20 Greatest Female Sitcom Characters of All Time, Ranked

The 20 Greatest Female Sitcom Characters of All Time, Ranked

Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope sitting behind her desk and smiling for the camera in Parks and Recreation.Image via NBC

By Michael Block Published 40 minutes ago Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award nominated writer, producer, and host of the podcast Block Talk. Throughout his time in the entertainment industry, he has worked on and off Broadway as a stage manager, written several produced plays, critiqued hundreds of theatrical performances, drag and cabaret shows, and has produced events randing from drag competitoons to variety concerts! On Block Talk, he interviews nightlife personalities, covers the wide world of entertainment through features, ranking episodes, and recaps ALL of Drag Race, as well as Dragula and Survivor. He has interviewed hundreds of RuGirls that span the globe at DragCon NYC, DragCon LA, and DragCon UK. In his free time, he makes one-of-a-kind jewelry and gift baskets with his mom. He is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. Sign in to your Collider account follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

We turn to sitcoms to laugh. Week after week, our favorite comedies bring us joy through wild situations and hilarious jokes. But a major reason these shows seem to stand the test of time is the characters who inhabit them. A great character can make or break a sitcom, and luckily, these characters helped to elevate these shows to their great potential.

Throughout television history, these characters and the brilliant women who portrayed them have not only influenced the genre but have influenced one another. Without Lucille Ball's Lucy Ricardo, we wouldn't have Amy Poehler's Leslie Knope or Tina Fey's Liz Lemon. Not every character on this list is the main character. Sometimes, supporting characters like Megan Mullally's Karen Walker and Janelle James' Ava Coleman become the ultimate scene stealers. Nevertheless, these iconic female characters have made a lasting impression on sitcom history.

20 Tina Belcher (Dan Mintz)

'Bob's Burgers' (2011–)

Tina sits in the backseat of the car in Season 3, Episode 21 of 'Bob's Burgers.'Image via FOX

When it comes to Bob's Burgers, the Belchers are beloved as a family unit, but there's one kid who stands out as the best: Tina Belcher. Voiced by Dan Mintz, she is the eldest daughter with a love for writing erotic fiction that centers around zombies, a lot of kissing, and butts. The perpetually awkward teen is a hopeless romantic at heart, and perhaps that's why we're so taken by her. Now, we may not have such a personal obsession with her obsessions, but we're obsessed that she's obsessed because Tina is us. Teenage girls are often lumped into a specific category in sitcoms. Perhaps the ability to have more room to play as an animated category is a factor, but Tina is unlike any other teen character.

We've all been Tina during our childhood, and thus, she's become the teen heroine of our time. Tina embraces her weirdness. She's shy, yet social. She loves Jimmy Jr. (H. Jon Benjamin) to a fault. She is the epitome of the "be yourself" trope. And rightly so. In that sense, she's a funny character who's also inspiring. We all love the Belchers as a unit, but Tina is the heart and soul of Bob's Burgers.

19 Gloria Delgado-Pritchett (Sofía Vergara)

'Modern Family' (2009–2020)

Sofia Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett from Modern FamilyImage via ABC

No doubt about it, Gloria Delgado-Pritchett was introduced as a literal punchline on Modern Family. And yet, Sofia Vergara's ability to embrace the joke and build upon it is what makes her the standout character in the brilliant ensemble. The fiery, feisty, and passionate Colombian new wife to Jay Pritchett (Ed O'Neill), Gloria, simply appears on-screen, and you want to chuckle. But then she opens her mouth and mispronounces English words, and you're laughing hysterically.

Gloria could easily be a stereotypical character, but Vergara has ensured that there is more to Gloria than the attractive, younger wife. She is a loving wife and mother and has embraced her new family, even if the new family unit is a joke in itself. She may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but she's absolutely not a bimbo. She's actually quite smarter than she lets on. Even the incorporation of her culture is a bright spot in the series. Though there is a lot of the actress infused into the character, it works. Gloria showed significant growth and depth throughout the show's 11-season run. With a brilliant cast, being the most beloved is hard, but Vergara's Gloria pulls it off.

