Sidekicks have been a mainstay in popular fiction since Achilles and Patroclus or more recently, James Bond and Felix Leiter. For the purposes of my list, I shall limit my sidekicks to these criteria: the listed sidekicks will be friends and/or close companions who accompany or follow the main protagonist on his or her adventures or exploits; the sidekick is generally regarded as a subordinate and sometimes as a comic relief or foil counterpoint. I do not list any male-female duos, for I have not witnessed any such team that has not had at least some romantic undertone as opposed to the "pure" sidekick standard. Let me first list a few names who could be considered sidekicks, but will not be referred to as such here.
Lou Costello, of the comedy team Abbott and Costello. As an equal on the team (or better if you're counting laughs), I do not think of this man
as a mere sidekick. I'm sure Abbott's character does and that makes him a sidekick internally, but not in the realm of external judgment.
Spock, of Star Trek fame. Again, he is referred to as a sidekick in various publications, but I cannot quite see him that way despite his sub-ordinate military rank. Kirk is definitely not Spock's superior in any meaningful manner.
The Skipper, from Gilligan's Island. Since an argument could be made for either the Skipper or Gilligan being the other's sidekick, I feel obliged to rule them both out.
I am not including characters who are supporting characters, but not sidekicks, e.g. Chuck Laylo from Doonesbury, Mr. Drysdale from The Beverly Hillbillies--great characters, but not sidekicks. Finally, I am excluding pairs who might have been considered sidekicks in some other "sidekick list". Martin's friends Tommy and Cole and Richie's pals Ralph and Pottsie are ineligible. At this point, you may be saying, "Gee Whiz...who's on the list?" Okay, I say 'gee whiz', you probably don't. In any case, let's start at the top this time...
Literary Sidekicks
1. Archie Goodwin Nero Wolfe's friend and man Friday who is instrumental in solving the big guy's cases
2. John Watson serves a similar role to Sherlock Holmes; also tells Holmes' tales
3. Sancho Panza Don Quixote's buddy and fellow horseman
4. Huckleberry Finn Tom Sawyer's pal who had one of the earliest 'spinoffs' and acquired his own sidekick, Jim (about whose relationship
many essays and critiques have been written)
5. Nick Carraway Gatsby's admirer and biographer
Super Heroes' Sidekicks
1. Robin, the Boy Wonder Batman's partner(and ward) My favourite portrayal: Burt Ward of the 60s television series--unequivocally
2.Jimmy Olsen, reporter friend and sidekick to Superman and to Clark Kent (if your best friend put on or took off eyeglasses, would you still recognize your friend? I'm just asking)
3. Rick Jones Marvel Comics' teen sidekick for hire; he befriended the Hulk, Captain America and a couple of others
4. Bucky, Captain America's original teenaged partner in the forties
5. Toro another forties' sidekick and crime fighting partner (of The Human Torch)
Western Sidekicks
Television and movie (and radio) western heroes were known for having sidekicks who often provided comic relief as well as somebody to rescue from time to time. The exceptions to these formulaic sidekicks were:
1. Artemus Gordon, my favourite sidekick from my favourite show, The Wild Wild West. "Artie" was a scientific genius who invented weapons and tools in the 1880s, many of which would be ahead of our time in 2010. Ross Martin was a great Artemus Gordon; Kevin Kline was very good in Silverado, but not very good in The Wild Wild West film.
2. Tonto, the Native American partner of the Lone Ranger. Tonto appeared on radio, television and the big screen. He was featured in comic books and comic strips. He fought, rode and rescued people(including the Lone Ranger). Tonto was not your ordinary sidekick.
One of my favourite jokes has the Lone Ranger and Tonto surrounded on four sides by members of the Sioux, the Apache, the Mohawk and the Commanche tribes. The Lone Ranger says to Tonto, "I think we're in trouble." Tonto looks at him and says, "What do you mean, WE, paleface?"
Now for some more standard western sidekicks:
Roy Rogers had Pat Brady (& Nelly Belle)< Andy Devine and Gabby Hayes
Gene Autry had Smiley Burnette
Hopalong Cassidy had "California"
Marshal Matt Dillon had Chester Goode and Festus on his television show
The Cisco Kid had Pancho
Zorro had Bernardo
Actors such as Walter Brennan, Slim Pickens and Buddy Ebsen made careers playing sidekicks for most of their film lives.
Television Sidekicks
1. Kato the Green Hornet's assistant and driver. Bruce Lee's portrayal of Kato in the 60s series was so dynamic and overwhelming that only die hards even remember who played the Green Hornet. How many sidekicks can whip their bosses? Just asking?
