Several years ago I compiled a list of 17 supporting players in the circus that is Pop Culture - exclusively the ones that remained in the shadow of the hero or villain they supported. They rarely appeared on a t-shirt or poster of their own and if they were lucky enough to get an action figure it was destined to collect the most dust. Today I bring you the oddly-numbered 17 more - not because I can, but because I should.
- Paul
Hollywood
Mannequin
If this list were 100 names long and ranked, Hollywood Montrose would be Number One. On its own it's a sweet, funny, and ridiculous movie, and Hollywood is the sweetest, funniest, and more ridiculous part of it. But more than that, his undying loyalty to our lead heroes is nearly unmatched in any other work of fiction.
Steve Gomez
Breaking Bad
You can count the entirely uncorrupted characters on this show on one hand, and Gomie is pretty close to the top. He may not have been as merciless or vigilant as his partner in crimefighting, but when his help was needed he gave absolutely everything.
Guy LeDouche
MXC
I can't say entirely "unsung" - there isn't a fan of this show that wouldn't sing his praises. And like everything else in MXC: I don't wanna know his real name or the name of whoever dubs his voice, I just want this world to be real and exist as is.
Geoff Peterson
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
I only watched a bit of it when it initially aired, but I've sacrificed many hours of sleep to the YouTube reruns of who I consider to possibly be the best late night talk show host and his gay robot skeleton crony. Thankfully that dynamic was not the one-note joke it could've been - the rapport between the two (and the guests) was always so casual and spontaneous that the gimmick almost became unnoticeable.
Trigger
Like Father, Like Son
You could probably guess someone's age by what they know Sean Astin best from, and that's because he has a resume of iconic roles. Even as a sidekick this probably wouldn't make anyone's list, but it's Trigger's innocent meddling that sets the entire plot in motion (which, in the end, brings our two leads closer together).
Nicky
Easy Money
Within the scope of the story, Nicky is the devil on the shoulder, presenting Monty (Rodney Dangerfield) with more obstacles than he would've otherwise endured. However, while his intentions were always selfish he was fundamentally right, and he's eventually validated for his help (or lack thereof).
Tony
Cobra
Lieutenant Cobretti may be the cure for crime but Sgt. Tony Gonzalez is the only one who's willing to help administer that medicine - a job that requires him to go to the same extremes as his partner, but also keeping him grounded by calling him "Marion" in front of his would-be girlfriend.
Mumbles
Dick Tracy
The fact that he folds under the heat so easily may not place him high on a scale of allegiance, but to the good guys he's a pretty reliable source for incredibly quick and concise exposition.
Jet Girl
Tank Girl
I didn't know Naomi Watts before this 1995 movie, which was probably the same for a lotta people. And like a lotta people I definitely remembered her afterwards; while Lori Petty's lead was the stuff of teenage fantasy, the shy and bespectacled Jet Girl was the hidden gem in this desert dystopia.
Dr. Wright
SimCity
I'm making up my own rules here: in this 1991 Super Nintendo version of the game that allows you to build your own cities, the only real characters are you the player (or "Mayor"), and Dr. Wright your financial advisor and sorta moral support cheerleader. So, he's your sidekick; there's probably only like 3 people who know what I'm talking about here but I'm sure they'd back me up.
Sam
Clarissa Explains it All
All the girls wanted him and all the boys wanted to be him. I certainly know I did - I would've loved to have any kinda friend at that age, but one as smart and cool as Clarissa? That's clearly the stuff of fiction - courtesy of Nickelodeon Studios.
Porky Pig
Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2th Century
He's only ever referred to as the "Eager Young Space Cadet" but I think we all know it's Porky. And such is the case as when anyone is paired with Daffy that they come out ahead as the smarter one, but also the calmer one; despite retaining his trademark stutter, Porky glides through this 1953 short with more coolness than even Bugs could.
Itzhak Stern
Schindler's List
I suppose we could also credit the actual historical figure -- in either case, there's no subtlety in the fact that Oskar was about the "presentation" but it was Stern who really did a lot of "the work", and Ben Kingsley plays him with a sort of meek humility that makes us feel like he's the real hero of the story.
Renfield
Dracula
He's clearly gotten a lot more press in recent years, but separate from spinoffs and origins I've always found him to be one of the most tragic characters of Fiction - a sane man fighting for his soul. Though as much as I hated Dead and Loving It I'll still defend Peter MacNicol as one of the best to do it.
Pagoda
The Royal Tenenbaums
Sometimes a sidekick doesn't really have much to offer other than the basic company of another human being - especially when no one else can stand you. Also we all need someone to give us a good stabbing now and then as a wakeup call.
Jay
Bachelor Party
His intentions were always noble. Or maybe they weren't, who cares - he only ever told groom-to-be Rick (Tom Hanks) what he wanted to hear, and who doesn't want that? More than anything he was this architect of this social gathering that, for the most part, ended up being a success.
Cora
Cookie's Fortune
There aren't too many great things about this lite Robert Altman comedy, but the best thing in it (and maybe her career) is Julianne Moore as the dimwitted, bumbling Cora (yes, Julianne bumbles). Technically a sister to Glenn Close's Camille, she's given the nearly-impossible task of going along with a fabricated story involving the supposed murder of her aunt. She clearly doesn't have the mental capacity to keep big secrets but her efforts are commendable - and hilarious.
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