The 25 best TV sitcom neighbors

Since being introduced in the second season of the Tim Allen-led comedy vehicle, ex-Marine Chuck (Jonathan Adams) has had a hilariously pseudo-contentious relationship with down-the-block neighbor Mike Baxter (Allen). While their faux tension usually revolving around racial barbs, makes for good comedy, co-workers Chuck and Mike are the closest each other has to a best friend. Their initial meeting is still one of the long-running sitcom's best moments. 

Mr. Wilson (Joseph Kearns) often grew agitated with the antics of neighbor Dennis (Jay North). Truth be told, the two were fond of each other. It would not be a stretch to consider them best friends. Sadly, Kearns passed away in February 1962 after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage during the show's third season. 

Guess we can also include the Ropers and Mr. Furley (since they were landlords of the apartment building from the famed sitcom), though was it ever really established that they lived there? Larry (Richard Kline) certainly did. He was good friends with Jack (John Ritter), sold used cars for a living, and fashioned himself to be some sort of a ladies' man. Larry did well with the ladies but often made a fool of himself in that department.

Paul Benedict was quite brilliant as the simpleminded British neighbor to George and Louise. Mr. Bentley always meant well, even if he showed up at the most inopportune times. His humor was not on everybody's radar, but he dealt with often irate George, who had no problem throwing barbs his neighbor's way. Benedict's comic timing was good as one of the most memorable characters on the show.

The residents of Spooner Street in Quahog, R.I., and friends of Peter Griffin, more specifically, are highly entertaining. Cleveland is a mild-mannered, good guy who sometimes gets taken advantage of. Joe is a tough, paraplegic cop who does not let his disability get in the way of living his life to the fullest. Then there's Quagmire, the vile creep who is inappropriate but good for plenty of laughs. 

In the early seasons of this beloved ABC hit, Winnie (Danica McKellar) lived on the same block as series protagonist Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage). Eventually, Winnie and her family moved across town, but she remained an important part of Kevin's life as a friend, girlfriend, friend again, then girlfriend, and so on. That's what growing up is all about. Kevin and Winnie never stayed apart for too long. 

Heckles (Larry Hankin) was the downstairs neighbor of Monica (Courteney Cox) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston). He was an odd man. Disheveled hair, ratty brown bathrobe, and hated the noise the girls made from above. He said the cat the girls found during the blackout in Season 1 was his and claimed to play the oboe. He was also responsible for Joey (Matt LeBlanc) becoming roommates with Chandler (Matthew Perry). Sadly, Heckles died early in the show's run. 

One of a handful of folks on this list that earned a spinoff. Played by the late, great Cloris Leachman, Phyllis is Mary's nosey and arrogant neighbor. It's a wonder Phyllis's ego was big enough to fit inside the Twin Cities. Despite her controlling nature, she became a good friend to Mary. All that made for plenty of laughs and some heartwarming moments, too. The Phyllis spinoff, where she returned to her hometown of San Francisco as a widow, lasted two seasons.

Patty Poole (Edie McClurg) is your typical nosy sitcom neighbor. She's a busy body but also came through in a pinch when the Hogans needed help. Plus, she's a decent cook and might be more intelligent than she comes off. She was one of the most consistent characters during the hectic history of the series.

George (Sherman Hemsley), Louise (Isabel Sanford), and son Lionel (Mike Evans) were so good as the Bunkers' neighbors that they earned a spinoff: The Jeffersons. Most of the laughs were generated from Archie's (Carroll O'Connor) combative relationship with George. Archie's racist thinking was usually challenged by George, though the two had more in common than they thought. Louise and Edith (Jean Stapleton) were often the voices of reason.

Alice Pearce initially played the Stephens' nosy across-the-street neighbor. Following her death in 1966, veteran character actor Sandra Gould took over the role. Within Bewitched lore, Pearce's take on Gladys was considered the more well-received and funnier of the two. She actually got along with the Stephens family. She tried to convince her husband Abner that something strange was happening with Samantha and her family, but she could never prove it. 

Good Times was filled with memorable, scene-stealing characters. Ja'net Dubois's Willona, the neighbor of the Evanses, was known for her exuberant entrances, flashy style sense, and seemingly ever-changing hairdos. Her wise-cracking, sarcastic comedic interactions with the likes of J.J. (Jimmie Walker) and Mr. Bookman are what we remember and love most about the character. 

Two of the best supporting characters in television sitcom history that were not a couple. Greaser buddies Lenny (Michael McKean) and Squiggy (David Lander) were neighbors and friends of the show's female co-stars. They weren't too bright but kept us laughing with their fashion sense, goofiness, and their antics that went wrong or crazy ideas and schemes they wanted the girls to be part of performing. They also made up one of the worst TV bands of all time: Lenny and the Squigtones.

