Every decade offers its own pop culture icons that reflect the time period, but it’s hard to compete with the 1980s. Whether it’s music, movies, or television, the 1980s produced some of the most legendary pieces of work that are still enjoyed today. It was an era that saw groundbreaking ideas come to television, and with it, iconic characters who remain influential in modern programming.
There are countless characters that made watching television in the decade appointment viewing, but above all the rest, there are some unquestionable stars who take top honors. From a genius action adventurer to a furry funny man, these are the most iconic ‘80s TV characters. Ranked by how big they were on the small screen, the following characters are what viewers think of most when remembering ‘80s television.
10
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
‘The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ (1987–1996)
When four ordinary turtles are covered in a glowing ooze, they become the lean, green, toy-selling machines, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Since each turtle has their own unique defining qualities, such as acquiring a West Coast accent while living in New York City sewers, the brothers will have to settle for a four-way tie in the rankings. This shouldn’t be a problem, as they shared their battles, pizza, and domination of ’80s children’s entertainment equally.
Turtle mania was impossible to escape in the late ’80s, and even if you didn’t have a child begging for one of their toys, it was likely you knew all four of their classical artist-inspired names. The children’s cartoon, which was based on a comic book series by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, ran for a whopping 193 episodes of Turtle Power. The mega franchise was also turned into a series of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movies, a live stage show, and continued to produce new content under the Nickelodeon banner.
9
Arnold Jackson
‘Diff’rent Strokes’ (1978–1986)
The sitcom Diff’rent Strokes follows the hilarity that takes place when the wealthy Philip Drummond (Conrad Bain) adopts his recently deceased housekeeper’s sons, Arnold (Gary Coleman) and his older brother Willis (Todd Bridges). Viewers immediately fell in love with Arnold, whose sarcastic wit implied a wisdom and sense of humor beyond his years.
The ’80s were a simpler time of television, where one memorable catchphrase could will a sitcom into multiple seasons of the stars aligned. “What you talkin’ about Willis?” helped turn Coleman into a household name, and the precocious nature of Arnold resonated with audiences waiting to see what he would say next. Coleman’s popularity reached a peak when the actor received the highest honor in the ’80s: receiving a Saturday Morning cartoon called The Gary Coleman Show, which ran for 13 episodes.
8
Zack Morris
‘Saved by the Bell’ (1989–1992)
High school never looked as appealing as it did on the pre-teen sitcom Saved by the Bell. Following the lives of the students at Bayside High, audiences were treated to the thoughts and schemes of lead character Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) when he would frequently break the fourth wall to address the camera. Known for causing mischief that would usually land him and his friends in hot water with Principal Belding (Dennis Haskins), Zack was the coolest troublemaker on ‘80s TV.
The jury’s still out on whether Zack was a force of good or evil, but his charm was the fulcrum for Saved by the Bell’s success. There were many copycat teen comedies, but none could find their own version of Zack that could serve as a heartthrob and comedic foil in the same way. The character remains a favorite among kids of the ’80s who followed him to college in Saved by the Bell: The College Years and to public office in the 2020 reboot Saved by the Bell.
7
Jessica Fletcher
‘Murder, She Wrote’ (1984–1996)
Based on her success rate in solving murders, more people in the ’80s would have contacted Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) from Murder, She Wrote than the police. As a professional mystery writer, Jessica knew a thing or two about how to commit the perfect crime, but thankfully, she used her forces for good as an amateur detective. When someone committed a murder in her home in Cabot Cove, Maine, the only chance of getting away with it was for Jessica not to find out it had happened.
Murder, She Wrote was a massive success for CBS, and the mystery series lasted for 12 seasons of Jessica on the case. Jessica Fletcher is widely considered one of the best TV detectives of all time, and her thoughtful, analytical approach to crime solving appealed to viewers looking for an alternative to the male-driven detective shows that networks usually push. Demand for the character remained high, and Jessica returned to solve crimes in four TV movies after Murder, She Wrote wrapped up in 1996.
6
ALF
‘ALF’ (1986–1990)
This one might have required being alive in the 1980s to appreciate, but a puppet was one of the biggest TV stars thanks to the show ALF. An alien visitor from the planet Melmac, ALF, short for Alien Life Form, crashes into the Tanner family’s lives, literally, when he makes an emergency landing in their garage. The family soon warms to the odd, wisecracking alien, and they agree to keep him sheltered in their home while he looks for a way to fix his ship.
