Top 20 Minor Family Guy Characters
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most iconic supporting characters on “Family Guy.” What’s your favorite moment from a “Family Guy” side character? Let us know in the comments below.
#20: Jesus
Who knew a deity would be one of the most memorable additions to the series? The Son of God has been a regular fixture since the very beginning. While he got his start in cutaways, he eventually became part of the storylines. Since then, he’s wreaked havoc on the Griffins’ lives whenever he visits. His out-there personality has made everything he does an absolute riot. While he could have just been a religious caricature, they manage to incorporate both canonical aspects about the figure while also playfully poking at him. It’s a fine line to walk, and they continue to knock it out of the park. Fans can’t wait for the day he rises once more and returns to Quahog.
#19: Greased-Up Deaf Guy
“Family Guy” is at its’ best when it fully leans into its’ irreverent humor. One of the best examples of this is in their gag characters– most notably this guy. Everything about him is seemingly random, and the perfect material for a one-time bit. However, the writers made the genius decision to have him make semi-regular appearances. He has the ability to turn any scene into a laugh-out-loud moment, no matter what he does. His distinctive look and demeanor have helped him stay fresh in the minds of countless viewers – even if his cameos are more sparse in recent seasons. Whether he’s causing playful mischief or addressing the audience, his moments are always executed perfectly.
#18: Al Harrington
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If there’s one thing this show loves, it’s a good shtick. Harrington started as just that — an extended quip about ridiculous commercials. With his rapid-fire speech and his excited demeanor, his ads soon became a favorite amongst those who loved the program. His promotions have been a constant joy over the years, even landing a coveted spot in their famed “Star Wars” parody. He has a natural way of drawing the spotlight to himself, even if he isn’t the biggest personality present in the sequence. While his traits could’ve been seen as one-note, they managed to keep him fresh by adding small details about himself and his personal life – proving that the writers care about all their creations, no matter how prominent they are.
#17: Angela
Peter has had quite a few bosses throughout his career, but none have truly had the same impact that she did. From the beginning, Angela served as a foil to his work shenanigans, keeping him in line in a way nobody else could. As the program progressed, so did her characterization. Despite her no-nonsense attitude, she had her fair share of entertaining moments as well – even if they were slightly insulting. The fact that she was voiced by the incomparable Carrie Fisher only served to make her more beloved in the eyes of the viewers. She was retired when the actress sadly passed, and she was given a truly genuine send-off – with a bit of a twist, of course.
#16: Principal John Shepherd
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The best part about Chris and Meg going to the same school is getting more time with him. Principal Shepherd has been a constant presence over the years; mostly serving as a vehicle for some plots’ beginnings via meetings with the parents. In recent years, he’s been further developed into the sassy administrator he is today. Although the backstory he’s been given could’ve been sad, it’s played in the most hysterical way. He’s had some of the best one-liners – especially when he’s trying to be cool or ruthlessly insulting his students. When he first made his debut, nobody could have seen just how hilarious he would become – and now, he’s one of the cornerstones of the sitcom’s modern era.
#15: Carl
While a guy who works at a gas station and is obsessed with movies may not seem like the funniest inclusion, he’s proven you don’t have to be completely insane to make an impact. While he’s quieter, every line is dripping in comedy gold. His seemingly endless wealth of mature movie moments instantly cemented his fan-favorite status, and further revelations about him only made him more beloved. His rapport with Chris was natural, and it never felt like he was being forced into scenes. His voice actor being H. Jon Benjamin has opened him up to even more jokes – particularly meta ones about his other roles. He’s been criminally underused in more recent years — although, when he does appear, he’s always a delight.
#14: Seamus
He’s probably the most unexpectedly funny addition to the show. In the earlier seasons, Seamus was purely a salty old sea dog; warning Peter of the dangers of his fishing job. However, over the years he’s mellowed out and become more complex. His constant need for validation from the gang has been a constant source of hilarity, whether he’s workshopping puns or trying to join in on their adventures. His body being completely made of wood has led to some impeccable comedic moments as well, without ever punching down or driving them into the ground. While he’s playfully roasted by many of the town’s residents, there’s no doubt that he’s become so much more than the gag he once was.
#13: John Herbert
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“Family Guy” is not exactly known for being politically correct, and our dear neighbor Herbert the Pervert exemplifies this. Both Herbert and his quote-unquote dog have one foot in the grave and every third word he speaks has an obnoxious ring to it. Nonetheless, the neighborhood children are his livelihood… and not in a good way. Chris Griffin is a favorite of his, and for the most part, he remains painfully oblivious to Herbert’s sinister motives. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where sex offenders are a source of comedy, but Seth MacFarlane has done just that with a character you constantly find yourself unintentionally laughing at.
#12: Tomik & Bellgarde
One of the great aspects of “Family Guy” is its ability to unearth stereotypes you were never fully aware of. Tomik and Bellgarde, aka the two guys that “have been living in the United States almost long enough to sound American,” are never incorrect with their speech patterns, but they’re also never quite right. Do they ever have any pertinence to the show’s plot? No. They’re more of a filler when the runtime needs an additional 30 seconds of padding. On some occasions, these extra 30 seconds are the funniest part of an episode, and the gag can be readily repackaged again, and again, and again.
#11: Tricia Takanawa
Tricia manages to take on two stereotypes for the price of one, as an Asian and a drab news reporter. Most statements made by her start the same way and are over within 3 to 4 seconds. Rarely do they offer any relevant news, but frequently do they create muffled laughter. Tricia’s actions aren’t necessarily on the nose for either, but there’s just something about her that makes us cross our fingers whenever a Quahog news report pops up on the screen. If you’re watching this, Tricia, please know you are always welcome to guest host a WatchMojo video. (wait, what? Says who? That’s my job!)
