Classic comedy characters are generally known for combining wit (or a lack thereof) with humor and creativity. Sometimes they win major acting awards, and sometimes they gain cult status. Either way, they are memorably funny and unforgettably endearing.
Here are seven of the most classic comedy characters of all time:
1. Ferris Bueller
In the 1986 movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) cuts classes, steals a Ferrari, and visits Chicago as a last-ditch freedom run before graduation. In doing so, he makes reality of his audience's dreams. The mischievous, creative, likeable Bueller was
ranked number 15 on Empire's list of The 100 Greatest Movie Characters.
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2. Kevin McCallister
Star of the 1990s "Home Alone" franchise, Kevin McCallister (played by Macaulay Culkin) is crafty, self-sufficient, and endearing. The franchise follows the solo adventures of McCallister after getting separated from his family. His comical booby-traps and loyalty earn him a spot as a classic comedy character. Culkin won the American Comedy Award for Funniest Actor in A Motion Picture in 1991.
3. Sally Albright
Audiences remember Sally Albright (Meg Ryan), one of the protagonists of the 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally," for fake restaurant orgasms, impromptu karaoke sessions, and constant bantering.
Featured on NPR's "Movies I've Seen a Million Times," "Milk" director Dustin Lance Black praises "When Harry Met Sally" for being funny and timeless.
4. Captain Ron
"Captain Ron" is a 1992 movie starring Kurt Russell as the title character. Captain Ron is a sailor with a carefree attitude and one eye. When the Harvey family's boat runs into trouble, they enlist Captain Ron to safely navigate them back to Miami. However, due to Ron's unconventional characteristics and lack of actual sailing skills, they experience escapade after escapade.
According to IMDb, Russell’s hilarious, versatile performance makes the movie a worthy comedy.
5. Andy Stitzer
Played by comedian Steve Carell in the 2005 movie "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," Andy Stitzer is a single man who loves video games and action figures. The movie chronicles his friends' push for him to lose his virginity. Receiving a
rating of 85 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie is known for its toilet humor, awkward men, and surprising wit.
6. Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne
The misadventures of buddies Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, played by Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, respectively, are the center of the 1994 movie "Dumb and Dumber." The two have good intentions, a lack of wit, and innate ability to get into every kind of trouble imaginable.
List Entertainment ranks "Dumb and Dumber" second on its list of Top 10 Cult Comedies.
7. Beetlejuice
The title character of the 1988 film "Beetlejuice" makes obnoxious attempts at scaring away the new owners of a house. The National Society of Film Critics bestowed the Best Actor award on Michael Keaton in 1989 for his portrayal of the comical and devious ghost.
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