TV’s Funniest Animated Stars: A Paley Center for Media Special with the Top 40 TV Animated Characters

Welcome to this blog dedicated to celebrating the timeless humor and cultural impact of animated television characters! In December 2015, Fox aired the special TV’s Funniest Animated Stars: A Paley Center for Media Special, a two-hour tribute produced in partnership with the Paley Center for Media. It featured a fan-voted countdown—determined by a Nielsen survey—of the top 40 funniest, most iconic, and groundbreaking animated stars from TV history, blending classic legends like Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse with modern favorites from shows such as The Simpsons, Family Guy, South Park, and beyond.

Here, we dive deep into that memorable list, exploring each character’s unique comedic style, personality quirks, and lasting legacy through short profiles. From Stewie Griffin’s diabolical baby genius claiming the surprising #1 spot to timeless icons like SpongeBob SquarePants and Scooby-Doo rounding out the top ranks, this blog revisits the special’s highlights, debates its Fox-heavy slant, and honors the voices, creators, and moments that made these characters household names. Whether you’re a longtime animation fan or discovering these stars anew, join us as we laugh, reflect, and geek out over TV’s funniest animated legends!

The 2015 Fox special TV’s Funniest Animated Stars: A Paley Center for Media Special brought the countdown to life with exclusive interviews featuring many of the most talented voice actors and creators behind the top-ranked characters, offering heartfelt insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and nostalgic reflections that enriched each reveal. Prominent guests included Pamela Adlon (Bobby Hill), Tony Anselmo (Donald Duck), Todd Barbee (Charlie Brown), H. Jon Benjamin (Bob Belcher and Sterling Archer), Alex Borstein (Lois Griffin), Nancy Cartwright (Bart Simpson), John DiMaggio (Bender), Seth Green (Chris Griffin), Mike Henry (Cleveland Brown), Mike Judge (Hank Hill, Beavis, and Butt-Head), Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants), and Yeardley Smith (Lisa Simpson), alongside additional contributors such as Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon (creators of Rick and Morty), Kat Cressida (Dee Dee), Genndy Tartakovsky (creator of Dexter’s Laboratory), Billy West (various voices), Cheryl Chase (Angelica Pickles), Seth MacFarlane (Stewie Griffin and creator of Family Guy), and Phineas and Ferb talents Vincent Martella, Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, and Dan Povenmire. Narrated by Fred Savage, who smoothly connected each segment, these interviews kept the focus squarely on animation insiders—there were no major live-action celebrities—allowing the real stars of the show to share personal anecdotes about voicing legends from Donald Duck and SpongeBob to Bart Simpson and beyond, making the special both a celebration of the characters and a tribute to the incredible performers who gave them their unforgettable voices.

Here is a collection for each of the top 40 animated characters from the 2015 Fox special TV’s Funniest Animated Stars: A Paley Center for Media Special, highlighting their iconic humor, personality, and cultural impact as celebrated in the fan-voted countdown. The lower ranks of the 2015 Fox special TV’s Funniest Animated Stars: A Paley Center for Media Special kicked off with a delightful mix of quirky underdogs and boundary-pushing icons, showcasing the breadth of animated TV comedy from family-friendly chaos to adult-oriented absurdity.

40. Bobby Hill (King of the Hill)
Bobby Hill, the quirky, food-loving son of Hank and Peggy, brought gentle, awkward comedy to King of the Hill with his offbeat interests like comedy and dancing, often clashing hilariously with his dad’s traditional values.

Animated character sitting on a sofa, wearing a blue t-shirt, with a neutral expression, in a colorful living room setting.

39. Rick and Morty (Rick and Morty)
The chaotic genius scientist Rick Sanchez and his anxious grandson Morty defined absurd, dark sci-fi humor in their multiverse adventures, blending nihilism, family dysfunction, and wild inventions for a wildly unpredictable ride.

Animated scene featuring Rick and Morty being pulled into a swirling green portal. Rick holds a futuristic device while Morty looks surprised.

38. Dee Dee (Dexter’s Laboratory)
Dee Dee, the hyperactive, ballet-obsessed sister of boy genius Dexter, was the ultimate agent of chaos, gleefully destroying his experiments with her infectious energy and iconic “Ooooh, what does this button do?” antics.