#10: Ernie the Giant Chicken
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Who would’ve ever thought that he would become anything more than a time filler? Peter has had plenty of enemies over the years, but none have been as persistent as the Giant Chicken. Their beef goes back to some of the earliest episodes when the fowl gave him a faulty coupon. Now, every time they see each other, a grand, sprawling battle takes place. They’ve gone all over the world, and have even traveled through time while beating each other up. However, in recent years, Ernie has been given some unexpected development. We’ve been able to learn about his relationships with his family and more about his life – which no one could have expected after seeing that first fight all those years ago.
#9: Jillian Russell-Wilcox
Despite being a dog, Brian has had no trouble dating a plethora of beautiful women. However, none of his girlfriends left as much of an impression as Jillian did. From the beginning, she stood out due to how exaggerated her lack of intelligence was. The juxtaposition between her personality and his was genuinely interesting, and it was fun watching them play off of one another. However, she was much more than a pretty face. She was kind-hearted, which always came through in her appearances. She brought out a great side of the canine, and people were genuinely bummed when the two broke up for good. Since then, none of his girlfriends have had that same spark with him or the fanbase.
#8: Dr. Elmer Hartman
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We certainly wouldn’t want him as our real-life physician, but we’ll still gladly watch him on our TVs. While some characters who become less smart over time can become one-note, Dr. Hartman’s constantly decaying intelligence has been one of the most amusing bits since the series’ inception. His long-winded bait-and-switch jokes are a stroke of comic genius, and established his humor early on. His incompetence knows no bounds, and he has no understanding of the human body whatsoever. Despite being the definition of a personality hire, he’s so likable that his malpractice just ends up being funny. While he may not be the best doctor, he’s definitely one of the best parts of “Family Guy”-- and that’s just as good in our book.
#7: Mort Goldman
Have you noticed that every entry so far has been a not so subtle stereotype? Well, Mort Goldman essentially beats you over the head with the countless Jewish stereotypes presented every time he appears on screen. Jewish last name? Check. Timid uncertainty of Woody Allen proportions? Check. Local business owner with tedious attention to detail of all things related to money? Double check. The comedy envelope is constantly pushed with each gag involving Mort. For every one that doesn’t land, there are ten more that leave you laughing uproariously due to its irreverent humor.
#6: Carter Pewterschmidt
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It’s a tale as old as time. Man and woman fall in love, woman’s wealthy parents don’t approve, the lovers run off and get married in spite of them. Mr. Pewterschmidt is the wealthy father of Lois Griffin and he’s never approved of her decision to be with Peter. He’s also comically out of touch with the world, leading him to make subtly racist and disrespectful remarks to most people he encounters. Perhaps we all know a guy who’s just similar enough to Carter that his character is especially well-liked by fans everywhere. His bouts of childishness also certainly help his case.
#5: Death
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What if the entity that carries out all terminations of earthly life were just a regular guy in a cool, hooded cloak? In the “Family Guy” universe, this is the case, and that’s how he manages to keep popping up in Quohog. For countless years we’ve been faced with the uncertainty of death, and oftentimes, laughing at the void is the healthiest and most rational response. His casual demeanor and frequent brushes with central characters may in fact be the best example of catharsis throughout the series and he’s typically game for an irreverent joke or two as well.
#4: Consuela
Okay, we’re awful people for loving this one so much, but Consuela’s over-the-top Hispanic housekeeper stereotype never seems to get old. She rarely manages to respond in the affirmative, and will more than likely be little help if you need to get information from her. She’s made appearances at Superman’s Fortress of Solitude and many Quahog households, not to mention Jabba the Hutt’s palace. When Consuela comes on screen, we’re surely guaranteed a clean place, a safe kitten, and plenty of belly laughs that we feel slightly guilty about if we’re being honest.
#3: Bruce
Perhaps the most often quoted character throughout the series, this middle-aged man was merely known as the “Oh No” guy for many years. So as you can imagine, Bruce never passes up an opportunity to express disbelief with his two favorite words. He also views the world in a slightly different way, leading to commentary that is equal parts extraneous and hilarious. One thing’s for certain: Bruce should try and avoid dramatic courtrooms, lest the Kool-Aid Man inflict major property damage as a direct result of Bruce’s rhetoric.
#2: Tom Tucker
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Channel 5 News has been a core part of the series since its very beginning, constantly delivering the news to all of Quahog. While there are several stand-outs, such as the succinct Ollie Williams, there’s no doubt that the true star is Tom. From the start, his deadpan way of delivering headlines has helped jumpstart countless episodes. While other characters started out normal and then became chaotic, he’s been like this since his debut. His inflated ego despite his middling fame has been the source of countless sidesplitting moments. He’s had several storylines centered around him; each one more wild than the last. With his constant dry comments during his newscasts, he’s not only become the town’s favorite reporter – he’s become ours, as well.
#1: Mayor Adam West
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This character is so inexplicable; we can’t even begin to understand the reasons behind his ridiculous actions. His dialogue is so stupid that only a genius could write it. Mayor West has married one of his hands, nearly conjured up Beetlejuice, and enjoys playing ding-dong ditch during his free time. It makes you wonder when he finds the time to actually be mayor of Quahog, and how the town isn’t on the brink of destruction from his absolute obliviousness to social norms. Hey, we’ve probably all encountered politicians worse than Mayor West, but none has come close to inducing his level of comedic gold. Oh, did we forget to mention? He’s also voiced by the REAL Adam West.
