Top 10 TV Doctors

He’s quick-witted, sarcastic, and sometimes downright mean, which makes watching him that much more entertaining. While we do see him perform his medical duties, the highlights of this caustic character are his no-holds-barred behavior and narcissistic tendencies. His interactions with JD, which include constantly giving him “girls’” names, are a highlight of the series. We’re not saying we’d like to have him as our doctor, but we sure do like to watch him in action.

Dr. Shepherd was quickly deemed “McDreamy” by his female colleagues due to his good looks – and we can see why. His on-again, off-again relationship with Meredith Grey – in addition to his run-ins with Miranda Bailey, the show’s no-nonsense Attending General Surgeon – sure make for some entertaining drama. It doesn’t hurt that McDreamy is also a handsome, brilliant doctor; we like watching his bedside manner.

A clear spoof of the good-natured Dr. Huxtable from “The Cosby Show,” Dr. Hibbert has made special appearances on the series for more than two decades. His gentle chuckle and fairly calm demeanor tend to contrast greatly with the constant turmoil that occurs regularly in Springfield. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s all roses with Dr. Hibbert, since it hasn’t quite been confirmed that he even has a medical license.

He was a medical professional with a heart-of-gold, with a loveable curmudgeon for a guide and a slew of wacky patients. Based on films from the ‘30s and ‘40s, and a radio series from the ‘50s, the show centered on the relationship between Dr. Kildare and his mentor, Dr. Leonard Gillespie, and how they navigated their roles at Blair General. Viewers watch as Kildare transitions from clueless intern to capable physician, and it’s a classic.

Audiences were first introduced to pompous psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane through the character’s appearances in “Cheers;” but he eventually landed a spin-off that lasted for over a decade and moved him from Boston to Seattle. A student of Sigmund Freud, Frasier is often seen quoting his hero. Able to provide answers to a plethora of peculiar problems from the comfort of his radio show, Dr. Crane has less luck solving his own issues.

Referred to on the series as “Bones;” Dr. McCoy serves as chief medical officer on the Starship Enterprise under James T. Kirk. He’s opinionated but not brass; wise but not boring, and he has a love-hate relationship with Spock that pits Captain Kirk in the middle of a bromance triangle. Bones was a central figure in the show’s themes, often running as the emotional counter to Spock’s detached rationale and logic.

Benjamin Franklin Pierce, also known as “Hawkeye,” was the main character in the series, providing the bulk of the storylines, as well as much of the show’s comedic genius. He always seems to be up for a good time, even though they’re in the middle of a war. But a little death and destruction never stood in the way between him and an attractive nurse. However, when necessary he is one helluva surgeon.

Considered by many to be the original Dr. McDreamy, this is the role that launched George Clooney into super-stardom. One look at his turn as the tenderhearted, but rebellious pediatrician and you can see why. Plus, everyone loves a bad boy. But a bad boy doctor who loves children, while also being a womanizer and a serial dater is a recipe for obsessed viewers.

Watching this show gave lots of preteens inferiority complexes. Inspired to go into medicine after his father’s expertise saved him from two bouts with leukemia, this child prodigy was obtaining his medical license while most kids were struggling with growth spurts and nocturnal emissions. To add insult to injury, he worked as a surgeon while most teens were still trying to get to homeroom on time. Watching his exploits came with some envy, but also respect and admiration.

- Dr. Michaela Quinn “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” (1993-98)
- Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable “The Cosby Show” (1984-92)
- Jack Shephard “Lost” (2004-10)
- Drs. Sean McNamara & Christian Troy “Nip/Tuck” (2003-10)
- Dr. Leo Spaceman “30 Rock” (2006-13)

He’s the be-all, end-all of caustic medical geniuses. As Head of Diagnostic Medicine at New Jersey’s Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, House is oftentimes bested by his own brilliance – plus he suffers from an almost perpetually unpleasant personality. It’s not that he doesn’t care, because he probably actually doesn’t – it’s that he needs to be right. His desire to properly diagnose a case is less about saving lives than it is about him being on top of his game.

Do you agree with our list? Who’s your favorite TV doctor? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.