Buzz
In films, TV shows, and other media, we often see background characters who help create a sense of scale and environment for the main characters. While many of these figures remain in the shadows, there are a few who stand out and steal the spotlight. These background characters, sometimes humorous or quirky, end up becoming beloved by audiences, gaining their own moments of fame. Here’s a list of ten such characters who rose from the background to capture the audience's affection.
10. The Drinking Tourist - James Bond
This recurring background character from the Roger Moore-era Bond films made appearances in 'The Spy Who Loved Me,' 'Moonraker,' and 'For Your Eyes Only.' Each time, the Drinking Tourist encounters Bond in a wild, action-packed moment—whether it’s Bond emerging from the sea in a submarine car, cruising Venice in a gondola, or skiing down the Alps to escape a group of assassins. The gag centers on the tourist’s bemused reaction to Bond’s daring actions, as he wonders if he’s had too much to drink. This comedic setup is familiar in other media, but the character, portrayed by assistant director Victor Tourjansky, delivers it with the perfect charm.
9. Jonathan Levinson - Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Jonathan-Levinson
8. The Cabbage Merchant - Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar: The Last Airbender stands out as a beloved animated series due to its intricate characters, compelling plot, and stunning animation. Its humor, particularly through the various misadventures of the main characters, was another key element of its charm, with Sokka often taking the lead as the source of comic relief. Among the many humorous aspects was the recurring figure of the Cabbage Merchant, a simple vendor who faced constant misfortune as his cabbage cart was destroyed time and again by Aang and his companions. Traveling the Earth Kingdom, the Cabbage Merchant's path was always crossed by Team Avatar, resulting in his famous exclamation, 'My cabbages!' In The Legend of Korra, the merchant's legacy continues with the Cabbage Corp company, which even displays a statue in his honor, though his descendants still find themselves struggling against the Avatar's antics.
7. Scrat Ice Age
While it’s open to debate whether Scrat qualifies as a background character, his constant presence in the Ice Age films makes him a key figure. Scrat, the persistent 'saber-toothed squirrel,' spends the entirety of the series safeguarding and hoarding his precious acorn, only for fate—and frequently the main characters—to throw him off course. The increasingly ridiculous situations Scrat finds himself in, from triggering an ice floe to battling piranhas for his beloved acorn, to falling for the female saber-toothed flying squirrel, Scratte, provide endless amusement. Though Scrat plays a significant role in the narrative, he never joins the core group of characters and maintains his own storyline, often clashing with the main heroes by pure chance.
Scrat's origins are somewhat murky. Cartoonist Ivy Supersonic filed a lawsuit against 20th Century Fox in 1999, claiming she had created the character, but ultimately lost the case. In an ironic twist, in 2011, archaeologists unearthed a fossil of a mammal named Cronopio, which resembled a cross between a saber-toothed creature and a squirrel, sparking comparisons to Scrat.
6. Ice Cream Maker Guy Star Wars
In the Star Wars universe, virtually every character, no matter how minor, has become iconic. One such background figure is the Ice Cream Maker Guy, who appeared in The Empire Strikes Back. During a scene where Lando Calrissian urged the citizens of Cloud City to flee in the face of the Empire, a character could be seen running in the background, clutching a large white object. Fans joked that this object resembled an ice cream maker, leading to the character being dubbed Ice Cream Maker Guy. Eventually, writer Benjamin Dawe expanded on this character in a story, naming him Willrow Hood, and providing him with a deeper backstory, motivations, and personality. As it turns out, the object he was carrying was not an ice cream maker, but a memory core for a computer, a vital piece of equipment for the Rebel Alliance’s fight against the Empire.
5. Figwit The Lord of the Rings
Figwit, an elf who appears in The Lord of the Rings movie series, made his debut as a background character in The Fellowship of the Ring, portrayed by Bret McKenzie, of Flight of the Concords fame. His name was noticed by Tolkien fan Iris Hadad, who was struck by his appearance and exclaimed, 'Frodo is great… who is that!?' The first letters of her words inspired the name 'Figwit.' Hadad and other fans created a fan site dedicated to Figwit, causing his popularity to surge. Peter Jackson, acknowledging this rise in popularity, gave him a speaking part in the third film as a tribute to the fans. Over the years, Figwit’s fame continued to grow, with McKenzie taking on another role in The Hobbit films, though playing a different character.
