So, without further ado, here are our picks for the 50 greatest sidekicks of all time.

Michael Endelman

49.

He’ll even give Earl a swirly if it means his brother can cross something off his list.

50 Best Sidekicks

Samwise Gamgee in ‘The Lord of the Rings’; Chewbacca in ‘Star Wars’; Robin in ‘Batman’.Credit:Pierre Vinet/TV Guide/Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection; Mary Evans/LUCASFILM/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection; Bettmann Archive/Getty

And who can blame Randy if he’s sometimes sidelined by a paralyzing fear of chickens?

They do seem like nasty birds.

Tim Stack

48.

Old School, Patrick Cranshaw | Sidekick to: The guys of Lambda Epsilon Omega Old School (2003) The late character actor Pat Cranshaw finally found a breakout role in 2003 as

Patrick Cranshaw as Blue in ‘Old School’.DreamWorks Pictures

Fred ‘‘Rerun’’ Stubbs,What’s Happening!!

(197679)

Photofest

Sidekick to: Roger ‘‘Raj’’ Thomas

He wasn’tWhat’s Happening!!

That would have to be Dee, who spoke in that devastatingly hilarious monotone.

Jason Lee, Ethan Suplee, … | Sidekick to: Earl J. Hickey My Name Is Earl (2005-09) My Name Is Earl ’s title character has made a lot of mistakes, but keeping

Ethan Suplee as Randy Hickey and Jason Lee as Earl on ‘My Name Is Earl’.Paul Drinkwater

Shirley the waitress and dim-bulb Dwayne (‘‘Nuh-huh’') were both funnier too.

Wook Kim

47.

Wook Kim

46.

Sidekick to: Roger ‘‘Raj’’ Thomas What’s Happening (1976-79) He wasn’t What’s Happening!! ’s funniest character. That would have to be Dee, who spoke in that

Fred Berry as Rerun on ‘What’s Happening Now!!'.Photofest

But Bender wasn’t entirely without an empathy chip.

Josh Wolk

45. Who else fuels his boss’ God complex?

Who else digs up the fresh corpses?

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Raiders of the Lost Ark, … | Sidekick to: Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) ‘‘Asps. Very dangerous.’’ Peering down into a darkened ancient chamber known as the Well of

John Rhys-Davies as Sallah in ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’.Paramount Pictures/Lucasfilm

Most importantly, who else flips the giant switch?

Marty Feldman’s bug-eyed hunchback-in-denial brought new life to the mischievous character inMel Brooks’Young Frankenstein.

His loyalty and quick one-liners were nothing short of “abby-normal”…in a good way.

Futurama | Sidekick to: Fry Futurama (1999-2013) Sure, a selfish, larcenous, beer-swilling robot whose catchphrase is ‘‘Bite my shiny metal ass’’ might not seem the optimal friend

Bender on ‘Futurama’.Fox

Jeff Labrecque

44.

Never mind that the whiny-but-lovable New Waver receives one of cinema’s cruelest heave-hos.

Nicholas Fonseca

43.

Image

Marty Feldman as Igor in ‘Young Frankenstein’.Everett Collection

Giant Turtle Boy!)

so he could fight alongside the Man of Steel.

Is that a sidekick sacrifice or what?

Sidekick to: Andie Pretty in Pink (1986) He pesters, he jesters, he lip-syncs to Otis Redding’s ‘‘Try a Little Tenderness’’ — all in the name

Jon Cryer as Duckie in ‘Pretty in Pink’.Everett Collection

Vary

42.

Charles Curtis

41.

They were practically made for each other.

Sidekick to: Clark Kent/Superman Superman franchise (1938-present) On the big screen, Daily Planet photographer and cub reporter Jimmy Olsen is relegated to playing Clark’s (and

Jimmy Olsen comic book cover.DC Comics

‘‘Yes, Piglet?

‘‘‘‘Nothing,’’ said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw.

‘‘I just wanted to be sure of you.’’

Jeff Garlin, Larry David, … | Sidekick to: Larry David Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-present) Would Curb Your Enthusiasm ’s Larry be able to make a complete mess of any awkward situation

Larry David and Jeff Garlin on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’.MITCH HADDAD/WARNER BROS.

Allyssa Lee

40.

This Regal Beagle horndog was truly man’s best friend.

Kristen Baldwin

39.

Piglet’s Big Movie | Sidekick to: Winnie-the-Pooh Winnie the Pooh franchise (1926-present) Piglet is timid, skittish, and self-conscious; Pooh’s oblivious, adventurous, and rumbly-in-my-tumbly goofy. They were made for each

Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet.Everett Collection

Whether dispatching demons or explaining an esoteric film title, Bob can be counted on to save the day.

Erin Richter

38.

1, Mama Lorelai (Lauren Graham).

