80s TV’s Most Memorable Character Icons

Everyone may have their opinions on what the best decade was but it’s hard to deny that the 80s were an incredible time. It was an era that saw changes in comedy with the popularity of parody films, like Airplane!, the debut of music videos thanks to MTV, the golden age of hip-hop, iconic video games, and incredible toys that our parents waited in line for to make us happy for – we’re looking at you Cabbage Patch Kid.

Of course, the 80s also had many unforgettable television shows. What made those programs so great was the characters. They were always colorful, and sometimes they were a little odd, but that’s what made them so amazing and timeless. Listed here you will find some of the most iconic TV characters of the 80s and what made them so great and rewatchable today.

Because there were many different television shows during the 80s, and people differ in what they think might be iconic characters,  this list is somewhat subjective. To find the 80s most iconic TV characters that justify being mentioned, 24/7 Tempo combed through numerous pop culture sources, including the Internet Movie Database, The Guardian, and Entertainment Weekly, among others. Here is a list we think you’ll enjoy. (These are the most annoying TV characters ever created.)

ALF

• Show: ALF
• Played By: Gordon Shumway

While you may not have seen Gordon Shumway command the screen in Alf, you did hear him play the part of an alien named ALF (Alien Life Form). He crash-landed in the garage of a human family, the Tanners, and they took him in as one of their own. “ALF” was funny because he had a blast getting used to the technology in the modern world, from television to video games.

He always had a quick remark for every situation, and that was part of the reason why the show only lasted four years. According to reports, there were a lot of technical demands to have a puppet be the star of the show, and apparently, the human characters were upset that the puppet always got the best lines.

Norm Peterson

• Show: Cheers
• Played By: George Wendt

One of the most popular and highly-rated shows of the 80s was “Cheers,” and there are many notable characters that we could add to this list. From Frasier Crane and Diane Chambers to bartenders Woody Boyd and Sam Malone, this list of amazing characters made it hard to consider, so we went with Norm Peterson, who gave us the eponymous line many of us still use today.

He was the quintessential everyman who worked hard and just wanted to head to his favorite bar every night so he could relax and talk with his best buds. This character was played with perfection by actor George Wendt, who played Norm as easygoing but also very funny, and the show was made better because of him.

Angus MacGyver

• Show: MacGyver
• Played By: Richard Dean Anderson

Another famous face from 80s television is the iconic action star that was mostly only referred to as “MacGyver.” He was a secret agent who always tried to avoid using guns. Instead, he was a genius proficient in many languages, including the language of bombs, and understood everything about applied science. “Macgyver” used these skills to rig up non-lethal tricks and contraptions to take down the bad guys.

Because he didn’t do what all the other action heroes did at the time, he was one of the most iconic TV characters of the 80s. Many of them used guns to blast their way out of situations, but MacGyver refused to carry a gun. The show was remade in 2016, and that series went on until 2021, but it was lame in comparison to the original.

Daisy Duke

• Show: The Dukes of Hazzard
• Played By: Catherine Bach

Although the show started in ‘79, “The Dukes of Hazzard” defined the 80s. It was a show about a fun family living on the outskirts of Hazzard County who get into a lot of misadventures and their cousin Daisy was always along for the ride. Played by Catherine Bach, Daisy Duke is a fun-loving girl who is well-meaning but sometimes comes off as naive.

She was one of the first characters on television who really paved the way for female empowerment. Her car, the General Lee, was a character in its own right, and everyone wanted one. In addition to being an iconic character from the 80s, she also had a memorable catchphrase. It was: “Just a good ol’ country girl.”

Alex P. Keaton

• Show: Family Ties
• Played By: Michael J. Fox

No list of the most iconic TV characters of the 80s would be complete without mentioning the role that made Michael J. Fox a household name. Alex P. Keaton was a funny character, but he set himself apart from many other TV characters from the 80s by being less of a goofball and more of a businessman. He was obsessed with wealth and power and had all kinds of schemes designed to make him the most money, even as a teen.

His character was also well-known for being one of the few in all of TV history to be a self-professed republican. Part of the joke was that he clashed with his liberal parents about topics around the dinner table. The character went on to attend college, where he dated several women. Alex P. Keaton is a fun and unique character for the ages.

Mike Seaver

• Show: Growing Pains
• Played By: Kirk Cameron

One of the first characters that often come to mind when people think about the 80s is Mike Seaver, the son from the show “Growing Pains.” He was the oldest in the family, but he was far from the most responsible in the group. He’s a bit of a troublemaker, and his grades weren’t great, but even so, his family loved him, and he could always be depended on in a pinch.

As a fun fact, in an episode called All the World’s a Stage, there was a character who was an older version of Mike, and he was played by Cameron’s real father, Robert Cameron. While Kirk Cameron has done other projects since this time, he will always almost be synonymous with “Growing Pains.”