4. Derpy Hooves My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
A character who rapidly gained popularity was Derpy Hooves from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, a show renowned for its complex characters that appealed to both children and adult male audiences. With a wide range of one-off and background characters, the fans eagerly gave them names and backstories. One example is 'Doctor Whooves,' a pony who shares traits with David Tennant’s Doctor and features an hourglass as a 'cutie mark.' Another is DJ Pon-3, a pony DJ seen for only a few seconds. Derpy Hooves, the most iconic of these characters, has been a background figure since the show's pilot. Her distinct crossed eyes, which were likely due to an animation error, made her stand out.
A user from 4chan pointed out Derpy Hooves, quickly propelling her to fame, where she became one of the most beloved characters, second only to the main cast. The show's creators took note of her popularity and gave her a voice in the second season, much to the delight of fans. However, this acknowledgment was short-lived, as some viewers raised concerns that Derpy’s character, with her crossed eyes, mocked people with disabilities. As a result, her name was removed from the episode she appeared in, and her voice was re-recorded. In response, fans rallied to reinstate her original voice, but the episode's writer issued a letter explaining the alteration, citing her son’s disabilities as the reason behind the decision to modify the character's portrayal.
3. Wally Where is Wally hiding?
The Where’s Wally? books have captivated children since 1987, challenging readers to spot the elusive Wally in bustling, humorous scenes filled with quirky characters. But Wally doesn’t wander alone; he’s joined by Wenda, Wizard Whitebeard, the tricky Odlaw in his yellow-and-black attire (in stark contrast to Wally’s red-and-white), and Wally’s dog Woof—whose tail is the only visible clue, making him harder to find than even Wally. Wally’s legacy extends to a brief cartoon series and discussions of a live-action film adaptation. His remarkable ability to blend into chaotic crowds has made him a lasting icon, and it’s my hope that Where’s Wally? will continue for many more years.
2. Red Shirts Star Trek
The term “red shirt” refers to characters who are introduced only to be killed shortly thereafter, a concept most commonly associated with Star Trek. In the original series, it was customary for extras dressed in red shirts to accompany Captain Kirk, Spock, and Dr. McCoy to alien planets, where they would swiftly meet their demise at the hands of some hostile force. Though a few main characters occasionally donned red shirts, it was typically the extras who perished. Lt. Leslie, a red-shirted character from the original series, is a notable example—he was killed off in one episode, but later revived and appeared in additional episodes. This tradition continued in the later series, though less frequently. The most recent instance occurred in the 2009 film, where an arrogant red-shirted character joined Kirk and Sulu on a mission to destroy the Romulan drill weapon, only to meet a tragic fate in the drill’s heat ray.
1. The Simpsons Background Characters
The Simpsons features a vast array of characters, many of whom serve as supporting or background characters. While popular figures such as Flanders, Apu, Moe, Barney, Krusty, Mr. Burns, Professor Frink, and the school staff often take center stage, a wide range of recurring characters also contribute their own humor to the show. The list is nearly endless, but some of the more memorable characters include Bumblebee Man, Crazy Cat Lady, Disco Stu, officers Eddie and Lou, Gil, Herman, Jasper, Dr. Marvin Monroe, Captain McCallister, Sideshow Mel, Squeaky-Voiced Teen, the Wiseguy, and the “Yesss” Guy.
The standout background character on the show is Hans Moleman, a seemingly elderly mole-like figure who constantly finds himself in absurd and comical situations. Despite his frail appearance, he’s actually only 31 years old, with his aged look attributed to excessive alcohol consumption. Over the years, Hans has become a master of comic relief, having been “re-programmed” to believe he’s Bart Simpson, held a series of strange jobs, filmed himself being struck in the groin by a football, and even had a hole drilled into his head by Mr. Burns while under heavy medication. His close encounters with death are numerous—he’s been trapped in an x-ray machine for an entire weekend, blown up in a Gremlin car, crashed another car into Springfield’s Planet Hollywood, and set on fire due to the powerful magnification of his glasses.
+ Cigar Guy
Cigar Guy, an internet sensation, rose to fame thanks to his unforgettable look. He was first noticed in a photo with Tiger Woods, where he stood out with a ginger wig, a Groucho Marx-style mustache, and a cigar clenched between his teeth. It was later revealed that Cigar Guy was actually honoring Spanish golfer Miguel Ángel Jiménez. The hunt for his identity quickly began, and it was eventually discovered that he was Rupesh Shingadia, a British man who admitted feeling 'slightly embarrassed' by his sudden fame, despite eventually making an appearance on The Today Show.
