Can You Match the Minor '80s Character to Their TV Show?

Jacqueline Samaroo

Image: ABC

About This Quiz

Were you clowning around with Krusty or kicking ass with the A-Team?

With the original Golden Age of Television ending in the 1960s, the high culture that had dominated television programming at the time was starting to get phased out. The large audiences that had been drawn to television as a source of entertainment were now looking on expectantly as things began to shift, while most television networks were now being forced to change and adapt or fade away. While this change was somewhat controversial at the time, a decade or so later when the dust settled, the '80s resurgence of sitcoms, crime dramas and action series all paved the way for some of the most iconic television shows of all time!

Everyone remembers the leading men and women and the main characters that they played on some of our favorite '80s shows; but what about the side characters? In this quiz, we're going to see if you can correctly match these minor characters to their '80s TV shows! From comic relief characters like Kimmy Gibbler on "Full House" to badasses like Detective Trudy Joplin on "Miami Vice," these minor characters helped to flesh out the worlds of these TV shows and make them come to life. 

So, do you think that you're a retro TV aficionado? Then let's get started!

This is a picture of which TV show’s minor character?

"The Dukes of Hazzard" is an action-comedy television series that aired from 1979 to 1985. Deputy Enos Strate was Daisy’s love interest and a friend of the Dukes. He was portrayed by Sonny Shroyer.

This character is from which '80s sitcom?

"Full House" is a sitcom that aired from 1987 to 1995. Rebecca Katsopolis was a love interest and later wife of Jesse Katsopolis. She was portrayed by Lori Loughlin.

This is an image of which TV show’s character?

"ALF" is a sitcom that aired on NBC, centered around a sarcastic extraterrestrial and a suburban middle-class family. Trevor Ochmonek was a Master of Arts graduate and a Korean War veteran. He was portrayed by John LaMotta.

Which TV sitcom’s character is showcased in this photo?

"Cheers" is a sitcom that aired on NBC from 1982 to 1993. Nick Tortelli was a minor character on the show, portrayed by Dan Hedaya. He was eventually featured in the spin-off show, "The Tortellis."

This minor character is from which '80s show?

"Happy Days" is a sitcom that aired on ABC and spanned 11 seasons. Jenny Piccalo, Joanie's best friend on the show, was portrayed by Cathy Silvers.

This clown is part of which famous animated show?

"The Simpsons" is an animated sitcom that began airing at the tail end of the '80s. Krusty the Clown was one of the first side characters on the show. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta, who is the voice of several other characters on the show as well.

Which popular show included this female character?

"Cheers" is a sitcom that aired on NBC from 1982 to 1993. Loretta Tortelli was a minor character on the show, portrayed by Jean Kasem. She was eventually featured in the spin-off show, "The Tortellis."

Can you identify the TV show that featured this pooch?

"The Dukes of Hazzard" is an action-comedy television series that aired from 1979 to 1985. Flash is a lazy basset hound that is owned by Sheriff Rosco Coltrane.

Which TV show included this family member?

"The Wonder Years" is a coming-of-age comedy-drama television series that aired from 1988 to 1993. Karen Arnold is the hippie older sister of the main character Kevin. She is portrayed by Olivia d'Abo.

Can you identify the show that corresponds to this minor character?

"MacGyver" is an action-adventure television series that starred Richard Dean Anderson as the title character. Jack Dalton was a soldier of fortune and MacGyver’s comical best friend; he was portrayed by Bruce McGill.

Which TV show’s character is in this photo?

"Star Trek: The Next Generation" is a science-fiction television series that was the first live-action Star Trek television series since "Star Trek: The Original Series." Wesley Crusher was the son of Beverly Crusher and he was portrayed by Wil Wheaton.

Can you identify the TV show that corresponds to this character?

"Magnum, P.I." is a crime drama television series that aired from 1980 to 1988. Lt. Yoshi Tanaka was a homicide-division police lieutenant with the Honolulu police department, and he was portrayed by Kwan Hi Lim.

Which TV show’s character is in this image?

"The Cosby Show" is a sitcom that aired from 1984 to 1992. Lt. Martin Kendall was a Navy officer, husband of Denise Huxtable, and father of Olivia; he was portrayed by Joseph C. Phillips.

Do you know the name of the animated show that includes this character?

"The Simpsons" is an animated sitcom that began airing at the tail end of the '80s. Charles Montgomery Burns is the evil, greedy and wealthy owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant; he was originally voiced by Christopher Collins.

Which TV show’s character is shown here?

"The Wonder Years" is a coming-of-age comedy-drama television series that aired from 1988 to 1993. Wayne Arnold was Kevin's older brother who regularly tormented Kevin and Paul; he was portrayed by Jason Hervey.

Can you correctly name the TV show that corresponds to this character?

"Three’s Company" is a sitcom that aired for eight seasons on ABC. Larry Dallas was Jack Tripper’s best friend and a used car salesman; he was portrayed by Richard Kline.

Which TV show’s character is showcased in this image?