2. Ethel Mertz Lucy's best friend and tag along fall girl
3. Barney Fife another character who ended up dominating the screen...Mayberry's deputy to Sheriff Andy Taylor
4. Gus Psych's inimitable sidekick to funnyman fake psychic Shawn
5. Hawk from the books to the small screen, Hawk was Spenser's friend and go-to guy when things got tough
6. Ed Norton Ralph Kramden's pal from The Honeymooners
7. Rhoda the first one of Mary's friends who had her own spinoff series
8. Maynard Dobie Gillis' beatnik friend who redefined laziness in the person of Bob Denver
Countess Vaughn should be recognized as one of the great sidekicks for her portrayal of Kim Parker on two sitcoms. In 187 episodes of Moesha and The Parkers, respectively , she was funny every time I watched her (no, I did not see every episode)
Similarly, Stacey Dash played the same sidekick role (Dee) in the movie and television versions of Clueless.(no additional comment)
Movie sidekicks are not as prevalent these days unless there are sequels involved. It is difficult to have a sidekick who truly displays an important role and exudes his/her own independent character in a single film. Morgan Freeman has played a number of strong supporting roles, but dare I call them sidekick roles? Perhaps this is true only to Costner's Robin Hood. I can think of two characters who fulfill the sidekick requirements :Mini-Me of Austin Powers' movies, a pretty funny guy, and Silent Bob
Under other circumstances, Goose, sidekick to Maverick in Top Gun could have made the list.
Arsenio Hall, Rue McClanahan, Jackee Harry...good sidekick people; but how about Jerome, Morris Day's valet? He's one of the best!
Ed McMahon is famous for being the quintessential sidekick. He introduced Johnny Carson in the oft emulated manner he made famous. Then he sat with Johnny and the Tonight Show guests and laughed whenever Johnny told a joke . I'm not knocking it...they say that the hardest part to play is 'second fiddle'.
Cartoon Character Sidekick Countdown
honourable mentions: Wimpy, Lothar and Sideshow Bob
8. Tinker Bell (Peter Pan)
7. Odie (Garfield)
6. Jiminy Cricket (Pinocchio)
5. Baba Looey (Quick Draw McGraw)
4. Pinky (The Brain)
3. Boo Boo (Yogi Bear)
I do not really like seeing a tie for first place on lists, especially my own lists. But, I cannot decide this time. Both of these characters have an iconic presence. They are both funny and silly and often important to the leading characters. They have both been around for decades
--Jughead Jones (Archie Andrews' best friend) and Barney Rubble (Fred Flintstone's best friend) Help me out and cast a vote...
(special note: Bullwinkle was Rocky's sidekick at the onset, but he reversed the relationship on our rodent friend)
Before closing, I must mention that the greatest true life example of a sidekick (to my knowledge) is James Boswell. Boswell devoted much of his life to following, assisting and chronicling the life of Samuel Johnson. Johnson is famous for writing his dictionary in 1775. As a noted essayist, poet and lexicographer, Samuel Johnson was a man who probably deserved a biography. However, as time passed, the biography itself became more famous than the man in many circles .James Boswell is not famous for being a lawyer and scholar, but for writing about Johnson. In fact, the word 'Boswelian' was coined from Boswell's name. Its meaning is: constant companion; observer.
If anybody out needs a biographer, I can be Boswelian...oh, yes I can. So long for now.
Lou Costello, of the comedy team Abbott and Costello. As an equal on the team (or better if you're counting laughs), I do not think of this man
as a mere sidekick. I'm sure Abbott's character does and that makes him a sidekick internally, but not in the realm of external judgment.
Spock, of Star Trek fame. Again, he is referred to as a sidekick in various publications, but I cannot quite see him that way despite his sub-ordinate military rank. Kirk is definitely not Spock's superior in any meaningful manner.
The Skipper, from Gilligan's Island. Since an argument could be made for either the Skipper or Gilligan being the other's sidekick, I feel obliged to rule them both out.
I am not including characters who are supporting characters, but not sidekicks, e.g. Chuck Laylo from Doonesbury, Mr. Drysdale from The Beverly Hillbillies--great characters, but not sidekicks. Finally, I am excluding pairs who might have been considered sidekicks in some other "sidekick list". Martin's friends Tommy and Cole and Richie's pals Ralph and Pottsie are ineligible. At this point, you may be saying, "Gee Whiz...who's on the list?" Okay, I say 'gee whiz', you probably don't. In any case, let's start at the top this time...
Literary Sidekicks
1. Archie Goodwin Nero Wolfe's friend and man Friday who is instrumental in solving the big guy's cases
2. John Watson serves a similar role to Sherlock Holmes; also tells Holmes' tales
3. Sancho Panza Don Quixote's buddy and fellow horseman
4. Huckleberry Finn Tom Sawyer's pal who had one of the earliest 'spinoffs' and acquired his own sidekick, Jim (about whose relationship
many essays and critiques have been written)
5. Nick Carraway Gatsby's admirer and biographer
Super Heroes' Sidekicks
1. Robin, the Boy Wonder Batman's partner(and ward) My favourite portrayal: Burt Ward of the 60s television series--unequivocally
2.Jimmy Olsen, reporter friend and sidekick to Superman and to Clark Kent (if your best friend put on or took off eyeglasses, would you still recognize your friend? I'm just asking)
3. Rick Jones Marvel Comics' teen sidekick for hire; he befriended the Hulk, Captain America and a couple of others
4. Bucky, Captain America's original teenaged partner in the forties
5. Toro another forties' sidekick and crime fighting partner (of The Human Torch)
Western Sidekicks
Television and movie (and radio) western heroes were known for having sidekicks who often provided comic relief as well as somebody to rescue from time to time. The exceptions to these formulaic sidekicks were:
1. Artemus Gordon, my favourite sidekick from my favourite show, The Wild Wild West. "Artie" was a scientific genius who invented weapons and tools in the 1880s, many of which would be ahead of our time in 2010. Ross Martin was a great Artemus Gordon; Kevin Kline was very good in Silverado, but not very good in The Wild Wild West film.
