The 25 coolest TV characters of all time

Whether working for CTU or going rogue, nobody is more deadly and loyal to his country than Jack Bauer. Jack (Kiefer Sutherland) lived a hard television life and often lost those close to him. But he could be ruthless and relentless when taking down or terminating those trying to harm a colleague, friend, or family member.

NYPD homicide detective Kate Beckett is one of the most intelligent and strongest female characters in television history. Beckett (Stana Katic) has been through a lot in her life and faced death several times. Yet she's never been completely broken and should not be messed with.  

Like Kate Beckett, Sydney Bristow knows how to take care of herself. No job or challenge was too big for Sydney (Jennifer Garner). If there is a more potent, intelligent, and prepared female television character to handle any international crisis that comes her way better than Sydney, then we'd like to meet her. 

In some circles, young Seth (Adam Brody) is dubbed a "hot nerd." Seth just seemed like a cool guy to hang out with. He was not pretentious and snobby like other O.C. teens could be, and he was loyal. Seth was quirky, smart, a pop culture savant, and good for a laugh. He's also a devout supporter of the unique holiday known as Chrismukkah.

We'll make this a two-fer since Crockett (Don Johnson) and Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) were tied together during their TV lives. No shave, no socks, no problem. These dapper vice detectives were trying to rid the city of Miami of drug lords and other scum. They also possessed two of the best undercover aliases in TV history: Burnett and Cooper.

Flawed, immature, and abate, the woman known only as "Fleabag" (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) is also vulnerable, honest, and jaded, which makes her more appealing and attractive. The coolness element of television's most celebrated character from the last decade cannot be denied. 

Also known as "The Fonz" or "Fonzie," no television character during the late 1970s and into the '80s conveyed cool more than Arthur Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler). From his famed leather jacket, his knack at getting the jukebox at Arnold's to play with a punch, the thumbs up, or his ability to draw the ladies, The Fonz might be the all-time king of cool.

There is not much to be desired about Charlie (Charlie Sheen), yet he'll go down as one of the coolest characters in TV history. Charlie had a way with the ladies, but we would not necessarily call him a womanizer because most women he was with had their issues. The relatively calm, come-what-may demeanor also seemed pretty enviable.

Elaine liked to refer to Kramer as a "hipster doofus." That sounds about right, but there is also a certain assuming cool about Kramer (Michael Richards). He never held a steady job but had no trouble attaining money. His fashion sense and hairstyle were questionable, but Kramer did well with the ladies. He never tried to be cool, yet, oddly, he pulled it off brilliantly. 

What Lannister lacked in physical stature, he made up for with his sharp wit and cunning mind. Lannister (Peter Dinklage) also appears to be one of the few caring and loyal folks on Game of Thrones. "The Imp" is likable without thinking twice, and it is probably good to have him on your side.

Who says villains can't be cool? Probably those who never watched Omar Little (Michael K. Williams) do his thing. Omar was an organized stick-up king and criminal. He was smart, cunning, and had a conscience. There is plenty of depth to this character, and at times, it felt easy to root for Omar even if we knew it was probably not going to end well for him.

We are going back to the original 1985 Richard Dean Anderson vehicle. MacGyver did not like to use a gun but often had no trouble taking down the bad guys with his body or some other weapon he could put together. There might not be a more resourceful television character than MacGyver.

Vulnerable at times and unlucky in love, "Mac" is still one of the strongest female characters ever to grace a TV set. She's also extremely cool under pressure and most definitely in a courtroom. Mac (Catherine Bell) can hold her own in just about any situation, and no matter how much she's battered or broken down, she keeps popping back stronger than ever.

We're talking Tom Selleck here. How cool was this guy? One, he got to ply his trade as a private investigator in Hawaii. He had his signature Hawaiian shirt, short shorts, that trademark Detroit Tigers ball cap, and that nasty Ferrari. Guys in the 1980s wanted to be Mangum, and the ladies wanted to be with him. Oh, don't forget the mustache.

The former major league pitcher turned Boston bar owner, Sam (Ted Danson) had great hair and even greater success with the ladies. There was always something lovable about Sam because no matter how many women came in and out of his life, he was loyal to his friends. And we know his true love was that bar where everybody knows your name.

Carrie (Claire Danes) has sure seen a lot during her career with the CIA and beyond. Mathison has bipolar disorder disorder, and her significant other appears to be a terrorist. Despite all that she has to deal with, Carrie is somewhat of a role model, especially for those dealing with mental illness. She's strong-willed and capable of saving portions of the planet from potential destruction, making her cool enough to be revered in the television world.

Dex, a PTSD-plagued veteran turned private investigator, is a breath of fresh air. Dex (Cobie Smulders) struggles to keep her head above water but manages to get by. She throws in some well-timed wisecracks and fuels herself with beer and a fine retro music selection.

One has to admire those who tend to get what they want. That's Olivia, one of the most powerful women in television history. Pope (Kerry Washington) did it with flair and didn't mind taking down or stepping over whomever she needed to do it. 

Perhaps nobody is cooler under pressure than Hannibal (George Peppard), the leader of the famed commando outfit and a master of disguise who likes a good cigar and "loves it when a plan comes together." Nothing seems to rattle Hannibal, which is the hallmark of a leader. That only adds to the coolness factor of this beloved character.

Considering the way Tony made his livelihood, he was a pretty cool customer. Come on, the guy woke up every morning wondering if he would get whacked. Tony's life was far from morally ethical, and the relationship with his immediate and extended blood family was dicey. Yet Tony (James Gandolfini) cared and was loyal to those who served under him — most of the time.

Sure, he was a womanizer and coveted the "playbook," but the nattily clad yet morally adolescent Stinson had some of the best pick-up lines and quotes in TV history. Though Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) can be a social dog to the ladies, he is loyal to his friends and looking to be loved by someone.

How many people can balance school, friends, and killing vampires to keep the Earth spinning? Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) seemed to pull it off without a hitch. OK, maybe it was all too much to ask for a young woman to do at times, but Buffy was a battler. She was also a great friend and was literally willing to put her life on the line for those she cared about — or didn't even know, for that matter.

Robert Urich's Dan Tanna personified cool during the late 1970s and early '80s. For starters, the Las Vegas P.I. parked his car in his house, which actually was a glorified and renovated garage. The ladies also loved Dan, and he cared plenty for those around him. It's OK for middle-aged men today to admit they wanted to be like Dan Tanna back in the day.

Joey (Matt LeBlanc) might be a little slow and certainly not the brightest bulb in the bunch. But he's totally loyal, somehow able to make a living as an actor, and the best looking of the male "Friends." His famed "How you doin'?" should be up there with some of the best catchphrases in TV history.

This is another character with plenty of flaws but also one we kind of rooted for because his eventual illegal occupation of making meth was all about taking care of his family. White (Bryan Cranston) could also provide moments of subtle but brilliant comedy that only added to the entertainment factor of the character.