An animated scene featuring a girl with pigtails and a pink outfit, looking surprised or concerned, alongside a bespectacled boy with red hair and a lab coat, both standing in a laboratory-like setting.

37. Ren & Stimpy (The Ren & Stimpy Show)
The volatile chihuahua Ren Höek and dim-witted cat Stimpy pushed gross-out and manic comedy to extremes, delivering bizarre, boundary-testing humor that influenced an entire generation of adult animation.

Two animated characters, one small and brown with large ears and the other a round red character with a blue nose, displaying animated expressions in a colorful room.

36. Chef (South Park)
Chef, the soulful school cook voiced by Isaac Hayes, offered wise, R&B-infused life advice and hilarious songs, providing rare warmth and satire amid the show’s outrageous absurdity.

A cartoon chef wearing a chef's hat and an apron with the word 'CHEF' stands behind a kitchen counter, looking concerned while holding a spatula.

35. Cleveland Brown (Family Guy / The Cleveland Show)
Cleveland Brown, the mild-mannered neighbor from Family Guy, spun off into his own series with laid-back, family-man charm and deadpan reactions to escalating chaos.

Animated character with curly hair and mustache, wearing a yellow t-shirt, standing in a suburban yard with a house and trees in the background.

34. Linda Belcher (Bob’s Burgers)
Linda Belcher, the enthusiastic and supportive matriarch of the Belcher family, shone with her over-the-top optimism, musical outbursts, and unwavering love for her quirky kids and husband Bob.

Animated character with black hair and red glasses, wearing a red top, standing in a room with a patterned wallpaper and a cocktail glass on the bar.

33. Randy Marsh (South Park)
Randy Marsh, the impulsive, often embarrassing dad, evolved into one of South Park’s most unpredictable forces, diving into absurd schemes from Tegridy Farms to viral dances with reckless abandon.

A character wearing a straw hat drives a yellow tractor in front of a red barn, surrounded by trees and a rural landscape.

32. Angelica Pickles (Rugrats)
Angelica Pickles, the bossy, spoiled toddler with a sharp tongue, terrorized the babies while delivering sassy one-liners and schemes that made her a memorable anti-heroine of preschool chaos.

A cartoon character with blonde hair styled in pigtails, wearing a blue dress and a fluffy purple vest, excitedly posing against a pink background.

31. Lola Bunny (The Looney Tunes Show)
Lola Bunny brought modern sass and athletic flair to the Looney Tunes universe, evolving from a sports-loving side character into a confident, quirky force with Bugs Bunny chemistry.

A cartoon female rabbit character in a sports uniform, confidently spinning a basketball on her finger, with a hallway and an EXIT sign in the background.

The middle-to-upper tier of the 2015 Fox special TV’s Funniest Animated Stars: A Paley Center for Media Special shifted toward a blend of timeless classics, sharp-witted satires, and dysfunctional family dynamics, highlighting how animated characters could deliver layered humor across generations and styles.

30. Mr. Burns (The Simpsons)
Mr. Burns, the ancient, evil billionaire owner of the Springfield Nuclear Plant, epitomized greedy villainy with his frail body, elaborate schemes, and classic “Excellent…” finger-steepling.

29. Yogi Bear
Yogi Bear, the smarter-than-average picnic basket thief from Jellystone Park, charmed audiences with his clever escapes, “Hey, Boo-Boo!” catchphrase, and laid-back mischief.

A cartoon bear character stands with one hand raised, wearing a green scarf and a hat, with a wooden cabin and trees in the background.

28. Stan Smith (American Dad!)
Stan Smith, the patriotic, paranoid CIA agent dad, delivered over-the-top conservatism and family chaos in American Dad!, often clashing hilariously with his liberal daughter and alien housemate.

A cartoon character with a muscular build, wearing a dark suit and tie, sitting at a table with a serious expression, against a simple blue background.

27. George Jetson (The Jetsons)
George Jetson, the harried family man of the future, captured mid-century workplace woes with his “Jane, stop this crazy thing!” complaints amid futuristic gadgets and family antics.

A cartoon character with red hair, wearing a white shirt and blue pants, is joyfully waving while sitting in a green futuristic flying vehicle against a starry background.