18 Peg Bundy (Katey Sagal)

'Married... with Children' (1987–1997)

Katey Sagal as Peg Bundy in 'Married... with Children'Image via FOX

It's no coincidence that Ed O'Neill has two of his TV wives on this list. His ability to give so much to his scene partner is what allows them to shine. Such was the case with Katey Sagal's Peg Bundy. Known for her signature giant red-headed bouffant paired with a marriage of modern and dated attire, Peg was a presence on Married... with Children. Lazy meets lazy, making Peg and Al the best worst couple we've ever seen. She's always nagging her husband about money. She refuses to do any housework. She's an atypical housewife, which makes her hilarious to watch. Peg and Al have mutual disdain for their marriage, yet they still find moments of affection. As a mother, she's neglectful and sometimes jealous. And yet, that's what brings the laughs.

Peg Bundy is a satirical take on the modern housewife. She's meant to subvert the genre's norms. With the '80s and '90s filled with picture-perfect family units, the Bundys were the antithesis. Peg resented everything that every other mom and wife represented. Being the opposite of what we were used to, it offered a refreshing take on the changing landscape of sitcoms. Segal's performance was wonderfully iconic, becoming the defining character in her career.

17 Mindy Lahiri (Mindy Kaling)

'The Mindy Project' (2012–2017)

Mindy Kaling as Mindy in 'The Mindy Project.'Image via FOX

Many people knew Mindy Kaling for her role as Kelly Kapur on The Office. But when her run on the show, as both actress and writer, was over, she used those skills to create her own vehicle: The Mindy Project. The series followed the professional and personal life of obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Mndy Lahiri. Despite her success in her career, when she leaves the office, all bets are off in her dating life. With a string of personality traits that were a hindrance in the dating scene, Mindy strives to become a well-rounded woman.

Kaling found the quirks in Mindy that made her an entertaining character throughout the show's six-season run. With a bubbly, humorous personality, she was a flawed woman. She ensured that it wasn't minimized, yet part of the character's growth. Furthermore, Kaling ensured that Mindy Lahiri was more than just a fun, fashion-loving woman. She was a strong, confident, and independent woman. Yet, she also acknowledged the love-hate relationship she had with herself and her image. As an Indian-American, Kaling's character represented an important and unique cultural representation rarely seen in sitcoms. To be frank, not since Kelly Kapur was South Asian representation and culture central to the storyline.

16 Claire Devlin (Nicola Coughlan)

'Derry Girls' (2018–2022)

Nichola Coughlin as Claire smiling in a school uniform in Derry Girls.Image via Channel 4

On Derry Girls, Claire Devlin (Nicola Coughlan) is the perpetual nervous Nelly. Right from the pilot, she's a teenager who means to do well, but through the influence of her friends, her morality is shot, sending her on a downward spiral. With that, it's pure comedy gold. Portrayed by Nicola Coughlan, Claire is the centerpiece of the friend group. Though they are a quintet, Claire stands out because Coughlin's performance is brilliant.

Wholeheartedly good-natured and obtusely naive, Claire is brilliant in mind but crumbles in the face of authority. When she cowers, it's not because she's weak; it's because she genuinely does not like conflict. And that's where the humor comes in. With a constant mission to do good, Claire's downward spiral in every predicament is the source of Derry Girls' funniest moments. Coughlin makes worrywarts funny. Just watch a highlight reel of Claire, and you'll understand what a brilliantly crafted character she is.

15 Samantha Stephens (Elizabeth Montgomery)

'Bewitched' (1964–1972)

Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) talks to Darrin (Dick Sargent), who was turned into a mouse on Bewitched.Image via ABC

She's a witch! When it came to '60s sitcoms, not everything had to be rooted in full reality. Who says husband and wife can't be made up of a mortal man and a witch? That was the premise of Bewitched. With a wiggle of her nose, Samantha Stephens (Elizabeth Montgomery) was television's favorite magic maker. Wishing to be a normal housewife, Samantha must contend with the strife of her magical family while keeping her identity a secret. And that's where the comedy ensues. Played by Elizabeth Montgomery, Samantha was not just a trope. Samantha defied the simplicity of women on television. Samantha was strong-willed and independent, unafraid to stand up for herself. She was a subversive character on a show full of hidden allegory.

