4. Fry
Phillip J. Fry, as the main protagonist, is by far the most important character in Futurama, for if he didn't get frozen on new year's eve 1000 years ago, we wouldn't have this glorious insight into what the future will behold. An outcast in his own time, Fry instantly fit in with the countless number of freaks and weirdos living in New New York in the year 3000. Fry is the sort of guy everyone would want for a best friend. And that sort of person is somebody who always wanted a robot for a best friend. He's a hilarious, TV-addicted slobbish idiot with a heart of gold. He is the anchor for the sitcom; we see the future through his eyes and he teaches futuristic oddballs about our time, which is unfortunately quite dull in comparison. He is also one half of the most interesting will they, won't they romances, as we all wish for him to finally get lucky with the love of his life, Leela the cyclops. His story of his life in the future has seen him become a robot ('Insane in the Mainframe'), change identity ('Bender's Big Score'), and even become a woman ('Neutopia'). Fry is one of the most loveable in television history, and hopefully isn't gone forever just yet.
Voiced by: Billy West
First appearance: Episode 1 of season 1 'Space Pilot 3000' shows Fry get frozen and transported to the the year 3000, kickstarting the story of Futurama, leading to hilarity and cult followings ever since.
Greatest episode: A near enough impossible task, it's fairer to label this as a favourite, and so I pick the seventh episode of the first season - 'My Three Suns'. Whilst on a routine delivery on a planet that has three suns, the dehydrated Fry drinks a bottle of strange blue liquid, which turns out to be the emperor of the planet. Having assassinated the emperor, he then becomes the new leader, but his life is soon cast into danger.
Finest line: 'My Three Suns' "That's the saltiest thing I've ever tasted. And I once ate a big, heaping bowl of salt!"