threat of Y2K and Emery’s idea to live it up, instead of following the public’s panic, she decides to pour a can of soda on the carpet because there is no need to worry about consequences with the crash of computers on the horizon.
Using the same reasoning when Emery and Evan tell her not to sign up for a credit card because she has no way of paying it off, she tells them, no need to worry, you pile up the debt and wait until January when bank records get erased. Y2K. Her way of living it up.
In her free time, she likes to take pennies from the public fountain, and she loves Garfield.
She loves free things from the bank, and after the disappointment of learning the pen she wanted was chained to the desk, she takes a potted plant instead.
Supposedly, she has also knitted a cape for Evel Knievel in the past, and she watches “Twins” because she is attracted to Danny DeVito.
Grandma Huang’s delivery is flawless, and her humor is unparalleled.
Chandler Bing – Friends
Chandler Bing’s (Matthew Perry) sarcastic sense of humor and ability to “say more dumb things before 9 a.m. than most people say all day” certainly established him as a character known for his humor.
He also uses comedy as a defense mechanism and a way to cope with his rough childhood upbringing, which started after his parents split up.
This makes him a relatable character, as this tends to be a way for many people to cope.
Chandler is also a comedian who uses his self-esteem issues as the center of jokes, and quitting often becomes the joke.
He always delivers the best zingers and witty comments, but he tends to mess up often, which only adds to his comedy.
His natural humor is extremely effective and has created infamous humor throughout Friends.
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Dr. Gregory House – House
Dr. Gregory House has a dry sense of that resonates with fans. He is intelligent and crude, but in the most captivating way that made his sometimes insensitive remarks absolutely hilarious.
When someone asks him if he minds if they come in his place, he responds, “Not at all. Do you mind if I leave?”
How could fans not crack up when he said, “I cared for eight seconds. Then got distracted,” or “The good news is he won’t be bitching about losing his hand if he can’t breathe”?
He doesn’t care what people think of him and calls it as it is.
He also has his own unconventional way of caring for people, like when he knocked on Wilson’s door and said, “I know you’re in there. I can hear you caring.”
The star of House brought humor to a hit show that otherwise is not considered a comedy.
Red Forman – That ’70s Show
Red Forman of That ’70s Show is an icon of bitter humor, sarcasm, and edgy jabs.
He is irritable and grumpy but not actually a cruel person, which makes an interesting contrast and his comedy even better because, you know, at his core, he isn’t truly hateful.
He is blunt and has an irreverent tone and manner that fans cling to and enjoy.
He is the king of insults and is always looking for someone’s ass to put his boot up. He also wants to be buried facedown when the time comes so anyone who doesn’t like him can kiss it.
His deadpan humor makes him an icon for the ages.
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The TV characters known for their sense of humor will always live on in fans’ hearts and through the most infamous memes.
Regardless of their style or the show’s genre, the ones who provide comedic relief or outdo the other show members will continue to be favorites because of their hilarity.
In the comments below, please tell us what you think of the characters listed and some of your favorite lines or scenes!
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