Six Sitcom Characters That Defined ‘Cool’
Few truly funny characters are what anyone would consider “cool.” This means that it’s very common for funny characters to also be outcasts, losers and nerds, usually put into uncomfortable situation after uncomfortable situation to regale the audience with laughs. But with every rule comes an exception. In this case, we have six…
Fonzie on ‘Happy Days’
To this day, no sitcom character screams “cool” quite like Arthur Fonzarelli, also known as “The Fonz.” The Fonz is handsome, has great hair, wears a leather jacket, rides a motorcycle and can get a jukebox to play just by banging on it. In the hands of a lesser actor, such a character could come off as obnoxious, but Henry Winkler played him with a charm and kindness that eventually took over the entire series.
Vinnie Barbarino on ‘Welcome Back, Kotter’
In the late 1970s, the only rival to Fonzie’s coolness was John Travolta as Vinnie Barbarino on Welcome Back, Kotter. Despite Happy Days taking place in the 1950s and Welcome Back, Kotter in the then-present 1970s, Vinnie, like Fonzie, is an Italian-American heartthrob. Sure, Vinnie Barbarino is a moron, but his killer dance moves more than make up for it. And Vinnie Barbarino’s most impressive feature is his beautiful, dark, flowing hair, which, at the time, was very real.
Joey Russo on ‘Blossom’
Joey Lawrence played Blossom’s brother Joey Russo, a dim-witted, baseball-playing teen whose good looks made him a hit with the girls at school. While Blossom hasn’t survived as well as some of the other sitcoms on this list, there’s no denying that one of the coolest characters on TV in the early 1990s was Joey Russo. He was considered so cool, in fact, that the man who played him claims that he inspired another cool ‘90s sitcom character named Joey (even if no one believes him). Speaking of which…
Joey Tribiani on ‘Friends’
Despite being a struggling actor, Joey Tribiani is a cool guy from an era when cool guy characters mostly stopped being cool. After the ‘90s, cool guys were usually assholes that everyone hates, but Joey, played by Matt LeBlanc, had a variety of things going for him. For one, while he was a ladies man, he wasn’t a creep about it. And although he was obviously good-looking and knew it, part of the character’s confidence came from his stupidity, which made him utterly harmless. Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow were the only Friends cast members who won Emmys for their roles, but LeBlanc managed a cool, funny guy balancing act that remains underappreciated.
Zach Morris on ‘Saved by the Bell’
The only blond on this list, Zach Morris was the king of Bayside High School and everyone, including the principal, knew it. Mark-Paul Gosselaar played the part of the incorrigible young man with such ease and charisma that the show was immediately retooled to place him in the center of it. Originally, Saved by the Bell was called Good Morning, Miss Bliss and the main character was a teacher named Miss Bliss. But the kids, led by Gosselaar, were so good that the show was retooled for Season Two and Miss Bliss was permanently expelled.
Uncle Jesse on ‘Full House’
On paper, Jesse Katsopolis isn’t all that cool. Generally speaking, uncle characters aren’t that cool. Case in point: Uncle Fester, Uncle Leo, Uncle Junior and Uncle Deadly. Jesse’s also a failed musician who lives in his brother-in-law’s attic and is regularly outsmarted by a toddler. However, the producers of Full House cast the part with the undeniably handsome and charming John Stamos. So despite his many shortcomings, Uncle Jesse became a cool character, even if he still remained in that attic after he got married and he and his wife had twins.
Seriously dude, use that pretty face to find yourself a less full house.
