the 1970s saw many unforgettable TV characters many of whom influenced the
characters many of whom influenced the
characters many of whom influenced the medium for years to come welcome to
medium for years to come welcome to
medium for years to come welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 memorable
down our picks for the top 10 memorable
down our picks for the top 10 memorable TV characters of the 1970s for our
TV characters of the 1970s for our
TV characters of the 1970s for our series on the top 10 memorable TV
series on the top 10 memorable TV
series on the top 10 memorable TV characters per decade we’re looking at
characters per decade we’re looking at
characters per decade we’re looking at those characters that were critically
those characters that were critically
those characters that were critically and culturally significant and became
and culturally significant and became
and culturally significant and became synonymous with 70s TV culture this your
synonymous with 70s TV culture this your
synonymous with 70s TV culture this your first time on The Love Boat
to make the list the shows had to have
to make the list the shows had to have started in 1969 or later as the
started in 1969 or later as the
started in 1969 or later as the characters in question would have made
characters in question would have made
characters in question would have made their impact in the 1970s also the
their impact in the 1970s also the
their impact in the 1970s also the characters must be live-action so you
characters must be live-action so you
characters must be live-action so you won’t be seeing any cartoons or puppets
won’t be seeing any cartoons or puppets
won’t be seeing any cartoons or puppets we’re talking to you Kermit the Frog
basil the owner of the titular Hotel in
basil the owner of the titular Hotel in Torquay England is rude pessimistic and
Torquay England is rude pessimistic and
Torquay England is rude pessimistic and generally not a very nice person but we
generally not a very nice person but we
generally not a very nice person but we love him all the more for it basil often
love him all the more for it basil often
love him all the more for it basil often aspires to be of a higher class than the
aspires to be of a higher class than the
aspires to be of a higher class than the one to which he actually belongs which
one to which he actually belongs which
one to which he actually belongs which often results in hilarious interactions
often results in hilarious interactions
often results in hilarious interactions with his guests he’s also constantly
with his guests he’s also constantly
with his guests he’s also constantly overstepping his bounds making for some
overstepping his bounds making for some
overstepping his bounds making for some truly cringe-worthy moments
[Applause]
[Applause] one of England’s most iconic comedy
one of England’s most iconic comedy
one of England’s most iconic comedy characters John Cleese’s Basil has
characters John Cleese’s Basil has
characters John Cleese’s Basil has earned that distinction despite the fact
earned that distinction despite the fact
earned that distinction despite the fact that only twelve episodes of Fawlty
that only twelve episodes of Fawlty
that only twelve episodes of Fawlty Towers were made proving his value and
Towers were made proving his value and
Towers were made proving his value and importance to the television medium
number nine Captain Benjamin Franklin
number nine Captain Benjamin Franklin Hawkeye Pierce mash what do you think
Hawkeye Pierce mash what do you think
Hawkeye Pierce mash what do you think this star means you’re Tinker Bell one
this star means you’re Tinker Bell one
this star means you’re Tinker Bell one of the funniest and most tragic figures
of the funniest and most tragic figures
of the funniest and most tragic figures on this famous wartime comedy-drama
on this famous wartime comedy-drama
on this famous wartime comedy-drama Hawkeye is hilarious but also deeply
Hawkeye is hilarious but also deeply
Hawkeye is hilarious but also deeply human
human
human there’s nothing here I’m gonna miss
except you as chief surgeon of an army
except you as chief surgeon of an army unit in the Korean War it’s only natural
unit in the Korean War it’s only natural
unit in the Korean War it’s only natural that the traumatic events affect Hawkeye
that the traumatic events affect Hawkeye
that the traumatic events affect Hawkeye a truth that is perhaps best seen in the
a truth that is perhaps best seen in the
a truth that is perhaps best seen in the show’s highly watched finale when he
show’s highly watched finale when he
show’s highly watched finale when he suffers a mental breakdown but while
suffers a mental breakdown but while
suffers a mental breakdown but while Hawkeye may provide the saddest moments
Hawkeye may provide the saddest moments
Hawkeye may provide the saddest moments of the show he also gives us some of its
of the show he also gives us some of its