Sidekick to: Jack Tripper Three’s Company (1977-84) Three’s Company ’s Jack Tripper had to sublimate his heterosexual urges to keep Mr. Roper happy, but his

Richard Kline as Larry Dallas on ‘Three’s Company’.Everett Collection

Tim Gunatilaka

37.

Tim Stack

36.

Neil Drumming

35.

Sidekick to: Jay Kevin Smith films (1994-present) Is it the weed or divine patience that keeps this portly, man-(of-few-words)-servant mellow enough to stand by the

Kevin Smith as Silent Bob and Jason Mewes as Jay in ‘Dogma’.Everett Collection

Jennifer Armstrong

34.

Ken Tucker

33.

‘‘But where are we gonna find two idiots to help us?’’

Keiko Agena, Gilmore Girls | Sidekick to: Rory Gilmore Gilmore Girls (2000-07) Lane rocks the sidekick role in a distinctly Gilmore Girls fashion: She brings the wit and pop culture

Keiko Agena as Lane Kim on ‘Gilmore Girls’.Patrick Ecclesine

one of them wonders.

Cut to the front door swinging open, followed by a nasally ‘‘Hell-ohh!’’

They were the originaldumb and dumber greasier than a garage floor.

Sidekick to: David Letterman Late Night With David Letterman, Late Show With David Letterman (1982-present) For more than three decades, this Canadian has been Letterman’s

Paul Shaffer.Everett Collection

Wook Kim

32.

1 hits without his guitar-playing partner in rhyme?

Clark Collis

31.

Mos Def, Martin Freeman, … | Sidekick to: Arthur Dent Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (1979) As practical as a towel and as dependable as the automobile he accidentally named himself

Mos Def as Ford Perfect and Martin Freeman as Arthur Dent in ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ (2005).Laurie Sparham

May you party on, most noble Garth!

Erin Richter

30.

Keith Richards, The Rolling Stones

Sidekick to: Mick Jagger

TheStonesneededSir Keithof the Blackened Teeth.

Sidekick to: Alice Alice (1976-85) Without Flo, Alice’s whole heart-and-soul-of-Mel’s Diner routine would be one big yawn. Polly Holiday’s sexy (not beautiful, and all the

Polly Holiday as Flo on ‘Alice’.Foto Fantasies

Tom Sinclair

29.

He’s definitely the guy you want in your corner when involved in a case of mistaken identity.

Tim Stack

28.

The Flintstones | Sidekick to: Fred Flintstone Flinstones franchise (1960-69) The Flintstones was conceived as the prehistoric Honeymooners , which makes Barney the Norton (see No. 8 )

Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble from ‘The Flintstones’.Everett Collection

Melissa Rose Bernardo

27. always cocked and ready to let fly, usually at an inappropriate moment.

Josh Wolk

26.

The Supremes, Diana Ross & the Supremes

David Farrell/Redferns/Retna

Sidekicks to: Diana Ross

Peanut butter and jelly.

David Lander, Michael McKean, … | Sidekicks to: Laverne de Fazio and Shirley Feeney Laverne & Shirley (1976-83) An episode of Laverne & Shirley usually went something like this: Sitting in

Michael McKean as Lenny and David Lander as Squiggy on ‘Laverne & Shirley’.Everett Collection

All of these things can be enjoyed separately, but are better taken together likeDiana Rossand herSupremes.

Still, it was never the same, was it?

Tom Sinclair

25.

Sidekick to: Daryl Hall Hall & Oates John Oates brought far more to white-soul hit machine Hall & Oates than just Tom Selleck’s spare mustache

Daryl Hall and John Oates of Hall & Oates.Peter Mazel/Retna

Paul Katz

24.

Rhoda was the sass to Mary’s spunk, the head scarf to Mary’s beret.

She was so beloved that she transcended sidekick status and scored a show of her own.

Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, … | Sidekick to: Wayne Campbell Saturday Night Live, Wayne’s World movies (1989-present) He is the geeky naïf-jester in the cable-access court of his best friend (and

Mike Myers as Wayne Campbell and Dana Carvey as Garth Algar.Everett Collection

Jessica Shaw

22.

With his mellow manner, the blank-faced Pedro doesn’t exactly light up the screen inNapoleon Dynamite.

A landslide victory for ‘‘Vote for Pedro’’ T-shirts.

Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, … | Sidekick to: Mick Jagger The Rolling Stones The Stones needed Sir Keith of the Blackened Teeth. Admit it: Mick’s autocratic airs would be wholly unbearable

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones.Barry Schultz/Retna

Michael Endelman

21.

Vary

20.

He’s hanging on for dear life, smoking pot, and offering (im)moral support.

John Goodman, The Big Lebowski | Sidekick to: Jeffrey ‘‘The Dude’’ Lebowski The Big Lebowski (1998) The Big Lebowski character may be a little unstable and have questionable taste in fashion,

John Goodman as Walter Sobchak in ‘The Big Lebowski’.Everett Collection

Dan Snierson

19.