"Married... with Children" is a sitcom that aired from 1986 to 1997. Marcy Rhoades D'Arcy was a feminist and environmentalist; she was portrayed by Amanda Bearse.

This is a photo of which comedy’s character?

"Three’s Company" is a sitcom that aired from 1977 to 1984 and revolves around three single roommates. Terri Alden was a registered nurse on the show that was portrayed by Priscilla Barnes.

What is the name of the TV show that corresponds to this character?

"The Golden Girls" is a sitcom that aired from 1985 to 1992. Stanley Zbornak was Dorothy's cheating, freeloading ex-husband who left her for a young flight attendant; he was portrayed by Herb Edelman.

Do you remember which sitcom this minor character is from?

"Happy Days" is a sitcom that aired from 1974 to 1984. Ashley Pfister was a divorced mother who becomes Fonzie's steady girlfriend until they later break up; she was portrayed by Linda Purl.

This is a picture of which action show’s character?

"The A-Team" is an action-adventure television series that aired from 1983 to 1987. Amy Allen was an intrepid reporter for the L.A. Courier paper, portrayed by Melinda Culea.

Can you match this character to his show?

"MacGyver" is an action-adventure television series that aired from 1985 to 1992. Pete Thornton was MacGyver's boss and best friend on the show, portrayed by Dana Elcar.

This is an image from which TV show?

"The Dukes of Hazzard" is an action-comedy television series that aired from 1979 to 1985. Cooter Davenport is the Hazzard County mechanic and is nicknamed "Crazy Cooter"; he was portrayed by Ben Jones.

Which TV show’s character is this?

"Married... with Children" is a sitcom that aired from 1986 to 1997. Jefferson D'Arcy was a pretty-boy scam artist and Marcy’s second husband; he was portrayed by Ted McGinley.

Which action show is featured here?

"Knight Rider" is an action television series that aired on NBC from 1982 to 1986. Devon Miles is the leader of F.L.A.G., an organization that provided mission details to Knight and KITT; he was portrayed by Edward Mulhare.

Can you identify the TV show that includes this cartoon character?

"The Simpsons" is an animated sitcom that began airing at the tail end of the '80s. Grampa Simpson is the father of Homer Simpson and the grandfather of Maggie, Lisa and Bart Simpson.

Which TV show’s character is this?

"Miami Vice" is a crime drama series that aired from 1984 to 1990. Detective Trudy Joplin was Gina's patrol partner, and she was portrayed by Olivia Brown.

Can you identify the TV show that had this quirky character?

"Taxi" is a sitcom that focused on the everyday lives of a handful of New York City taxi drivers. Simka Dahblitz-Gravas eventually marries Latka, a lovable mechanic; she was portrayed by Carol Kane.

Which TV show’s character is in this picture?

"Knight Rider" is an action television series that aired on NBC from 1982 to 1986. Dr. Bonnie Barstow was KITT's chief technician, and she was portrayed by Patricia McPherson.

Which '80s show included this character, played by a famous funny woman?

"Star Trek: The Next Generation" is a science-fiction television series that was the first live-action Star Trek television series since the original "Star Trek." Guinan was an El-Aurian bartender in the ship's Ten Forward Lounge; she was portrayed by Whoopi Goldberg.

Which TV show’s character is this?

"Magnum, P.I." is a crime drama television series that aired from 1980 to 1988. Theodore "T.C." Calvin runs a local helicopter charter service called "Island Hoppers"; he was portrayed by Roger E. Mosley.

Can you identify the TV show that featured this future star?

"The Cosby Show" is a sitcom that aired from 1984 to 1992. Olivia Kendall was Denise Huxtable's precocious stepdaughter, and she was portrayed by Raven-Symoné.

Which TV show’s character is in this image?

"Family Ties" is a sitcom that aired from 1982 to 1989. Irwin Handelman was Alex's best friend, often referred to as “Skippy”; he was portrayed by Marc Price.

Can you identify the TV show that corresponds to this character?

"Star Trek: The Next Generation" is a science-fiction television series that aired from 1987 to 1994. Lwaxana Troi was Deanna Troi's mother and Betazoid ambassador for the United Federation of Planets; she was portrayed by Majel Barrett.

Which TV show’s minor character is showcased here?

"The Golden Girls" is a sitcom that aired from 1985 to 1992. Miles Webber was Rose's professor boyfriend from season 5 onward, and he was portrayed by Harold Gould.

Which TV show’s character is shown here?

"Miami Vice" is a crime drama series that aired from 1984 to 1990. Detective Gina Calabrese was a fearless female detective that was portrayed by Saundra Santiago.

What is the name of the TV show that corresponds to this character?

"Full House" is a sitcom that aired from 1987 to 1995. Kimmy Gibbler was an annoying next-door neighbor and D.J.’s best friend; she was portrayed by Andrea Barber.

Do you recognize this character’s TV show?

"Family Ties" is a sitcom that aired from 1982 to 1989. Ellen Reed was Alex's feminist artist girlfriend on the show. The actress, Tracy Pollan, also married Michael J. Fox, who played Alex, in 1988.

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