Created, operated, and voiced by Paul Fusco, ALF became an improbable sensation when he reached Earth. Along with the sitcom, ALF merchandise that included plush dolls and anything else possible could barely stay on shelves, and he starred in a Saturday morning cartoon as well. ALF would remain on the air for four seasons, but continues to pop up occasionally, such as his 2004 TV Land talk show named, wait for it, ALF’s Hit Talk Show.
5
Angus MacGyver
‘MacGyver’ (1985–1992)
They don’t make TV action stars like Angus MacGyver anymore. Played by Richard Dean Anderson on the popular series MacGyver, the genius secret agent knew a little bit about everything, and he used those tidbits of information to get himself out of many jams. His adventures made him an ’80s mainstay on television screens, with MacGyver lasting for seven seasons on ABC.
In a time period where muscles ruled, MacGyver impressed audiences with his brains, finding ingenious solutions to the dangers he faced. The badass action TV hero’s ingenuity became so well known that to “MacGyver something” became a verb used long after the show went off the air, with chances high someone used the term without ever seeing the show. A remake of the series in 2016 continued the legacy of the character, but for most, the only MacGyver they’ll accept is Anderson.
4
Thomas Magnum
‘Magnum P.I.’ (1980–1988)
Tom Selleck brought movie star charisma to the small screen when he played Thomas Magnum in Magnum P.I. An ex-Navy SEAL security specialist, Magnum now enjoys a life of luxury in Oahu, Hawaii, where he works as a private investigator. Using his Navy training and laid-back charm, Magnum solves cases and tries to have a good time doing it.
Magnum P.I. ran for the majority of the ’80s, accomplishing the rare task of retaining its popularity until the end of its abbreviated eighth season. The exotic locale was a draw for viewers, but the primary appeal of the show was Selleck’s strong but comedic performance as the investigator for hire. One of the rare characters who could appeal to every member of the household, Selleck established himself as a star with relatability and range.
3
Dorothy Zbornak
‘The Golden Girls’ (1985–1992)
Picking a favorite character from The Golden Girls is hard because their dynamic together is what makes the show. However, if only one can receive the nod, it would have to be the unofficial leader of the group, Dorothy (Bea Arthur). Often serving as the voice of reason to her friends, Dorothy’s sense of humor was so dry it threatened to crumble to dust.
Arthur was no stranger to sitcom success after her hit comedy ahead of its time, Maude, and she put her comic skills to good use as Dorothy. Possessing masterful timing, Arthur could stretch the laughs off a line before speaking one word, her perturbed reaction to something she’d heard priming an audience for an explosive reaction when she lobbed a barbed piece of sarcasm in someone’s direction. Despite her biting wit, Dorothy dearly loved her friends, making her a well-rounded character that fans loved.
2
Sam Malone
‘Cheers’ (1982–1993)
Ted Danson has enjoyed a long and successful career in television, but his most famous role will always be as Sam Malone on the classic ’80s sitcom, Cheers. Once a professional baseball player for the Boston Red Sox, Sam went on to own and run the bar Cheers, where he spends time with his friends and regulars. A known womanizer, Sam prides himself on his charm, but he usually finds himself more drawn to the women who find his bachelor tendencies repulsive.
Sam was the smiling face everyone wished they had behind their neighborhood bar, a welcoming figure, not daring to interrupt even if his patrons retold the same story for the 100th time. By giving Sam the backstory of being a recovering alcoholic, it made his relationship with the bar and his past carry more weight in episodes that touch on the darker times before viewers knew him. Sam’s effortless charm elevated his on-screen romances into the stuff of TV legend, and his on-again, off-again relationship with Diane (Shelley Long) would inspire countless imitators trying to recapture their magic.
1
J.R. Ewing
‘Dallas’ (1978–1991)
The biggest show of the ’80s was unquestionably the prime-time soap Dallas, and at the center of the plot twist-filled drama was its main villain, J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman). Full name John Ross Ewing Jr., J.R., was an oil magnate with a winning smile that hid the personality of a shark. If J.R. encountered any obstacle to making more money, regardless of whether it was a friend or family member, he would destroy their lives without a second thought.
There was no one on TV more amoral and untrustworthy than J.R., and he made sure to illustrate his lack of scruples in each new episode of Dallas. However, J.R. was more than a charismatic schemer; he defined a decade fascinated with the morally corrupt pursuit of excess. The love/hate relationship the audience had with J.R. didn’t go unnoticed by the networks, and his antagonistic presence inspired other antihero-led shows to follow.
