Unlikely Showstoppers
Movies and TV shows rely on star power to pull in viewers. Often, projects are built around a well-known name or a character designed to be the show's heart and soul. Sometimes, however, a character emerges from the background and takes on a life of its own. Although at times disconcerting for the project's star, a breakout character can often ensure success—as was the case with these unforgettable side characters.
Stephen Warren In Django Unchained
Samuel L. Jackson, as Stephen Warren, only briefly appears in Django Unchained but his performance is magnetic. Becoming a popular reference in the world of memes and social media, the Stephen Warren character lived much larger online than on the big screen. And this isn't the only time a Quentin Tarantino side character stole the show.
Columbia, Django Unchained (2012)
Hans Landa In Inglorious Basterds
Sometimes the villain, even a Nazi villain, is played so well that the character stands out, even in a movie packed with great performances. Christoph Waltz plays Hans Landa in Inglorious Basterds as a character who is evil but still compelling, winning him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. This wasn't the only time Waltz managed to stand out (and win an Oscar) in a Tarantino film.
Universal, Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Dr. King Schultz In Django Unchained
Christoph Waltz's Dr. King Schultz, a German dentist-turned-bounty-hunter, shines as a character who is in turns, charismatic, moral, and hilarious. The performance and the fans' love of the character ensured a long life online and it won Waltz his second Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Columbia, Django Unchained (2012)
Mona Lisa Vito In My Cousin Vinny
Speaking of wins, Marisa Tomei won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for My Cousin Vinny and the reason is clear: Her comic performance transcends the usual Academy bias against comedies. Tomei's Mona Lisa Vito is funny and beautiful but also smart and dynamic, making her an irresistible screen presence.
Twentieth Century, My Cousin Vinny (1992)
Dean Craig Pelton In Community
A recurring character at the beginning of the series' six-year run, Jim Rash as the Dean of Greendale Community College in Community quickly established his presence in the ensemble cast. Even when he only has a brief walk-on, Rash nails the scene, with iconic performances that live on in memes and social media.
Frank Constanza In Seinfeld
Only mentioned by name in early episodes, Jerry Stiller's Frank Constanza soon became a key recurring character, not only as George's loud, obnoxious father but as a comedic partner to Kramer. With his famous rage and inventive mind, Frank Constanza quickly became an important component to the show.
Ron Swanson In Parks and Recreation
Ron Swanson, the Libertarian, government-hating head of Pawnee's Parks and Recreation department was not meant to be more than a sounding board and contrast to main character Leslie Knope. Nick Offerman's star-making turn as Swanson made this taciturn traditionalist into the much-loved heart of the show and a father-figure to Knope, despite his best efforts.
NBC, Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)
Dwight Schrute In The Office
Sometimes a strong supporting character becomes essentially a co-lead, and Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute in The Office fits that description. He more than holds his own again the immensely quotable Michael Scott, creating a character that lives on in memes and social media posts.
Joker In The Dark Knight
In a movie about Batman, Heath Ledger's legendary turn as the Joker quickly becomes the focus. The Joker is perhaps the biggest villain in the franchise, but he’s not meant to be the main character. As good as Christian Bale is as Batman, this was Ledger's film.
Warner Bros., The Dark Knight (2008)
Miles In The Holiday
Although The Holiday centers on the two female leads, played by Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, as one of the love interests, steals the show. Black plays against his usual high-strung physical comedy with a performance that emphasises his ability to play gentler and more sympathetic roles.
Princess Carolyn In BoJack Horseman
Princess Carolyn may not be the main character in the animated series BoJack Horseman but Amy Sedaris steals every scene with her distinct delivery. Her unique voice works well in animation, managing to be funny and touching at the same time.
Netflix, BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)
Rafi In The League
Rafi is far from being a main cast member of The League. Jason Manzoukis plays Rafi, an unhinged character who shows up occassionally to create chaos. An audience favorite even with so little screentime, Manzoukis makes the most of the role.
M’Baku In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
With the heartbreaking passing of Chadwick Boseman in 2020, it seemed that the potential Black Panther franchise was doomed. With his formidable physicality and comedic timing, Winston Duke as M’Baku went a long way to make up for that loss. In both Black Panther and its sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Duke creates a character whose presence comforts audiences that feel the sad absence of T’Challa.
Marvel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Sandy Lyle In Along Came Polly
This is a Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston vehicle but with all due respect to them, it's Philip Seymour Hoffman who steals every scene. The late Hoffman was known for his dramatic works but he’s comically entertaining in Along Came Polly, playing a former child actor who can't quite let go of his past success.
Universal, Along Came Polly (2004)
Barney Stinson In How I Met Your Mother
Neil Patrick Harris is not the star of How I Met Your Mother but as the unique and quirky Barney, Harris kills it in every scene. The long-running series would be a very different show without Harris.
CBS, How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)
Jake’s Mother In I’m Thinking of Ending Things
Toni Collette is one of those performers who is seemingly in everything and whenever she's onscreen, she steals the spotlight. Her role in I’m Thinking of Ending Things is small but it’s just as memorable as her higher profile turns in The Sixth Sense and Hereditary.
Netflix, I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)
Walter Sobchak In The Big Lebowski
John Goodman is the kind of actor whose big presence makes an impact in every scene. In The Big Lebowski, John Goodman is always the best character onscreen. Whether on the big screen or small, he adds a certain charm to all his projects.