26. Phineas and Ferb (Phineas and Ferb)
Stepbrothers Phineas Flynn and Ferb Fletcher embodied endless summer creativity, building massive inventions every day while their pet platypus Perry secretly fought evil as a secret agent.

Two animated characters sitting under a tree in a backyard, one is reading a book while the other is smiling. A small blue platypus is next to them.

25. Hank Hill (King of the Hill)
Hank Hill, the propane salesman and proud Texan, offered dry, no-nonsense humor rooted in suburban life, lawn care, and his constant bafflement at modern weirdness.

An animated character with glasses and a concerned expression, standing in a room with a neutral background.

24. Daria Morgendorffer (Daria)
Daria Morgendorffer, the deadpan, sarcastic teen intellectual, skewered high school conformity and shallow trends with sharp wit and unflinching cynicism.

Cartoon character sitting at a table with a coffee cup, wearing a blue sweater and glasses, with long brown hair and a plant in the background.

23. Roger the Alien (American Dad!)
Roger the Alien, the shape-shifting, booze-loving extraterrestrial, stole scenes with outrageous disguises, selfish antics, and hilariously unhinged personalities.

A cartoon alien character with a large head and expressive eyes, sitting in a green chair in a kitchen setting.

22. Tina Belcher (Bob’s Burgers)
Tina Belcher, the awkward, boy-obsessed teen with her signature “uhhh” and erotic friend fiction, brought painfully relatable puberty humor to the Belcher family.

A character with black hair and glasses stands in a doorway, wearing a blue shirt and a backpack, with a serious expression.

21. Sterling Archer (Archer)
Sterling Archer, the suave yet incompetent superspy, combined James Bond swagger with alcoholism, mommy issues, and nonstop crude one-liners in a spy parody masterpiece.

A close-up of an animated man with short dark hair and striking blue eyes, wearing a suit and tie, set against a modern office background.

The top 20 of the 2015 Fox special TV’s Funniest Animated Stars: A Paley Center for Media Special ramped up the excitement with a powerhouse mix of timeless classics, dysfunctional family anchors, and boundary-pushing anti-heroes, reflecting the special’s blend of nostalgic reverence and modern edge as the countdown built toward its surprising finale. With the lower ranks already showcasing a wide spectrum of animated comedy—from gentle suburban quirks and preschool sass to gross-out mania and dark satire—the program now shifted into high gear, heightening the drama through rapid-fire clips of iconic scenes, enthusiastic voice-actor anecdotes, creator insights, and hosts’ playful commentary on each character’s cultural footprint. This electrifying buildup created a palpable sense of anticipation, as viewers watched the list climb into the realm of true legends and fan-favorite standouts, bridging golden-age slapstick with the irreverent, character-driven humor of the 1990s and 2000s adult animation boom. The Nielsen fan vote’s clear favoritism toward Fox-adjacent shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy became even more evident here, yet the inclusion of enduring Peanuts pathos, Looney Tunes chaos, and prehistoric everyman antics ensured a balanced celebration of animation’s rich history—setting the perfect stage for the dramatic reverse-order reveals that would soon crown the absolute elite and spark endless post-show debates about humor, legacy, and what makes a cartoon character truly unforgettable.

20. Beavis and Butthead (Beavis and Butt-Head)
Beavis and Butt-Head, the iconic slacker duo, revolutionized MTV-era stupidity with their fire-loving, music-video commentary, and endless “heh heh” laughs.

Two animated characters with exaggerated features sit on a red couch, eating pizza. The room has a disheveled appearance with a broken lamp and peeling walls. One character wears an AC/DC shirt, while the other wears a Metallica shirt. A rat is on the floor nearby.

19. Marge Simpson (The Simpsons)
Marge Simpson, the patient blue-haired homemaker, anchored the family with her moral compass, towering hair, and exasperated “Mmmmmm” reactions to Homer’s chaos.

A cartoon character with tall blue hair, wearing a green dress and a red necklace, standing in a pink room.

18. Bender (Futurama)
Bender Bending Rodríguez, the foul-mouthed, beer-guzzling robot, embodied selfish hedonism with his “Bite my shiny metal ass!” attitude and criminal escapades.

