TV enthusiasts are nothing if not ardent, and when it comes to calling out the best characters to ever appear on the small screen, everyone’s got a favorite—and likely a catchphrase or two to go along with it.
But thanks to a massive Ranker poll fueled by more than 1.6 million fan votes, we now have a definitive list, at least for the time being. These ten actors not only starred in their shows—they made a lasting impact on TV history. Here’s a closer examination of the most iconic TV characters in history and why each one stands out.
1. Walter White (Breaking Bad)
Bryan Cranston’s Walter White is the template for the contemporary TV anti-hero. He begins as a low-key, terminally ill chemistry teacher who wants only to provide for his family, and becomes the notorious drug kingpin Heisenberg. His fall is unputdownable, terrifying, and impossible to avoid. Cranston’s acting picks up every nuance of Walter’s moral compass, making him one of the most nuanced and interesting characters ever created for television.
2. Saul Goodman (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul)
Bob Odenkirk’s Saul Goodman, aka Jimmy McGill, is a smooth-talking, slippery lawyer whose heart is always conflicted by his drive. What started as Breaking Bad’s comic relief evolved into a complex, sorrowful character development in Better Call Saul. With his wit, charm, and gradual development, Saul turned into a spin-off character who superseded the original and became arguably better.
3. Michael Scott (The Office)
Steve Carell’s Michael Scott ranks among TV’s greatest lovable train wrecks. As the bumbling but good-hearted Dunder Mifflin boss, Michael toes the line between comedy and tragedy. His cringeworthy antics are offset by moments of unexpected emotional nuance, which make him not only a joke, victoriously a character fully fleshed out in pursuit of connection and significance. Few characters are as apt to make you laugh and cry as Michael Scott.
4. Mike Ehrmantraut (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul)
Jonathan Banks provides Mike Ehrmantraut with a reserved gravitas that commands every scene. A fixer, an enforcer, and a former cop with a personal ethic, Mike is a man of few words but quick instincts. Whether cleaning up cartel messes or coaching Jimmy McGill, Mike brings calm intensity to the screen. He’s the sort of fellow you trust on sight—even when you know you shouldn’t.
5. Jesse Pinkman (Breaking Bad)
Aaron Paul’s Jesse Pinkman delivers one of television’s saddest performances. Originally a self-sabotaging, small-time meth lord, Jesse evolves into the emotional center of Breaking Bad. His fertile vulnerability, his bottomless capacity for atonement, and his complicated relationship with Walter White give the series some of its most devastating moments. Jesse’s metamorphosis is a masterclass in characterization.
6. Tony Soprano (The Sopranos)
James Gandolfini’s portrayal of Tony Soprano changed the game for TV drama. A mob boss struggling with panic attacks and the pressures of family life, Tony is equal parts ruthless and relatable. His therapy sessions reveal a man haunted by his choices—both personal and professional, making him one of the most layered characters ever put on screen. The Sopranos proved that complex, flawed protagonists could carry a show—and redefine a genre.
7. Dwight Schrute: The Eccentric Office Enforcer
Rainn Wilson’s Dwight Schrute is simply unforgettable. From his beet and bear adoration to his gun-toting office rigor and absolute devotion to Michael Scott, Dwight is the offbeat pulse of The Office. But aside from the quirks, he’s also intensely loyal, strangely charming, and oddly competent. Dwight’s combination of ridiculousness and earnestness is what makes him such a unique fan favorite.
8. Chandler Bing (Friends)
Matthew Perry’s Chandler Bing was the acid-tongued wit of Friends, serving up one-liners that were instant classics. But Chandler was a more nuanced character than mere comic relief—he had insecurity, vulnerability, and a fiercely loyal heart. His transformation from commitment-phobic wisecracker to nurturing husband provided the show with emotional equilibrium, and Perry’s performance animated him with heart and humor.
9. Daryl Dixon (The Walking Dead)
Norman Reedus’s Daryl Dixon didn’t originate in The Walking Dead comics, but he soon became the show’s most recognizable figure. Tough, taciturn, and intensely loyal, Daryl won over audiences through grit, heart, and a crossbow strapped to his back. Throughout the zombie apocalypse, Daryl’s quiet heroism and emotional development provided the show with its most lasting presence—and a huge fan base.
The Legacy of Great Characters
These nine characters didn’t just drive their storylines—they redefined what television characters could be. They’ve become cultural touchstones, reminding us why we fall in love with TV in the first place: great characters with great stories, told well.