While we feature the Nortons as a couple, Ed (Art Carney) was the more prominent of this husband-wife team and neighbors/best friends of Ralph (Jackie Gleason) and Alice (played most famously by Audrey Meadows). Trixie (Randolph) shined at times, usually by putting Ed in his place, but she did not have the same dynamic with Alice that Ed had with Ralph. Some of the show's most memorable scenes came with Gleason and Carney at the forefront.

Played by Kaley Cuoco, Penny was the across-the-hall neighbor of Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki). She was more attractive and socially capable than her nerdy neighbors and their friends. That said, Penny's professional life was a struggle. Her social contrast to the men of the show is what made the series a monster hit for 12 seasons on CBS. She would eventually marry Leonard in Season 9.

The Rubbles were not only neighbors to Fred and Wilma Flintstones but best friends. Barney and Fred had their share of adventures, which were more like predicaments. While Fred was a hothead, Barney could be more toned down and somewhat flaky. Yet, he was always there for his buddy. Betty, meanwhile, was a less prominent version of Wilma; both like to spend money and were more intelligent than the men they married.  

Whether married to Steve in the early days of this groundbreaking Fox sitcom or during those later seasons while together with Jefferson, Marcy (Amanda Bearse) was a great friend to next-door neighbor Peg (Katey Sagal) but hated by her husband Al (Ed Neill). Marcy is a successful professional and staunch feminist, much to the chagrin of Al.

Mothers-in-law have often provided great comedic sitcom moments. Perhaps none did it better than the late Doris Roberts as Ray's mother, Marie, who lived across the street from her son and his family. Controlling, overbearing, and intrusive, Marie was the stereotypical TV mother-in-law. She doted on Ray — and to a certain extent on her other son, Robert — while subtly putting down daughter-in-law Debra's cooking, homemaking, and just about everything else. It seemed the only one who had any control over Marie was her wise-cracking husband, Frank (Peter Boyle).

No offense to Fred (William Frawley), but Ethel (Vivian Vance) was the true star of this neighborly best friend tandem to Lucy and Ricky. When Lucy (Lucille Ball) found herself in a classic comedy caper, Ethel was usually dragged along after her attempt to voice reason had failed. Fred had his moments, too, but the Ricardos' landlord often flew off the edge while still a good friend to Ricky (Desi Arnaz).

We touched on Phyllis earlier on this list, but when it came to Mary's true best friend in Minneapolis, it was her upstairs neighbor, Rhoda. Played by the late Valerie Harper, Rhoda was Mary's sassy, streetwise, and fashion-conscious sounding board. She was a partner in crime when it came to navigating the life of a single, professional woman in a big city. Like Cloris Leachman, Harper was rewarded with a spinoff: Rhoda, which spanned five seasons. 

Ned Flanders might be the most dependable and good-hearted neighbor on this list. Even if he is a goody-good, God-fearing, and friendly ("Hi-Diddly-Ho," "Okily Dokily"), Ned is the pillar of the Springfield community. Though he's a little square, Ned gets along with Homer. 

There are annoying neighbors. Then, there is Kimmy Gibbler (Andrea Barber). While she might have made life comedically miserable for the adults in the Tanner household, she was D.J.'s loyal best friend and played in a band with sister Stephanie. Not the brightest bulb in the shed, Kimmy made some questionable decisions but found a special place in the house and hearts of the Tanners. Enough so that she became a big part of the series sequel Fuller House.

Was there a sitcom neighbor more annoying and lovable at the same time than Steve Urkel (Jaleel White)? The nasally ("Did I do that?), in-your-face approach, and obsession with neighbor Laura Winslow (Kellie Shanygne Williams), were all traits owned by one of the most popular television sitcom stars of all time. Steve, however, had a lot of good in his heart. Though often ridiculed for his nerdy behavior and apparel, he was thoughtful, dependable, extremely intelligent, and a pretty good dancer.

From his energetic, memorable entrances into Jerry's apartment to those faulty schemes, there is no wackier, more entertaining neighbor than Kramer (Michael Richards). Some might consider Kramer annoying, but he's far from it. He's eccentric and goofy. A hipster doofus, as Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) likes to call him, Kramer somehow attracts women and, as George (Jason Alexander) stated, often "falls åss-backward into money" without really trying. Sounds like a pretty good life.

We kicked off this list with a Tim Allen sitcom and will end it with another. When it comes to lovable and memorable neighbors, Wilson (Earl Hindman) stands front and center — even if we never saw his whole face during the eight-season run of the popular comedy. The bottom half of his face was covered by the fence separating his house from the Taylor residence, or by a beard or even some paint, but the advice and wisdom that the knowledgeable Wilson offered to Tim and his family were valued. "Hi-dee-ho, neighbor."