Top 10 Nerdy TV Characters

My favorite part of TV is the many annoying nerds that we've grown to love. It takes a special actor to pull it off, someone who is willing to be typecast for the rest of their career.

Most of them say they wouldn't have it any other way.

The Top Ten

Sheldon Cooper - The Big Bang Theory

Sheldon Lee Cooper, Ph.D., Sc.D., is a fictional character in the CBS television series The Big Bang Theory, portrayed by actor Jim Parsons. Sheldon is known for being highly intelligent in scientific matters but socially inept.... read more

Does he ever stop thinking? Science comes easy for him. However, doing the laundry, driving, dating, and eating out are big obstacles for Dr. Cooper.

Does he have a unique mind? I'm serious. He's the smartest TV character I ever met!

The funniest nerd that everybody loves.
Steve Urkel - Family Matters

Steven Quincy Urkel is a fictional character from the American sitcom Family Matters, which aired on ABC and later CBS. Portrayed by Jaleel White, he was originally intended to appear in only one episode. However, he became the show's most popular character and eventually the central figure.

He badly needs a clothing makeover. Those pants just kill me. I hated to see Urkel grow up.

I like all the destruction he has made.
Adam F. Goldberg - The Goldbergs

Adam F. Goldberg is the epitome of the family nerd.
Compared to his family, though, Adam is fairly sane. Erica is the stubborn, smart-mouthed, rebellious older sister. Barry is the emotionally unstable loudmouth middle child. Beverly is the ultimate overbearing "smother" who makes the lives of her kids' teachers a living hell, while Murray is the Philadelphia Eagle obsessed loaf of a dad.

Adam is the ultimate nerd.
Most voters on this list only think he's normal because his family consists of an emotionally unstable older brother, a rebellious older sister, a cheapskate dad, an overbearing helicopter mom, and a granddad who's young at heart.
Alan Harper - Two and Half Men

I can't help feeling sorry for him, and at the same time, rooting for him to do something right, just once. He thought it would be sexy to start smoking a pipe and ended up burning down Lindsey's house. He decided to romance Melissa while at the same time hosting an "Open House." He smoked weed in bed with her mother while she went out for pizza. You never know what he will do next.
Pee Wee Herman - The Pee Wee Herman Show

Pee-wee Aloysius Herman is a fictional comic character created and portrayed by American comedian Paul Reubens. He first appeared in the late 1970s and became widely popular through stage shows, films, and the television series Pee-wee's Playhouse. The character is known for his quirky behavior, childlike... read more

The Peter Pan of modern times. Paul Rubens does a good job of keeping Pee Wee young at heart.
Niles Crane - Fraiser

If the voice of a nerd had a name, it would be Niles. His melodic voice describes the many problems he faces with his rich and snobby wife, Maris.
Al Bundy - Married With Children

Al Bundy is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the American television series Married. . with Children, played by Ed O'Neill. He is a disgruntled shoe salesman who is often portrayed as cynical and bitter. The show aired from 1987 to 1997 and became a cult classic.

This down on his luck simpleton keeps the laughs coming, along with a great ensemble cast.
George Costanza - Seinfeld

George Louis Costanza is a fictional character in the American television sitcom Seinfeld. He is portrayed by actor Jason Alexander. George is known for his neurotic behavior, self-deprecation, and close friendship with the show's main character, Jerry Seinfeld.

Could anyone have more problems than George? He keeps himself busy creating problems for himself, his friends, and his parents.
Mussolini Millhouse Van Houten - The Simpsons

He is the target of every bully in town, including Bart.
Ray Barone - Everybody Loves Raymond

Dude had absolutely no game at all and could be extremely awkward, especially around beautiful women. Just watch the episode "The Apartment" and you will know what I am talking about.

The Newcomers

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Spence Olchin - The King of Queens
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Cody Lambert - Step by Step

The Contenders

Carlton Banks - The Fresh Prince of Bel Air

He is such a lovable nerd. Who doesn't love Carlton's dorky dance?
Bill Nye - Bill Nye the Science Guy

William Sanford "Bill" Nye, popularly known as Bill Nye the Science Guy, is an American science educator, television presenter, and mechanical engineer. He gained fame in the 1990s through his educational television program "Bill Nye the Science Guy." Nye continues to advocate for science literacy and... read more
Tim Taylor - Home Improvement

Tim is always thinking, planning, and plotting his next project. They know him by name when he visits the ER after his many explosions and mishaps.
Betty Suarez - Ugly Betty

Cool smart gal that shows brains can be beautiful as well as necessary to achieve success.

A fish out of water.
Eric Forman - That '70s Show

Eric Albert Forman is a fictional character in Fox Network's That '70s Show, portrayed by Topher Grace. Eric is based on the adolescence of show creator Mark Brazill and serves as the central character for much of the series. He is known for his sarcasm, awkwardness, and complicated relationship with... read more

The dude always talked about Star Wars.

Let's face it, Eric was a huge nerd.
The Tenth Doctor - Doctor Who
Franklin Mumford - My Wife and Kids

"Any who," how was this kid not in the list from the start?
Carol Seaver - Growing Pains

Yes, she was really nerdy about her grades and studying, while Mike never studied enough.
Ami Mizuno - Sailor Moon
Maurice Moss - The IT Crowd
Danny Tanner - Full House

He was a huge clean freak, and he tended to ramble on and on at times.
TJ Henderson - Smart Guy
Robert Barone - Everybody Loves Raymond
Arthur - Arthur

Arthur Timothy Read is the titular protagonist of both the book series and the PBS children's television show Arthur, created by Marc Brown. The show debuted in 1996 and ran until 2022, becoming one of the longest-running children's animated series. Arthur is an eight-year-old aardvark navigating school... read more
Steve - American Dad!