of the show he also gives us some of its biggest laughs as he often makes the
biggest laughs as he often makes the
biggest laughs as he often makes the best of his situation by pulling pranks
best of his situation by pulling pranks
best of his situation by pulling pranks and making wisecracks I’ve eaten so much
and making wisecracks I’ve eaten so much
and making wisecracks I’ve eaten so much fish I’m ready to grow gills I’ve eaten
fish I’m ready to grow gills I’ve eaten
fish I’m ready to grow gills I’ve eaten so much liver I can only make love if
so much liver I can only make love if
so much liver I can only make love if I’m smarter than bacon and onions this
I’m smarter than bacon and onions this
I’m smarter than bacon and onions this combination makes him one of the most
combination makes him one of the most
combination makes him one of the most unique and memorable characters in
unique and memorable characters in
unique and memorable characters in television history
number eight Arnold Jackson different
number eight Arnold Jackson different strokes downtown to Manson already with
strokes downtown to Manson already with
strokes downtown to Manson already with June Arnold Jackson proved to be the
June Arnold Jackson proved to be the
June Arnold Jackson proved to be the breakout character on the famous sitcom
breakout character on the famous sitcom
breakout character on the famous sitcom Diff’rent Strokes which shot actor Gary
Diff’rent Strokes which shot actor Gary
Diff’rent Strokes which shot actor Gary Coleman into superstardom I’ve never
Coleman into superstardom I’ve never
Coleman into superstardom I’ve never seen a black goldfish before that’s okay
seen a black goldfish before that’s okay
seen a black goldfish before that’s okay he never saw a rich white man before me
he never saw a rich white man before me
he never saw a rich white man before me the youngest child and main character of
the youngest child and main character of
the youngest child and main character of the series Arnold often acts selfish or
the series Arnold often acts selfish or
the series Arnold often acts selfish or devises schemes to get what he wants by
devises schemes to get what he wants by
devises schemes to get what he wants by the end of the episode of course I’m
the end of the episode of course I’m
the end of the episode of course I’m gonna put my fish Abraham in this whale
gonna put my fish Abraham in this whale
gonna put my fish Abraham in this whale and peeing is bold
and peeing is bold
and peeing is bold ah I see you expect me to believe that
which you’d think would get annoying but
which you’d think would get annoying but nope nope his outrageous plans and
nope nope his outrageous plans and
nope nope his outrageous plans and selfish attitude are always
selfish attitude are always
selfish attitude are always side-splitting
side-splitting
side-splitting his catchphrase would you John Louis has
his catchphrase would you John Louis has
his catchphrase would you John Louis has even entered into the pop-culture Canon
even entered into the pop-culture Canon
even entered into the pop-culture Canon becoming one of the most famous lines in
becoming one of the most famous lines in
becoming one of the most famous lines in any sitcom and cementing Arnold’s place
any sitcom and cementing Arnold’s place
any sitcom and cementing Arnold’s place in TV history
[Music]
[Music] number seven Mary Richards The Mary
number seven Mary Richards The Mary
number seven Mary Richards The Mary Tyler Moore Show I’m very sorry I
Tyler Moore Show I’m very sorry I
Tyler Moore Show I’m very sorry I troubled you you went over the better
troubled you you went over the better
troubled you you went over the better part of the entire decade Mary Tyler
part of the entire decade Mary Tyler
part of the entire decade Mary Tyler Moore made headlines across the country
Moore made headlines across the country
Moore made headlines across the country as Mary Richards a news producer at a
as Mary Richards a news producer at a
as Mary Richards a news producer at a sagging Minneapolis TV station oh just
sagging Minneapolis TV station oh just
sagging Minneapolis TV station oh just wonderful so she won three Emmy Awards
wonderful so she won three Emmy Awards
wonderful so she won three Emmy Awards during her stint becoming a star and
during her stint becoming a star and
during her stint becoming a star and solidifying her already established name
solidifying her already established name
solidifying her already established name as one of the greatest actresses working
as one of the greatest actresses working
as one of the greatest actresses working in television Mary was both charismatic
in television Mary was both charismatic
in television Mary was both charismatic and flawed creating a fully developed
and flawed creating a fully developed
and flawed creating a fully developed character during the shows run and one
character during the shows run and one
character during the shows run and one of TV’s most iconic females and then I