Working Title, The Big Lebowski (1998)
Nigel In The Devil Wears Prada
Who doesn't love Stanley Tucci? Easily one of the most beloved actors around, he's memorable in every performance. His turn as Nigel in The Devil Wears Prada is a standout performance—no mean feat next to the likes of Meryl Streep.
Twentieth Century, The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Marianne Bryant In Easy A
Speaking of Stanley Tucci, he's just one of the many memorable stars of Easy A, which makes it all the more remarkable that the scene-stealer here is Amanda Bynes. Her character is wildly funny, and everything from her facial expressions to her mannerisms is entertaining, even up against such talents as Tucci and Patricia Clarkson.
Street Urchin’s Mother In Broad City
It's Patricia Clarkson who gives a memorable performance in just one episode of Broad City. As a mother of a 40-year-old emo kid still living at home, her performance manages to be both funny but also more than a bit depressing.
Comedy Central, Broad City (2014-2019)
Captain Jack Sparrow In Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean was supposed to be about Will and Elizabeth. With his Keith Richards-inspired turn as Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp stole the show and became the main focus for the entire franchise.
Walt Disney, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Megan In Bridesmaids
Melissa McCarthy is one of the best comedians around, and whether she's hosting Saturday Night Live or performing in any number of TV series and films, she dominates every scene she is in. Her performance in Bridesmaids is perhaps her most memorable scene-stealing character. A character who is crude and loveable at the same time, McCarthy transforms what could have been a throwaway sight gag role into something much more.
Alan In The Hangover
In parallel to McCarthy's Megan, Alan in The Hangover is the odd and off-putting, yet still somehow likeable, soul of the movie. While Bradley Cooper is the star, Zak Galifianakis' Alan is the ultimate scene-stealer, someone we laugh at but quickly become sympathetic towards, warming to his awkward position as a brother-in-law-to-be and the family oddball.
Legendary, The Hangover (2009)
Mark Hanna In The Wolf of Wall Street
Matthew McConaughey's charm infuses all his performances and although it was a small side role in The Wolf of Wall Street, his Mark Hanna is unforgettable. Both intense and unhinged, McConaughey makes the character come to life.
Universal, The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Jacob Palmer In Crazy, Stupid, Love
Is it possible to swipe the spotlight from Steve Carell? Apparently it is, as Ryan Gosling proves in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Funny and charming throughout, Gosling holds his own against the likes of Carell and Emma Stone, dominating his scenes with ease.
Warner Bros., Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Desmond Hume In Lost
Lost is known for both its complex, sometimes impenetrable mysteries and its large cast. Standing out in such a setting is no easy task, but Henry Ian Cusick’s portrayal of Desmond gives a memorable performance. Despite his relatively short screentime, Cusick makes the most of it with a complex and fascinating character.
Kitty Foreman In That ’70s Show
Debra Jo Rupp, as Kitty Foreman in That ’70s Show, is the ultimate 1970s mother to Eric and Laurie. Insane and funny in every scene, she delivers an energetic and tireless performance and manages to portray Kitty as a real mother, not a punchline.
FOX, That '70s Show (1998-2006)
Love Quinn In You
As Love Quinn in the second and third seasons of You, Victoria Pedretti's character doesn’t last, but her performance is wonderful. In a long line of Joe’s lovers, she is easily one of the most captivating.
Roy Schlieffen In Palm Springs
J.K. Simmons is very often the best thing in any project he's in. In Palm Springs, playing a man who is pulled into a time loop by Andy Samberg’s character, he continuously seeks violent revenge. Simmons is funny and angry in equal turns.
Lonely Island, Palm Springs (2020)
J.D. In Thelma & Louise
A mostly unknown Brad Pitt appeared in Thelma & Louise as a cowboy named J.D. It was a small role, but it was enough to show what the future held for Pitt. His appearance in the film is brief, but audiences fell in love with him the minute he appeared onscreen.
Jay And Silent Bob In Clerks
A fixture in most of Kevin Smith's films, it's easy to say that Jay and Silent Bob steal the show in all of them. In Clerks, the template was created, with Jay and Silent Bob instantly became fan favorites.
Crazy Eyes In Orange Is the New Black
A one-off and one-note character, Crazy Eyes managed to develop over three seasons into someone who is perhaps the heart of the show. Brilliantly played by Uzo Aduba, Crazy Eyes quickly became a fan favorite and captured the spotlight in every scene.
Netflix, Orange Is the New Black (2013-2019)
Blake In Glengarry Glenn Ross
One of the more famous small roles to capture the spotlight wasn't even in the original play the film was adapted from. In a role created specifically for him, Alec Baldwin is only onscreen for less than eight minutes. With that limited time, Baldwin is the possibly the most memorable character in a film packed with memorable characters, especially when he speaks the line "Always be closing" during his brutal "motivational" speech.
New Line, Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
Daryl Dixon In The Walking Dead
The focus of The Walking Dead was Sheriff Rick Grimes and his family. An ever-changing ensemble cast—mostly offed by zombies—were there to support the main family. One character who quickly stood out was the red-neck Daryl Dixon, a loner who nevertheless becomes a crucial element to the core group and an unequalled fan favorite.
AMC, The Walking Dead (2010-2022)
Samantha In Sex And The City
A vehicle for Sarah Jessica Parker, it was the Samantha character, portrayed by Kim Cattrall, who embodied the carefree lifestyle that Sex And The City celebrated. With a worldliness the others lacked, Samantha was usually up for anything and did it all with humor and sexiness.
