Most of the time, the leader is not the one who makes us excited, so to speak. However, these guys just don’t exist. The heroes’ sidekicks are always the characters that hold the house captivated: the peculiar neighbor, the jester, or the loyal partner. Despite being funny, heartfelt, or just alive, these actors prove not to be the “stars” of the center stage of the world. Here’s a list of ten side characters that turned their supporting roles into spectacular ones.
10. Sisu (Raya and the Last Dragon)
Though Raya was the one to ride the sword to the rescue, Sisu was the one to connect with us emotionally. The dragon’s lovably goofy nature, along with her insight and fragility, and her emotional journey, made her a character that one cannot easily forget. It was a shock to the audience when she died, and people applauded her coming back to life – the biggest testimony to the mythical sidekick’s power to upstage the warrior hero who is front and center of the story.
9. Kimmy Gibbler (Full House)
No story is complete without a best friend of the wild-card variety, and Kimmy was just the right fit. Her frantic clothes, her rather unexpected sense of humor, and her capability to turn things upside down (she did it so frequently that even the DJ character got a bit irritated with her) were just some of the ways by which she usually got the spotlight from the DJs’ scenes. She was so successful that she came back with a bang in Fuller House. So it turns out being the eccentric neighbor is a superpower.
8. Kronk (The Emperor’s New Groove)
In a way, Yzma’s mafia member, Kronk, was the real star of the movie. His lovable oblivion, side-splitting asides, and shocking goodness of heart made him more memorable than the film’s actual protagonist. Disney even gave him a spin-off of his own to signify the fans’ insatiable appetite for him.
7. Carla Tortelli (Cheers)
At Cheers, everybody knew your name—but you were the one who remembered Carla. Rhea Perlman’s sarcastic, acid-tongued waitress was the master of dis (in a very entertaining way), as she merged sarcasm with a bit of unexpected tenderness. Her feisty fight for what was right and the use of her sharp wit brought her four Emmys and made her a scene-stinker who was one of the greatest TV do n’ts.
6. Hurley (Lost)
Even though the episode was full of puzzles, villains, and high drama, Hurley kept the things grounded with jokes and a good heart. He was not a hero or a genius—just the guy you were most likely to root for because he was the most real. Hurley added a human side to the plight; hence, he was the emotional center of the show.
5. Niles Crane (Frasier)
Niles was created with the intention to be the opposite of his brother, but he ended up becoming one of Frasier’s best parts. David Hyde Pierce’s overly fastidious, super-elegant character brought some of the smartest humor that was seen on the small screen. The fans even went as far as saying that he was even more electrifying than Frasier himself, and having four awards to his credit, the debate leans towards Niles.
4. Genie (Aladdin)
Robin Williams’ Genie didn’t illuminate the screen—it owned it. Aladdin was a charming protagonist, but Genie’s insatiable energy, compassion, and yearning to be free made him unforgettable. Genie is no exaggeration in saying that he’s one of Disney’s greatest sidekicks of all time.
3. Kramer (Seinfeld)
Whenever Kramer burst into Jerry’s apartment, you knew something funny was going to occur. His wacky schemes, physical antics, and unorthodox style made him the top dog on a show full of recognizable characters. By the mid-’90s, Kramer had arguably surpassed the “main guy” himself.
2. Mushu (Mulan)
Mulan saved China, perhaps, but Mushu pilfered scenes both left and right. Eddie Murphy’s hot-headed little dragon provided nonstop giggles, attitude, and unexpected sensitivity as he struggled to prove himself. Mulan is the hero, perhaps, but Mushu provided the film’s comic heart—and viewers adore him for it.
1. Barney Fife (The Andy Griffith Show)
Don Knotts’ portrayal of bungling deputy Barney Fife, the ultimate sidekick who went on to become a star, is simply brilliant. The whole thing was TV magic where he co-starred with Andy Griffith, and his inept but lovable character made the fans fall in love with him repeatedly. Knotts was awarded five Emmys for the part, and even now, the character of Barney remains the benchmark of sidekicks of the past and present.
Sidekicks are “supporting characters,” but oftentimes, they’re the ones we remember best. Eager to laugh at and sarcastically frolic with the audience, they also might deepen the play by virtue of being utterly real, or just be perfectly unpredictable and thereby snag the spotlight in any scene. These scene-stealers demonstrate that, at times, being second is not so bad.