Ken Tucker

18.

Paul Katz

17.

Sidekick to: Prince Hal (1 Henry IV and 2 Henry IV) Originally in William Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1 , and throughout film, music, and

Orson Welles as Falstaff in ‘Chimes at Midnight’.Everett Collection

Nisha Gopalan

16.

Timothy Gunatilaka

15.

Andrew Ridgeley, Wham!

The Larry Sanders Show, Garry Shandling, … | Sidekick to: Larry Sanders The Larry Sanders Show (1992-98) On The Larry Sanders Show , he was never more than a couch’s length away, with

Jeffrey Tambor as Hank Kingsley and Garry Shandling as Larry Sanders on ‘The Larry Shanders Show’.Everett Collection

Sidekick to: George Michael

To the untrained ear, Andrew Ridgeley seemed to contribute so little to Wham!

Who’s the punchline now?

Clark Collis

14.

Sidekicks to: Diana Ross Diana Ross & the Supremes Peanut butter and jelly. Ham and cheese. Spaghetti and meatballs. All of these things can be

From left: Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, and Diana Ross of Diana Ross & the Supremes.David Farrell/Redferns/Retna

Grubby, even criminal, tasks come easily to the unabashedly ungallant Sancho.

Ben Spier

13.

Michael Endelman

12.

Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel | Sidekick to: Paul Simon Simon & Garfunkel Granted, Paul Simon wrote the majority of the songs, played lead guitar, and received all the accolades —

Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Donkey is the friend who lovesShrekenough to make the monster love himself.

For that, we heart him even though he can sometimes be an ass.

Gilbert Cruz

11.

Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, … | Sidekick to: Pete ‘‘Maverick’’ Mitchell Top Gun (1986) He’s smart and honest and has a wit that travels at Mach 1. But it’s only after

Anthony Edwards as Goose and Tom Cruise as Maverick in ‘Top Gun’.Everett Collection

Without Hermione’s brains, Harry would never know which herb or incantation to use.

Well, he and the Weasley clan provide Harry with the one thing he needs the most: family.

Gilbert Cruz

10.

Sidekick to: Mary Richards The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-77) Rhoda didn’t start out as sidekick material. Indeed, her first words to Mary were ‘‘Get

Valerie Harper as Rhoda Morgenstern.Everett Collection

No, I’m like Butch Cassidy, and Michael is like Mozart.

Dan Snierson

9.

Whatever his role, Tattoo gaveFantasy Islandyet another layer of mystery.

Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez, … | Sidekick to: Napoleon Dynamite Napolean Dynamite (2004) The odd Mexican out in an Idaho high school, he is the cool yin to Napoleon’s tempestuous yang.

Jon Heder as Napoleon and Efren Ramirez as Pedro in ‘Napoleon Dynamite’.Aaron Ruell

Da plane!'’?

Wook Kim

8.

Ben Spier

7.

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit | Sidekick to: Wallace Wallace and Gromit franchise (1989-present) ‘‘Loyal’’ doesn’t even begin to describe the depth of Gromit’s canine devotion. For the sake of his

Wallace and Gromit.DreamWorks Animation SKG/Aardman Animations Ltd.

Samwise Gamgee, J.R.R.

As Frodo’s stouthearted servant, Sam of the Shire is the archetypal companion.

He’s devoted (see J.R.R.

Jerry Ferrara | Sidekick to: Vincent Chase Entourage (2004-11) Wherever Entourage A-lister Vincent goes, mad money, hot babes, and his Queens posse follow. But while Eric is the

Jerry Ferrara as Turtle on ‘Entourage’.Claudette Barius

Sam will call you on it).

Despite constantly rising to the orc-chasing, giant-spider-battling, Middle-earth-saving occasion, Sam still ends up the second fiddle.

And the humble halfling gardener wouldn’t have it any other way.

Don Knotts, Andy Griffith, … | Sidekick to: Andy Taylor The Andy Griffith Show (1960-68) As deputy of Mayberry, N.C., in The Andy Griffith Show , the soda-straw-thin and easily rattled

Andy Griffith as Sheriff Taylor and Don Knotts as Barney Fife on ‘The Andy Griffith Show’.Everett Collection

Mandi Bierly

6.

Would Holmes’ thunderclap insights resonate without that sturdy Watsonian sounding board?

More to the point: Who’d tell the story in the first place?

Sidekick to: Conan O’Brien Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, Conan (1993-present) Roly-poly comedians belong to one of two schools:

Andy Richter and Conan O’Brien.Everett Collection

The great detective is a bit of a calculating machine; Watson’s his link to our species.

Holmes may deduce the who, what, when, and where, but Watson gives us thewhy.