of TV’s most iconic females and then I
of TV’s most iconic females and then I bet they asked you uh what gave you the
bet they asked you uh what gave you the
bet they asked you uh what gave you the idea to write of yeah it named questions
idea to write of yeah it named questions
idea to write of yeah it named questions like well that takes care of the first
like well that takes care of the first
like well that takes care of the first two questions I was going to ask
two questions I was going to ask
two questions I was going to ask she was one of if not the first strong
she was one of if not the first strong
she was one of if not the first strong independent career woman of television
independent career woman of television
independent career woman of television and her place in TV history is stronger
and her place in TV history is stronger
and her place in TV history is stronger because of it thank you for being my
number six jr ewing dallas are you
number six jr ewing dallas are you putting me in your chair daddy sure
putting me in your chair daddy sure
putting me in your chair daddy sure that’s fine just keep it that way but I
that’s fine just keep it that way but I
that’s fine just keep it that way but I got more than one son and nobody says
got more than one son and nobody says
got more than one son and nobody says you’ve got to run things alone
you’ve got to run things alone
you’ve got to run things alone considered one of TV’s most iconic
considered one of TV’s most iconic
considered one of TV’s most iconic characters JR was the breakout star of
characters JR was the breakout star of
characters JR was the breakout star of the popular show Dallas and became not
the popular show Dallas and became not
the popular show Dallas and became not only a central figure but also a central
only a central figure but also a central
only a central figure but also a central bad guy we still own 25% of those leases
bad guy we still own 25% of those leases
bad guy we still own 25% of those leases we lost two hundred and fifty million
we lost two hundred and fifty million
we lost two hundred and fifty million dollars not to mention our royalties on
dollars not to mention our royalties on
dollars not to mention our royalties on your share as head of the Ewing clan he
your share as head of the Ewing clan he
your share as head of the Ewing clan he was a wealthy often egocentric and
was a wealthy often egocentric and
was a wealthy often egocentric and usually self-serving oil tycoon who’s a
usually self-serving oil tycoon who’s a
usually self-serving oil tycoon who’s a moral choices resulted in some of the
moral choices resulted in some of the
moral choices resulted in some of the show’s most famous stories one of the
show’s most famous stories one of the
show’s most famous stories one of the most well known storylines in TV history
most well known storylines in TV history
most well known storylines in TV history dealt with the shooting of jr. by an
dealt with the shooting of jr. by an
dealt with the shooting of jr. by an unknown assailant a cliffhanger that
unknown assailant a cliffhanger that
unknown assailant a cliffhanger that became a pop-culture phenomenon despite
became a pop-culture phenomenon despite
became a pop-culture phenomenon despite his many many flaws he was still one of
his many many flaws he was still one of
his many many flaws he was still one of televisions most beloved characters
televisions most beloved characters
televisions most beloved characters proving that audiences love a good
proving that audiences love a good
proving that audiences love a good villain or at least love to hate him
villain or at least love to hate him
villain or at least love to hate him count on it you know I would number five
count on it you know I would number five
count on it you know I would number five Jack Tripper
Jack Tripper
Jack Tripper Three’s Company yeah when do we take off
Three’s Company yeah when do we take off
Three’s Company yeah when do we take off you just did you’re flying played by the
you just did you’re flying played by the
you just did you’re flying played by the late great John Ritter Jack Tripper was
late great John Ritter Jack Tripper was
late great John Ritter Jack Tripper was the third in TVs most memorable
the third in TVs most memorable
the third in TVs most memorable threesome of roommate’s as well as one
threesome of roommate’s as well as one
threesome of roommate’s as well as one of the goofiest characters on television
of the goofiest characters on television
of the goofiest characters on television at the time much of Jack’s humor derived
at the time much of Jack’s humor derived
at the time much of Jack’s humor derived from his clumsiness as he’s often
from his clumsiness as he’s often
from his clumsiness as he’s often bumping into things falling over things
bumping into things falling over things
bumping into things falling over things and just generally providing the
and just generally providing the
