Sitcoms keep audiences laughing even through their toughest times. Of course, these sitcoms are only as entertaining as the actors bringing their stories to life. From funny younger siblings and rebellious teenagers, to overworked adults just trying to keep it together, these actors bring unforgettable characters to life. To celebrate the genre that keeps us laughing no matter what, here are the 11 best performances in 1980s TV sitcoms.
11Gary Coleman - Different Strokes
Different Strokeshada pretty original plot, perhaps unheard of for its time. A rich man adopts two orphans from Harlem and introduces them to the lavish upper class in New York City. From cultural and social clashes, and adjusting to their new adoptive family, to keeping their familial bond strong, brothers Arnold and Willis have a rough start but eventually integrate themselves successfully into the Drummond family.Gary Colemansteals the spotlight; he’s funny, sassy, and has a spark that quickly turned him into the main character of the show, outshining the veteran actor, Conrad Bain. Coleman’s Arnold will go down as one of the best child performances in TV history.
10Nancy McKeon - The Facts of Life
Introduced in the second season ofThe Facts of Life,Nancy McKeon’s Jo quickly became one of the most interesting characters on the show. Coming from an impoverished neighborhood and dysfunctional home, Jo often clashes with the series protagonist, the affluent Blair Warner. While Jo shows a tough-as-nails exterior, often refusing to let people into her life or expressing much sensitivity, Joe eventually opens up to Blair and company, referring to them as best friends by the end of the series. Of course, who can forget Jo’s introduction to the show, pulling up to her new school on a motorcycle… iconic!
9Michael J. Fox - Family Ties
His breakthrough role,Michael J. Foxportrays the bookish, overachieving Alex P. Keaton onFamily Ties. Alex is the polar opposite of his carefree, younger siblings and politically liberal parents. Even with all his intellectual and academic pursuits, Alex is complex, often exhibiting an all-or-nothing mentality towards achieving his goals, and in one episode, resorting to substance abuse to excel in his academics. Fox’s portrayal of Alex garnered him three Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, and paved the way for his starring roles in quintessential ’80s films such asBack to the Future.
8Katey Sagal - Married… with Children
Unlike the traditional American mom prototype previously shown in sitcoms,Married… with Children’sPeg Bundy is something unique to watch. Peggy is materialistic, shallow, and emotionally detached from her family. Nonetheless, she’s still a compelling character to watch every time she shoots a wisecrack at Al, her neighbor, Marcy, or even her own kids.Katey Sagal’s Peggy remains one of the most interesting, and iconic TV moms ever, paving the way for other boisterous mothers such as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett onModern Family.
7Ted Danson - Cheers
The womanizing lead ofCheers,Ted Danson’s Sam Malone,is a character that is difficult to root for, yet audiences manage to due to Danson’s nuanced portrayal. Sam devotes his life to Cheers, romancing random women, and trying to make things work between budding love interests, Diane and Rebecca. By the end of the series, Sam is very much still single and faces a heavy realization; he is a sex addict, and this unaddressed issue has harmed his long-term relationships. Bythe endofCheers, audiences can’t help but pity then chauvinistic Sam.
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6Tony Danza - Who’s the Boss?
Tony Danzagives a layered performance as Tony Micelli inWho’s the Boss?Recently widowed, former baseball player Tony takes a job as a live-in nanny for the stern and business-oriented, Angela Bower. While Tony quickly grows on her kids, it takes a while (much of the sitcom’s run) for Tony and Angela to meet eye-to-eye, and that’s where much of the show’s comedy stems from.
From Tony going on escapades with the kids, and Tony and Angela having contrasting opinions on parenting, to advising each other on their respective dating lives, these two are polar opposites that somehow fall in love with each other towards the end of the series. Danza truly hit it out of the ballpark with his performance as Tony Micelli.
5Josh Saviano - The Wonder Years
While Fred Savage is the titular character inThe Wonder Years,Josh Savianogives an equally powerful performance as his best friend, Paul. Paul is the responsible, studious child prodigy every parent can only dream of, but nonetheless, Paul is full of dreams and has a jovial spirit that those around him, including Kevin, tend to disregard. Unlike most sitcoms, where the lead and their best friend remain closeuntil the very last episode, Paul grows distant from Kevin, opting to pursue a higher education outside his suburban hometown, and as a result, parts ways with Kevin. Soviano gives a true-to-life portrayal inThe Wonder Yearsthat sticks with audiences to this day.
4Malcolm-Jamal Warner - The Cosby Show
Malcolm-Jamal Warnergives a gut-wrenching performance as Theodore Huxtable inThe Cosby Show. The middle child in the Huxtable household, Theodore has a huge weight on his shoulders; he is starved for attention and constantly afraid of disappointing his father, Cliff. While his parents initially assume he has no interest in academics and willfully neglects studying, it’s soon discovered that Theodore actually suffers from dyslexia. Seeing Theodore deal with the realization of his condition and how it will affect his future is heartbreaking to watch, with Warner delivering a powerhouse performance through and through.
3Neil Patrick Harris - Doogie Howser, M.D.
Before starring as the womanizing Barney Stinson inHow I Met Your Mother,Neil Patrick Harrisimmersed himself in one of the most complex characters a child actor has ever been tasked with, Doogie Howser. Doogie Howser is an overachiever in every regard; with an extremely high IQ, Howser is a licensed doctor by the age of 16, and making the world a better place one patient at a time. Nonetheless, Howser is full of internal conflict, from his experiences with ill patients, seeing modern medicine’s shortcomings, and his own desires to just be a teenager sometimes. Neil Patrick Harris deserved his three Young Artist Awards throughoutDoogie Howser, M.D’s four-season run.
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2Rue McClanahan - The Golden Girls
The Golden Girlsisa cultural phenomenon adored by newer generationsfour decades after its original run. This sitcom introduced audiences to four very lively, and different, leading characters that showed audiences that living life to the fullest has no expiration date. While each character cemented themselves in audiences' hearts, Blanche is arguably the best-remembered. Boisterous, fashionable, and with an undeterred desire to find love, Blanche is iconic in her own right, and will live on in audiences' hearts forever.Rue McClanahangave the performance of a lifetime as Blanche Devereaux.