Samantha was whimsical and carefree. Like a wonderful wife and mother, Samantha's mission was always to fix the problems. She was just reliant on witchcraft. As the anchor of Bewitched, Montgomery had exceptional chemistry, especially with Agnes Moorehead as Endora and both Dick York and Dick Sargent, who played Darrin during the series' run.

14 Ava Coleman (Janelle James)

'Abbott Elementary' (2021–)

Ava looking at Gregory Eddie lustfully in Abbott Elementary Season 2, Episode 9.Image via ABC

Now listen, when you watch Ava Coleman do her thing on Abbott Elementary, you simply cannot fathom that this woman could ever be a real principal in the real world. But do we really care? Through the exceptional dry wit of the series, Janelle James' Ava stands out thanks to her over-the-top antics and grossly inept ability to be a competent leader. Compared to some of the other staff members, Ava may seem like a caricature, but that's why we adore her. Everything she does, intentional or not, is hilarious. From obtaining her job through blackmail, making shady dealings to help the school, or simply ripping on anyone around her, Ava is a terrible human, but an excellent character.

James is not shy about making her character exceptionally vain and selfish. She's able to jab and spar with anyone, thanks to her wit and reads. Her obsession with wealth, fame, and celebrity may seem cartoonish, but that's made her alluring. Abbott Elementary has one of the greatest modern ensembles, but Ava stands out as the best of the best. If there is one positive takeaway from Ava Coleman, it's the concept of faking it until you make it. It may not be the best advice to live by, but Ava makes it work!

13 Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz)

'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' (2013–2021)

Stephanie Beatriz as Rosa Diaz sitting in a chair in the office looking unamused in Brooklyn Nine-Nine.Image via FOX

A tough, secretive, and intimidating detective, Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) and her sharp tongue are able to keep up with the big dogs at the 99th precinct. Played by Stephanie Beatriz, Rosa is proof of growth, providing a masterclass. From a tough, guarded loner to a fiercely loyal, trusting individual, Rosa is more than just an intimidating tough exterior. Even with her brutal statements, she's got a good heart.

Like Beatriz, Rosa is a brilliant representation of the LGBTQ+ community. Her coming-out story as a bisexual woman is one of the best moments in the entirety of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. There was a true evolution of the character, never sacrificing her integrity along the way. Rosa may seem like a quintessential badass, but she was always more than that. Rosa is truly one of the most inspiring characters on this list.

12 Lisa Simpson (Yeardley Smith)

'The Simpsons' (1989–)

Lisa Simpson reading in 'The Simpsons'Image via FOX

We've all heard of middle child syndrome, but if we were like Lisa Simpson (Yeardley Smith), maybe we wouldn't mind. As the glue of the family, Lisa Simpson is intelligent, kind, and the moral compass on The Simpsons. Wise beyond her years, Lisa has always been more progressive than anyone expected. And we love that. Universally the most popular character from the series, Lisa is probably the most feminist character to appear this long on TV. And she's only 8. Still!

Voiced by Yeardley Smith, Lisa has been the most realistic character in the entire series. Struggling with everything from anxiety to the pressures of identity, Lisa is relatable. Even as a cartoon character. Having such complexities, Lisa is never bogged down. While everyone around her is essentially out of their mind, Lisa truly does keep the family grounded. Truly, at what point in our timeline does Lisa become President? We're all patiently waiting!

11 Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow)

'Friends' (1994–2004)

Lisa Kudrow's Phoebe with her guitar in Friends.Image via NBC

We all have that one friend. You know, the one that's a little bit more eccentric than the rest. The one who does things that are slightly embarrassing and off-kilter, but you love them anyway. We all have a Phoebe Buffay in our lives. Brought to life by Lisa Kudrow, Phoebe was the quirky oddball who brought a special brand of funny that none of the other characters could. Rather than being a cookie-cutter character on Friends, Kudrow ensured that Phoebe had her own identity. Even while some of the other friends in the gang had unique backstories, Phoebe always took the cake.

Living a Bohemian lifestyle, Phoebe tended to keep to herself, but the more she integrated herself into the group, the more we wanted. From "Smelly Cat" to Regina Phalange, Phoebe was the one with the recurring gags and hilarious bits. As the characters grew up, so did Phoebe. She found her grounded self. And along the way, she found love. Maybe she was underrated in real time, but years removed, Phoebe was the best.

TV
Sitcom
Parks and Recreation

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