Natalie Green

• Show: The Facts of Life
• Played By: Mindy Cohn

Easily one of the most iconic TV characters of the 80s was Natalie Green because she was a highlight of the show “The Facts of Life.” This was more than just a sitcom. Instead, the series tackled serious topics, such as assault, love before marriage, and body image, among other topics. Natalie was never afraid to talk about these ideas, and the show was better because of it.

She was an empowering figure and a good role model who didn’t look like the traditional actress, which was a great thing for the time. Her famous line was, “Who wants to be a skinny pencil? I’d rather be a happy Magic Marker!”

Blake Carrington

• Show: Dynasty
• Played By: John Forsythe

If you loved soap operas during the 1980s, chances are you watched Dynasty, and you were not alone. Although the show had a very large cast and many amazing characters, that of Blake Carrington really stands out. Played by John Forsythe, Blake is a CEO and an oil tycoon who starts out as a very stern man, but as the series progresses, he softens and becomes the quintessential patriarch.

The idea is that he could run a major corporation but had trouble understanding his family at home. It’s something many of us could relate to, and that’s why he’s an iconic character.

Judge Harry T. Jones

• Show: Night Court
• Played By: Harry Anderson

“Night Court” was a long-running sitcom that had many colorful characters played by hilarious actors. Some of them even returned for the new “Night Court” series currently on NBC. However, one character that is noticeably missing is Judge Harry T. Jones, who was played by the great comic Harry Anderson, who passed away in 2018.

He was a very unorthodox judge who was also an amateur magician, and so he incorporated some of those skills into his act. Harry became the judge when the outgoing mayor was calling potential people to fill judicial vacancies, and Harry was the only one home at the time. He was a funny character who loved old movies and old movie stars, and he incorporated a lot of his quirkiness behind the bench.

Thomas Magnum

• Show: Magnum P.I.
• Played By: Tom Selleck

There have always been many great shows about law enforcement, but “Magnum P.I.” was amongst the most memorable. The main protagonist of that show, Thomas Magnum, played by Tom Selleck, was a smart and charismatic character who worked as a private investigator living in Hawaii and enjoyed a pretty good life while working on the cases that he liked.

While there are some stressful moments, Magnum P.I. is known for keeping his cool. He’s also famous for wearing a Hawaiian shirt, boat shoes, and a baseball hat. There has been a reboot of the “Magnum P.I.” show, starring Jay Hernandez as the titular character, but there’s nothing like Tom Selleck’s portrait.

George Jefferson

• Show: The Jeffersons
• Played By: Sherman Hemsley

Although this amazing sitcom was already on the air for five years by the time the start of the 80s rolled around, George Jefferson was still considered to be one of the iconic TV characters during this decade. The character is a dry-cleaning business owner trying his best to raise a family and stay above the day’s problems.

The show dealt with many difficult issues, like racism and sexism, but it still managed to keep a mostly light tone. By the end of the series, George Jefferson was the ultimate family man. Many new characters in modern shows are often compared to him to this day.

Arnold Jackson

• Show: Diff’rent Strokes
• Played By: Gary Coleman

Another of the most iconic TV characters of the 80s is also one of the most quoted, and that is young Arnold Jackson, played by the late Gary Coleman. Even if you’ve never seen the show, you still likely know his catchphrase, “Whatchoo talkin’ ‘bout, Willis?” The show’s idea is that he was one of two brothers adopted by a white widow in NYC.

The character had a lot of other great one-liners and was generally relatable to a large audience. Coleman played him so well that he was typically typecast or only remembered for that role for the rest of his career.

Jack E. Tripper, Jr.

• Show: Three’s Company
• Played By: John Ritter

One of the most famous actors who existed during the 80s television was John Ritter, especially when it came to his portrayal of Jack Tripper on “Three’s Company.” There was a lot to love from the different audiences of the show. Casual viewers loved to see his slapstick comedy and the fact that he fell and tripped on almost everything in sight.

Female viewers liked the fact that he was protective of women and his friends. He was an everyman that every person could appreciate. John Ritter went on to do a lot of other great television and movies during his career, but this is perhaps his most beloved role.

Penelope “Punky” Brewster

• Show: Punky Brewster
• Played By: Soleil Moon Frye

The character of Punky Brewster is one that often comes up when people are discussing beloved shows of the 80s. Punky was a spunky kid who was always optimistic and tried to make the best out of every situation while having some pretty good one-liners in the process. She’s a multi-dimensional character who is happy despite her unhappy past, including a father who walked out and a mother who abandoned her.

In addition to her demeanor, the character is also famous for her mismatched clothes and pigtails. Pigtails are often synonymous with Punky Brewster to this day. Dig a little deeper into 80s television by reviewing The Most Popular TV Episodes of the 1980s.