A cartoon robot with a metallic body, standing in a cluttered room, poses with a clenched fist and a toothy grin. The background includes a doorframe, a large machine, and a garbage can.

17. Lois Griffin (Family Guy)
Lois Griffin, the Griffin family mom, balanced domestic life with sudden bursts of wild behavior, piano skills, and sharp takedowns of her husband’s idiocy.

Animated character Lois Griffin standing next to a safe filled with stacks of cash and boxes while holding a piece of paper.

16. Lisa Simpson (The Simpsons)
Lisa Simpson, the brilliant, saxophone-playing activist, provided heart and intelligence amid Springfield’s absurdity, fighting for causes with precocious determination.

15. Daffy Duck
Daffy Duck, the greedy, hot-tempered rival to Bugs Bunny, delivered explosive tantrums, scheming, and classic lines like “You’re despicable!” in timeless Looney Tunes fashion.

Animated character Daffy Duck in a suit sitting in an office chair with a serious expression.

14. Donald Duck
Donald Duck, the short-tempered sailor with speech quirks, brought slapstick frustration and family adventures to life in his iconic temper and quacky rants.

Cartoon character Donald Duck wearing a blue hat and bow tie, with a yellow background.

13. Charlie Brown
Charlie Brown, the eternally unlucky everyman from Peanuts, captured quiet pathos and gentle humor through his football-kicking failures and “Good grief!” sighs.

A cartoon character with a bald head, wearing a yellow shirt with a black zigzag pattern and brown shoes, standing in a grassy area and looking uncertain.

12. Fred Flintstone (The Flintstones)
Fred Flintstone, the boisterous prehistoric everyman, yelled “Yabba dabba doo!” while bowling, working at the quarry, and navigating Stone Age family life.

A cheerful cartoon character with brown hair, wearing an orange cave-themed outfit and holding a black rock in both hands.

11. Eric Cartman (South Park)
Eric Cartman, the manipulative, bigoted, scheming kid, pushed dark comedy boundaries with his ruthless plans, catchphrases like “Respect my authoritah!”, and unapologetic villainy.

The top 10 of the 2015 Fox special TV’s Funniest Animated Stars: A Paley Center for Media Special represented the pinnacle of the fan-voted countdown, blending pure-hearted absurdity, family dysfunction, timeless charm, and rebellious energy as the program built to its controversial climax with heavy emphasis on modern adult sitcom stars. As the special entered its most anticipated stretch, the hosts ramped up the excitement with archival clips, enthusiastic commentary from voice actors and creators, and playful acknowledgments of how these characters had defined laughter for millions over decades, creating palpable anticipation for the elite rankings that would soon be unveiled in dramatic reverse order. This buildup not only celebrated the incredible range of animated comedy—from wide-eyed innocence and cool canine imagination to sharp-witted satire and gleefully chaotic family antics—but also underscored the Nielsen survey’s clear tilt toward the irreverent, cutaway-gag-driven humor of contemporary Fox and Adult Swim favorites, setting the stage for a top tier that mixed generational icons with bold, boundary-pushing standouts and ultimately sparked lively discussion among viewers about what truly makes an animated star the “funniest” of all time.

10. SpongeBob SquarePants (SpongeBob SquarePants)
SpongeBob SquarePants, the optimistic, jellyfishing fry cook, radiated pure joy and absurdity with his laugh, bubble-blowing, and eternal enthusiasm for life under the sea.

9. Peter Griffin (Family Guy)
Peter Griffin, the dim-witted, impulsive family patriarch, fueled cutaway gags, bar fights, and outrageous schemes with his signature “Heh heh heh” laugh.

Animated character Peter Griffin holding a mug of beer, looking quizzically while standing in a pub setting.

8. Snoopy
Snoopy, the imaginative beagle from Peanuts, soared as the World War I Flying Ace, writer, and Joe Cool, embodying cool detachment and whimsical daydreams.

Snoopy wearing a pilot's hat and goggles, sitting on a doghouse with a red scarf, while Woodstock, a small yellow bird, sits beside him.

7. Bart Simpson (The Simpsons)
Bart Simpson, the skateboarding troublemaker with “Eat my shorts!” and prank calls, defined rebellious youth and captured the spirit of 90s mischief.

