The 1960s was a pivotal time for TV. Even though there weren’t as many shows as there currently are in 2024, there were still tons of programs setting the framework for what entertainment is considered today. Saturday morning cartoons quickly became the talk of the town. That inspired different spinoffs, lunch box designs, toys, and countless other avenues to make money. That was only the start, though.
Characters like Scooby-Doo were introduced to society in the 1960s. Not many people could have envisioned the impact the show would have on the world when it first aired on TV. While the movies that were filmed in the 2000s didn’t get the same approval ratings from critics as they did from fans, none of this would have been possible without the first iteration of the show.
The 1960s was filled with predictions about what the future would look like. No show captured those looming questions better than “The Jetsons.” The show focused on a family from the future with the father character of George Jetson becoming a fan favorite. Predictions of the future from the 60s haven’t necessarily come to fruition, but it’s challenging to find a character as beloved as George Jetson.
On the flip side, characters like Fred Flintstone from the ’60s gave viewers insight into what life might have been like during the prehistoric days. For more 1960s content, click here to read about celebrities who were hippies during this decade.
To compile this list of the most likable TV characters of the ’60s, 24/7 Tempo consulted entertainment sources. These include IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and Movie Web.
Underdog
- Show: “Underdog”
- Played by: Wally Cox
Watching a dog fight back against crime was a great way to start the day. That’s just what kids got when they saw Underdog come across their screens. The crime fighting dog was originally supposed to be a parody of Superman for adults, but he became popular among younger viewers. The show ran for three seasons, but is still talked about in 2024. It’s one of the most memorable animated shows from the 1960s. Wally Cox is the man who voiced the famous animal.
The Skipper
- Show: “Gilligan’s Island”
- Played by: Alan Hale Jr.
Being stuck with someone who always looks for the best in situations makes life a lot easier. That’s exactly what happened when the boat in “Gilligan’s Island” crashed onto a deserted tropical island. While Gilligan was an arrogant person, The Skipper of the boat always remained optimistic in whatever situations came up for the group who was trapped.
Gilligan and The Skipper contrasted each other perfectly, which is why fans came to love The Skipper so much. The warm feeling tons of people got whenever The Skipper showed up onscreen helped propel the show to its legendary status.
George Jetson
- Show: “The Jetsons”
- Played by: George O’Hanlon
Thinking about how different life will be in the future has always fascinating to daydream about. In the ’60s, “The Jetsons” took that idea and ran with it. The father of the family, George Jetson, became a fan favorite. He made sure his family was always safe during their travels together.
Jetson also allowed people to live in their wildest imaginations. Like many of the shows on this list, “The Jetsons” has continued to live on thanks to the fandom it created during its run in the 1960s.
Brit Reid
- Show: “The Green Hornet”
- Played by: Van Williams
Living life as a crime fighting hero who has a regular job on the side is the dream of many children as they’re growing up. Brit Reid did that as the Green Hornet. The show followed him and his sidekick, Kato, on missions and adventures to keep their town safe. While the show only aired for one season, it was one of the first superhero-focused shows that helped more programs follow in its footsteps.
Fred Flintstone
- Show: “The Flintstones”
- Played by: Alan Reed
Envisioning the future was common in the 1960s, but “The Flintstones” made viewers curious about the past. The show depicted what life was like during the prehistoric days. Fred Flintstone is the main character and he’s arguably the most recognized television character of all-time.
He helped his family survive in conditions that society couldn’t imagine dealing with now thanks to modern technology. “The Flintstones” made history during its six season run. It was the first animated show to land in a primetime television slot. Today, Flintstone memorabilia is highly collectible.
Scooby-Doo
- Show: “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!”
- Played by: Don Messick
It’s hard to measure the true cultural impact shows like “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” have had. Millions of kids grew up watching the gang of curious teenagers solve mysteries. The best part of the show was watching Scooby muster up enough courage to fight crime. He also tapped into the hearts of viewers with his constant appetite and loyal friendship with Shaggy.
Adults love “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” as a whole because of the funny jokes that fly over the heads of younger people. Children enjoy the show for its surface-level value. There are even real dog treats called Scooby Snacks, which were inspired from the animated series. Scooby-Doo is still a beloved character in 2024, and his reputation won’t be changing anytime soon.
Captain Kirk
- Show: “Star Trek: The Original Series”
- Played by: William Shatner
The Star Trek franchise is beloved by fans around the world. One of the reasons for this is the character of Captain Kirk. During the original television series run, William Shatner played the captain for all of the crew’s adventures together. The exploration of new worlds and attempts to make contact with different life forms is something curious viewers can resonate with. Who knows it it will ever happen, but the Star Trek franchise did its best to show what alien communication might be like.
Mr. Rogers
- Show: “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”
- Played by: Fred Rogers
Before “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” there weren’t any shows on television that helped children absorb knowledge before pre-school. He understood that and wanted to make a difference. For that reason, Mr. Rogers became one of the most beloved people in history.
Rogers taught kids about kindness, empathy, and the important traits many people should have in this world. He also taught kids about music, crafts, and everything else they might be interested in. Throughout time, Mr. Rogers has been revered by many as a hero because he is the type of person people should aspire to be like.
Yogi Bear
- Show: “The Yogi Bear Show”
- Played by: Daws Butler
Yogi Bear was a bear trying to survive in the world. He stole food and needed to make sure he wasn’t caught by the park ranger for his crimes. To this day, many fans love watching Yogi Bear strive to survive. Since it’s a children’s show, it’s easy to root for the bear to be successful in his endeavors. Like the other shows on this list, Yogi Bear is still around in 2024 as a character kids can look up to and watch for fun.
Julia Child
- Show: “The French Chef”
- Played by: Julia Child
Using television to teach adults how to cook wasn’t her original intention, but Julia Child took the idea and ran with it. After serving in World War II, Child wanted to make more of an impact on society. She knew that one of the few things most people love is a good meal.
In order to spread the word about her recipes, she created the show “The French Chef.” It was one of the first successful cooking shows on television. Because of her, there are now countless cooking shows available on live TV and streaming platforms. Child also wrote several different cookbooks during her career. She influenced many lives, which is exactly what she wanted. For more 1960s content, click here to read about fashion fads from the decade we won’t ever see again.