and just generally providing the physical comedy
physical comedy
physical comedy he also pretends to be gay when his
he also pretends to be gay when his
he also pretends to be gay when his landlord is around what are you doing
landlord is around what are you doing
landlord is around what are you doing I’m loosening up my wrists
I’m loosening up my wrists
I’m loosening up my wrists I didn’t know you guys had a practice
I didn’t know you guys had a practice
I didn’t know you guys had a practice which not only brought the show some of
which not only brought the show some of
which not only brought the show some of its most laugh-out-loud moments but also
its most laugh-out-loud moments but also
its most laugh-out-loud moments but also served as a political statement about
served as a political statement about
served as a political statement about straight people and homosexuals in the
straight people and homosexuals in the
straight people and homosexuals in the 70s I don’t approve of what you stand
70s I don’t approve of what you stand
70s I don’t approve of what you stand but in my book you’re okay ever the
but in my book you’re okay ever the
but in my book you’re okay ever the sweet man Jack was always good for a
sweet man Jack was always good for a
sweet man Jack was always good for a laugh hey I’d help you out if you needed
laugh hey I’d help you out if you needed
laugh hey I’d help you out if you needed me for anything you would of course I
me for anything you would of course I
me for anything you would of course I would okay let me tell you what I need
would okay let me tell you what I need
would okay let me tell you what I need you for number four George Jefferson The
you for number four George Jefferson The
you for number four George Jefferson The Jeffersons hold it down we are the
Jeffersons hold it down we are the
Jeffersons hold it down we are the Jefferson’s owner of several dry
Jefferson’s owner of several dry
Jefferson’s owner of several dry cleaning stores in the Big Apple George
cleaning stores in the Big Apple George
cleaning stores in the Big Apple George and his wife Louise lovingly referred to
and his wife Louise lovingly referred to
and his wife Louise lovingly referred to by her husband as Weezy were originally
by her husband as Weezy were originally
by her husband as Weezy were originally characters on all in the family before
characters on all in the family before
characters on all in the family before they moved on up to their own spin-off
they moved on up to their own spin-off
they moved on up to their own spin-off series my way you got to remember I had
series my way you got to remember I had
series my way you got to remember I had to claw and scratch my way up the ladder
to claw and scratch my way up the ladder
to claw and scratch my way up the ladder there he goes again while George was
there he goes again while George was
there he goes again while George was amusing as a character himself he also
amusing as a character himself he also
amusing as a character himself he also acted as a vessel for political
acted as a vessel for political
acted as a vessel for political statements about African Americans in
statements about African Americans in
statements about African Americans in 1970s America a man whose genuinely
1970s America a man whose genuinely
1970s America a man whose genuinely interested in helping the black
interested in helping the black
interested in helping the black community again more racism was at times
community again more racism was at times
community again more racism was at times one of the show’s main topics with some
one of the show’s main topics with some
one of the show’s main topics with some earlier episodes even going so far as to
earlier episodes even going so far as to
earlier episodes even going so far as to include now taboo racial slurs you know
include now taboo racial slurs you know
include now taboo racial slurs you know damn well what it means if you ever
damn well what it means if you ever
damn well what it means if you ever really started going to one another
really started going to one another
really started going to one another inside of five minutes he’d be calling
inside of five minutes he’d be calling
inside of five minutes he’d be calling young say it was an ambitious
young say it was an ambitious
young say it was an ambitious undertaking but thanks to George’s
undertaking but thanks to George’s
undertaking but thanks to George’s affable demeanor he provided television
affable demeanor he provided television
affable demeanor he provided television with a revolutionary and unforgettable
with a revolutionary and unforgettable
with a revolutionary and unforgettable character and helped usher in a decade
character and helped usher in a decade
character and helped usher in a decade of progress for african-americans that
of progress for african-americans that
of progress for african-americans that dumb landlord is giving us a bad time