Bart Simpson standing on a staircase, looking surprised with his mouth open, wearing an orange t-shirt. — Screenshot

6. Brian Griffin (Family Guy)
Brian Griffin, the intellectual, martini-sipping family dog, offered sarcastic commentary, failed novels, and liberal pretensions amid the Griffins’ insanity.

A cartoon dog with a white body and black nose, standing on a porch with a railing, looking disappointed or annoyed, with trees and a street in the background.

The top 5 of the 2015 Fox special TV’s Funniest Animated Stars: A Paley Center for Media Special crowned the absolute greatest icons of animated television, a star-studded finale that juxtaposed wholesome Disney charm, classic mystery-solving antics, golden-age trickster genius, everyman absurdity, and shockingly dark baby villainy—reflecting the fan vote’s bold embrace of both timeless nostalgia and contemporary edge. As the countdown reached its electrifying climax, the special built maximum suspense with montages of legendary moments, heartfelt voice-actor testimonials, and playful commentary on how these characters had shaped generations of laughter, before finally unveiling the elite quintet in reverse order. This dramatic reveal not only celebrated the enduring power of animation to evolve from innocent, family-friendly fun to irreverent, boundary-pushing satire but also highlighted the surprising preferences of the Nielsen fan survey, setting the stage for the ultimate crowning moment that left viewers both delighted and debating long after the credits rolled.

5. Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse, Disney’s cheerful mascot, brought wholesome fun, “Ha-ha!” laughs, and timeless adventures as the ever-optimistic leader of the gang.

A cartoon character, Mickey Mouse, is joyfully walking with a smile, wearing red shorts and large yellow shoes.

4. Scooby-Doo
Scooby-Doo, the cowardly Great Dane, solved mysteries with “Scooby Snacks” and “Ruh-roh!” exclamations, blending spooky fun with slapstick comedy.

A cheerful cartoon dog with a brown coat and black spots, wearing a light blue collar, stands in a vibrant outdoor setting with green foliage and palm trees in the background.

3. Bugs Bunny
Bugs Bunny, the wisecracking rabbit, outsmarted foes with “What’s up, Doc?” calm, cross-dressing tricks, and carrot-munching nonchalance.

A cartoon rabbit lounging casually, holding a carrot and smiling playfully.

2. Homer Simpson (The Simpsons)
Homer Simpson, the donut-loving, “D’oh!”-shouting everyman, embodied lazy, loving fatherhood and workplace incompetence with endless memorable mishaps.

A cartoon character named Homer Simpson relaxes on a couch, holding a can of Duff beer.

1. Stewie Griffin (Family Guy)
Stewie Griffin, the diabolical baby genius with a British accent, plotted world domination and matricide while delivering sophisticated insults and slapstick violence in a pint-sized package.

A cartoon character with a round head, small body, and wearing red overalls with yellow shirt, standing with one hand in pocket and smirking.

As the 2015 Fox special TV’s Funniest Animated Stars: A Paley Center for Media Special reached its electrifying conclusion, Stewie Griffin—the pint-sized mastermind from Family Guy—was revealed as the fan-voted #1 funniest animated star, a bold (and divisive) upset over timeless giants like Homer Simpson and Bugs Bunny that underscored the power of irreverent adult animation in the Nielsen poll. In a perfectly meta and mischievous wrap-up, Stewie himself “took the stage” via a custom animated clip (voiced by Seth MacFarlane), delivering one of his signature diabolical monologues laced with sophisticated snark and world-domination threats, bidding farewell to viewers while plotting his next scheme—effectively closing the two-hour tribute with a wink to Family Guy‘s chaotic charm and leaving audiences laughing at the audacity of crowning a baby villain the ultimate icon of TV comedy. This cheeky finale not only celebrated the winner but encapsulated the special’s blend of nostalgia, satire, and boundary-pushing humor, proving that even in a sea of legends, Stewie’s evil genius stole the final spotlight.

Scottweisbrot1317

Hi everyone my name is Scott, I live on Long Island and I'm the CEO of Autisticana.org. I love to explore life and go on interesting journeys. I'm a Special Olympics Athlete. I enjoy going to the Beach, Bowling, watch sports, taking pictures and listen to different genres of todays music.