2. Tonto, the Native American partner of the Lone Ranger. Tonto appeared on radio, television and the big screen. He was featured in comic books and comic strips. He fought, rode and rescued people(including the Lone Ranger). Tonto was not your ordinary sidekick.
One of my favourite jokes has the Lone Ranger and Tonto surrounded on four sides by members of the Sioux, the Apache, the Mohawk and the Commanche tribes. The Lone Ranger says to Tonto, "I think we're in trouble." Tonto looks at him and says, "What do you mean, WE, paleface?"
Now for some more standard western sidekicks:
Roy Rogers had Pat Brady (& Nelly Belle)< Andy Devine and Gabby Hayes
Gene Autry had Smiley Burnette
Hopalong Cassidy had "California"
Marshal Matt Dillon had Chester Goode and Festus on his television show
The Cisco Kid had Pancho
Zorro had Bernardo
Actors such as Walter Brennan, Slim Pickens and Buddy Ebsen made careers playing sidekicks for most of their film lives.
Television Sidekicks
1. Kato the Green Hornet's assistant and driver. Bruce Lee's portrayal of Kato in the 60s series was so dynamic and overwhelming that only die hards even remember who played the Green Hornet. How many sidekicks can whip their bosses? Just asking?
2. Ethel Mertz Lucy's best friend and tag along fall girl
3. Barney Fife another character who ended up dominating the screen...Mayberry's deputy to Sheriff Andy Taylor
4. Gus Psych's inimitable sidekick to funnyman fake psychic Shawn
5. Hawk from the books to the small screen, Hawk was Spenser's friend and go-to guy when things got tough
6. Ed Norton Ralph Kramden's pal from The Honeymooners
7. Rhoda the first one of Mary's friends who had her own spinoff series
8. Maynard Dobie Gillis' beatnik friend who redefined laziness in the person of Bob Denver
Countess Vaughn should be recognized as one of the great sidekicks for her portrayal of Kim Parker on two sitcoms. In 187 episodes of Moesha and The Parkers, respectively , she was funny every time I watched her (no, I did not see every episode)
Similarly, Stacey Dash played the same sidekick role (Dee) in the movie and television versions of Clueless.(no additional comment)
Movie sidekicks are not as prevalent these days unless there are sequels involved. It is difficult to have a sidekick who truly displays an important role and exudes his/her own independent character in a single film. Morgan Freeman has played a number of strong supporting roles, but dare I call them sidekick roles? Perhaps this is true only to Costner's Robin Hood. I can think of two characters who fulfill the sidekick requirements :Mini-Me of Austin Powers' movies, a pretty funny guy, and Silent Bob
Under other circumstances, Goose, sidekick to Maverick in Top Gun could have made the list.
Arsenio Hall, Rue McClanahan, Jackee Harry...good sidekick people; but how about Jerome, Morris Day's valet? He's one of the best!
Ed McMahon is famous for being the quintessential sidekick. He introduced Johnny Carson in the oft emulated manner he made famous. Then he sat with Johnny and the Tonight Show guests and laughed whenever Johnny told a joke . I'm not knocking it...they say that the hardest part to play is 'second fiddle'.
Cartoon Character Sidekick Countdown
honourable mentions: Wimpy, Lothar and Sideshow Bob
8. Tinker Bell (Peter Pan)
7. Odie (Garfield)
6. Jiminy Cricket (Pinocchio)
5. Baba Looey (Quick Draw McGraw)
4. Pinky (The Brain)
3. Boo Boo (Yogi Bear)
I do not really like seeing a tie for first place on lists, especially my own lists. But, I cannot decide this time. Both of these characters have an iconic presence. They are both funny and silly and often important to the leading characters. They have both been around for decades
--Jughead Jones (Archie Andrews' best friend) and Barney Rubble (Fred Flintstone's best friend) Help me out and cast a vote...
(special note: Bullwinkle was Rocky's sidekick at the onset, but he reversed the relationship on our rodent friend)
Before closing, I must mention that the greatest true life example of a sidekick (to my knowledge) is James Boswell. Boswell devoted much of his life to following, assisting and chronicling the life of Samuel Johnson. Johnson is famous for writing his dictionary in 1775. As a noted essayist, poet and lexicographer, Samuel Johnson was a man who probably deserved a biography. However, as time passed, the biography itself became more famous than the man in many circles .James Boswell is not famous for being a lawyer and scholar, but for writing about Johnson. In fact, the word 'Boswelian' was coined from Boswell's name. Its meaning is: constant companion; observer.
If anybody out needs a biographer, I can be Boswelian...oh, yes I can. So long for now.
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