Scott Brown

5.

Sidekick to: Buffy Summers Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) The once-mousy No. 2 behind Buffy’s hottie superhero, Willow (a nerd-cool pioneer) tempered the vampire slayer’s

Alyson Hannigan as Willow on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’.EVERETT COLLECTION

Nicholas Fonseca

4.

Whitney Pastorek

3.

George Costanza,Seinfeld(199098)

Kobal Collection

Sidekick to: Jerry Seinfeld

Loyal.

The Simpsons | Sidekick to: C. Montgomery Burns The Simpsons (1989-present) The dutiful electron to Mr. Burns’ evil proton, The Simpsons ' Smithers takes devotion to new subatomic

Waylon Smithers from ‘The Simpsons’.Matt Groening

These words describe the finest sidekicks.

They do not describe George Costanza (Jason Alexander).

So what is it that keeps him on Jerry’s speed dial?

Sidekick to: George Michael Wham! One of pop culture’s great punchlines, Ridgeley seemed to contribute so little to Wham! that ‘‘Wake Me Up Before You

Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael of Wham!.Alan Davidson/Globe

That’s better than nothing.

Wook Kim

2.

2 of all timeand the source of all cape-and-tights homoeroticism.

Peter O’Toole | Sidekick to: Don Quixote de la Mancha Don Quixote , throughout film, music, and theater (1605-present) Quixote may be the star of Miguel de Cervantes’

James Coco as Sancho Panza and Peter O’Toole as Don Quixote in ‘Man of La Mancha’ (1972).Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

Armchair analysis aside, he’s a perfect No.

2 template: helping No.

pow!the bad guys, getting captured (or killed) when it suits No.

Sidekick to: Howard Stern The Howard Stern Show (1981-present) A supportive and ego-boosting sidekick in the vein of (who else?) Ed McMahon, Robin has stood

Howard Stern and Robin Quivers.Lisa Rose/Globe

1’s story line, and, most importantly, letting No.

1 get all the glory.

Scott Brow

1.

Shrek 2 | Sidekick to: Shrek Shrek franchise (2001-present) Donkey has more than his share of unattractive qualities. He talks too much, is (unsurprisingly) stubborn, and has the

Donkey in ‘Shrek 2’.Dreamworks

‘‘Here’s Johnny!

That’s what friends and sidekicks are for.

Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, … | Sidekicks to: Harry Potter Harry Potter franchise (1997-2012) When you’re a teenage wizard pursued by an evil warlock who killed your parents, it helps to

From left: Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley in ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’.Murray Close

Sidekick to: Michael Scott The Office (2005-13) Part sycophant, part disciplinarian, all pain in the ass, The Office ’s Dwight is so eager to serve

Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute on ‘The Office’.Paul Drinkwater

Sidekick to: Mr. Roarke Fantasy Island (1978-83) We never understood the relationship between Mr. Roarke and Tattoo. Yes, they obviously shared the same amazing tailor

Richardo Montalbán as Mr. Roarke and Hervé Villechaize as Tattoo on ‘Fantasy Island’.Everett Collection

Sidekick to: Ralph Kramden Cavalcade of Stars, The Honeymooners (1951-56) The Honeymooners ' happy-go-lucky sewer worker serves as a scrawny omega to his rotund, irascible

Art Carney as Ed Norton and Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden on ‘The Honeymooners’.ScreenScenes

Sean Astin, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | Sidekick to: Frodo Baggins J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings series (1954-present) Why is good ol’ Sam so indispensable? Because Mr. Frodo’s hairy hobbit

Sean Astin as Samwise Gamgee in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’.Piere Vinet

Sidekick to: Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes franchise (1887-present) Who can ignore the good doctor’s contributions to the sidekick community? Would Holmes’s thunderclap insights resonate without

Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson in ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon’.Everett Collection

Sidekick to: Lucy Ricardo I Love Lucy, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (1951-60) Without Ethel to bail her out of trouble each week on I Love

Lucille Ball as Lucy Ricardo and Vivian Vance as Ethel Mertz on ‘I Love Lucy’.ScreenScenes

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi | Sidekick to: Han Solo Star Wars franchise (1977-present) With a gentle growl questioning Han’s decision to abandon the Rebels in Episode IV , he spoke

Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca in ‘Star Wars: Episode VI — The Return of the Jedi’.LucasFilm

Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, … | Sidekick to: Jerry Seinfeld Seinfeld (1990-98) Loyal. Dependable. Generous. These words describe the finest sidekicks. They do not describe George Costanza. Jerry’s pal was known

Jerry Seinfeld and Jason Alexander (as George Costanza) from ‘Seinfeld’.Kobal Collection

Sidekick to: Johnny Carson The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962-92) To say it’s fitting that a former carnival barker would become the guy who

Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon.Illustration by BLK/MRKT