10 Iconic TV Characters Who Only Appeared In One Episode
These characters didn’t shine for long, but they certainly shone bright.
Sometimes, all it takes is one episode for a character etch a place in our hearts. We’re used to TV characters sticking around and taking us on a journey, so when we just get a tiny dose of them, it can be that much more special.
All ten of these characters featured in hugely popular shows already teeming with great regulars, yet still managed to shine. They’ve become a massive part of their show’s fandom, despite such a fleeting appearance.
It’s a testament to the character themselves and the actors behind them, but also to the shows as a whole. Not only that the writing could be so brilliant to create such a memorable character with such limited screen time, but also that the regulars are so malleable as to welcome in these brief cameos.
These are the sorts of characters are still talked about, long after their short appearance is over. Either because they had such a vital impact on the story, or just because they were such a scene stealing entertainer.
Either way, this ten prove you don’t need a huge amount of screen time to make a massive impact.
10. The Fingerlakes Guy - The Office
Jim Carrey is something special. He only appeared in The Office very briefly (the briefest of all the characters on this list, in fact), and still notched up a truly iconic performance.
The Fingerlakes Guy was one of the applicants to become Regional Manager, although he hardly seems fit to do the job. Given the poor quality of the other applicants though, it’s not like Fingerlakes Guy was the worst either.
Will Arnett, Ray Romano, Catherine Tate, James Spader plus regular cast members Rainn Wilson, Ed Helms and Craig Robinson all go for the job too. A lot of them give colossally terrible interviews, but none have the instantly hilarious impact of Jim Carrey’s Fingerlakes Guy.
So called because he’s actually in the Fingerlakes with his family, and only snuck away for the interview. His family think he’s off on a hike, and he’d better get back soon, before they get worried. “People disappear in the Fingerlakes.”
Carrey does well to stand out in an episode so packed with cameos, and without him Ray Romano might have made the cut himself. For how iconic the Fingerlakes Guy was though, he was impossible to leave out.