dumb landlord is giving us a bad time
dumb landlord is giving us a bad time and we’re gonna do something about it
and we’re gonna do something about it
and we’re gonna do something about it right
right
right [Music]
[Music]
[Music] number three
number three
number three Fred G Sanford Sanford and Son Fred
Fred G Sanford Sanford and Son Fred
Fred G Sanford Sanford and Son Fred Sanford is perhaps one of the grouchiest
Sanford is perhaps one of the grouchiest
Sanford is perhaps one of the grouchiest men in all of television but he’s all
men in all of television but he’s all
men in all of television but he’s all the more memorable for it
the more memorable for it
the more memorable for it Sir Walter won’t you at least hear me
Sir Walter won’t you at least hear me
Sir Walter won’t you at least hear me out if you do you’re talking while
out if you do you’re talking while
out if you do you’re talking while you’re walking back with an attitude
you’re walking back with an attitude
you’re walking back with an attitude that’s borderline despicable and
that’s borderline despicable and
that’s borderline despicable and definitely sarcastic this cantankerous
definitely sarcastic this cantankerous
definitely sarcastic this cantankerous widower makes it his life’s work to
widower makes it his life’s work to
widower makes it his life’s work to crush his son Lamont’s dreams in order
crush his son Lamont’s dreams in order
crush his son Lamont’s dreams in order to keep him in the family junkyard biz
to keep him in the family junkyard biz
to keep him in the family junkyard biz even going so far as to fake an illness
even going so far as to fake an illness
even going so far as to fake an illness to guilt him into staying home he can
to guilt him into staying home he can
to guilt him into staying home he can also be incredibly racist specifically
also be incredibly racist specifically
also be incredibly racist specifically towards his Puerto Rican neighbor and
towards his Puerto Rican neighbor and
towards his Puerto Rican neighbor and his son’s Asian friend hey Junior you
his son’s Asian friend hey Junior you
his son’s Asian friend hey Junior you and L Gandhi
and L Gandhi
and L Gandhi [Music]
[Music]
[Music] that being said his attitude makes him
that being said his attitude makes him
that being said his attitude makes him who he is
who he is
who he is and he became one of the most unique and
and he became one of the most unique and
and he became one of the most unique and popular characters on television because
popular characters on television because
popular characters on television because of it
of it
of it [Applause]
number two Archie Bunker all in the
number two Archie Bunker all in the family originally intended to be a
family originally intended to be a
family originally intended to be a strongly disliked character by audiences
strongly disliked character by audiences
strongly disliked character by audiences Archie Bunker husband of Edith’s father
Archie Bunker husband of Edith’s father
Archie Bunker husband of Edith’s father of Gloria and father-in-law to meathead
of Gloria and father-in-law to meathead
of Gloria and father-in-law to meathead soon became a breakout TV star and an
soon became a breakout TV star and an
soon became a breakout TV star and an American cultural icon
his extreme often intolerant views
his extreme often intolerant views including his stances on race and sex
including his stances on race and sex
including his stances on race and sex wonderful well let’s see how wonderful
wonderful well let’s see how wonderful
wonderful well let’s see how wonderful it is what a watermelon rinds come
it is what a watermelon rinds come
it is what a watermelon rinds come flying up away were intended to be a
flying up away were intended to be a
flying up away were intended to be a parody of right-wing conservatism but
parody of right-wing conservatism but
parody of right-wing conservatism but instead became a hit with American
instead became a hit with American
instead became a hit with American audiences go figure
his influence spread far beyond the
his influence spread far beyond the screen however to real-world politics
screen however to real-world politics
screen however to real-world politics with the term Archie Bunker vote being
with the term Archie Bunker vote being
with the term Archie Bunker vote being coined to refer to Caucasian blue-collar
coined to refer to Caucasian blue-collar
coined to refer to Caucasian blue-collar male voters his famed armchair is even
male voters his famed armchair is even
male voters his famed armchair is even in the National Museum of American
in the National Museum of American
in the National Museum of American history to call Archie Bunker a cultural
history to call Archie Bunker a cultural
history to call Archie Bunker a cultural icon is putting it mildly now on three
icon is putting it mildly now on three
icon is putting it mildly now on three ok one two three
before we look at our most memorable
before we look at our most memorable character here are a few honorable
character here are a few honorable
character here are a few honorable mentions you my dear are prettier than
mentions you my dear are prettier than
mentions you my dear are prettier than flowers
flowers
flowers sweeter than the cake more advertising
sweeter than the cake more advertising
sweeter than the cake more advertising than the hors d’oeuvres and more
than the hors d’oeuvres and more
than the hors d’oeuvres and more sparkling than the silhouette Syria our
sparkling than the silhouette Syria our
sparkling than the silhouette Syria our guests are arriving on time to the
guests are arriving on time to the
guests are arriving on time to the second hey always and your without like
second hey always and your without like
second hey always and your without like a miracle my dear tattoo when each guest
a miracle my dear tattoo when each guest
a miracle my dear tattoo when each guest is paying fifty thousand dollars for a
is paying fifty thousand dollars for a
is paying fifty thousand dollars for a three-day stay on Fantasy Island he or
three-day stay on Fantasy Island he or
three-day stay on Fantasy Island he or she deserves miracle calls me to see a
she deserves miracle calls me to see a
she deserves miracle calls me to see a labor and binkies dresses on those two
labor and binkies dresses on those two
labor and binkies dresses on those two people people huh
people people huh
people people huh sit I’ll show you people come on Cheryl
sit I’ll show you people come on Cheryl
sit I’ll show you people come on Cheryl you know lady make up more class in my
you know lady make up more class in my
you know lady make up more class in my little pinky than you have in your whole
little pinky than you have in your whole
little pinky than you have in your whole thumb you’ll be at Mindy’s place
thumb you’ll be at Mindy’s place
thumb you’ll be at Mindy’s place yes we’re living together catch you
yes we’re living together catch you
yes we’re living together catch you later Jack on the rebound clown
number one Arthur Fonzie Fonzarelli
number one Arthur Fonzie Fonzarelli happy days I can fix anything that
happy days I can fix anything that
happy days I can fix anything that starts with a key and goes considered
starts with a key and goes considered
starts with a key and goes considered the coolest cat on television possibly
the coolest cat on television possibly
the coolest cat on television possibly ever Fonzie was originally written as a
ever Fonzie was originally written as a
ever Fonzie was originally written as a minor character before enthusiastic fan
minor character before enthusiastic fan
minor character before enthusiastic fan reception bumped him up to a starring
reception bumped him up to a starring
reception bumped him up to a starring role as if enough fingers dipped in
role as if enough fingers dipped in
role as if enough fingers dipped in paint complete with his leather jacket
paint complete with his leather jacket
paint complete with his leather jacket smokes sleek hair and womanizing triples
smokes sleek hair and womanizing triples
smokes sleek hair and womanizing triples Fonzie quickly became TV’s signature
Fonzie quickly became TV’s signature
Fonzie quickly became TV’s signature cool guy and a pop-culture sensation his
cool guy and a pop-culture sensation his
cool guy and a pop-culture sensation his trademark catchphrase is still known
trademark catchphrase is still known
trademark catchphrase is still known today as is his famous Fonzie touch
today as is his famous Fonzie touch
today as is his famous Fonzie touch memorable enough to merit a statue in
memorable enough to merit a statue in
memorable enough to merit a statue in his likeness that presides over
his likeness that presides over
his likeness that presides over Milwaukee Fonzie was not only a popular
Milwaukee Fonzie was not only a popular
Milwaukee Fonzie was not only a popular TV character but also a significant
TV character but also a significant
TV character but also a significant cultural icon let me tell you something
America’s favorite pastime
America’s favorite pastime and if you don’t like it you can sit on
and if you don’t like it you can sit on
and if you don’t like it you can sit on it and since you don’t go to much for
it and since you don’t go to much for
it and since you don’t go to much for talking how about if I put my knuckles
talking how about if I put my knuckles
talking how about if I put my knuckles where your mouse is do you agree with
where your mouse is do you agree with
where your mouse is do you agree with our list
what TV character from the 70s is your
what TV character from the 70s is your favorite form or ranked top 10s
favorite form or ranked top 10s
favorite form or ranked top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe
published every day be sure to subscribe
published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com
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