10 best sitcom performances that raised the bar for TV comedy

Delivering some of the best sitcom performances is not an easy job. Comedy is one of the toughest genres and it is a rare moment when an actor completely embodies the role and makes it their own. However, over the years, there have been some remarkable and undoubtedly some of the best sitcom performances on television. These actors have elevated the role that they were given and have raised the bar for TV comedy. Therefore, here are 10 such best sitcom performances.

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Steve Carell as Michael Scott, Sofia Vergara as Gloria, and other best sitcom performances

1. Andrew Braugher as Captain Raymond Holt in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Created by Dan Goor and Michael Schur, this police procedural sitcom was known for its diverse cast and sensitive portrayal of LGBTQ+ issues. Not only was the show a laughter riot, it also dealt with some of the most important current issues and still managed to deliver comedy. The show focused on a group of New York Police Department officers who work under their new and stern commanding officer, Captain Raymond Holt. Played by Andrew Braugher, Holt has a no-nonsense attitude but has a heart of gold. As the first police officer to be openly gay, Holt carries himself with dignity and commands respect from his juniors. Braugher gives a scene-stealing performance as Holt and perfect the character’s deadpan delivery. As the show went on, Braugher brought a lot of depth to Holt and the actor has portrayed one of the best sitcom performances in modern times.

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2. Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean in Mr. Bean

Based on a character that Rowan Atkinson developed during his college days, this British sitcom is one of the most universally loved comedy shows. Created by Atkinson and Richard Curtis, Rowan Atkinson takes on the lead role as Mr. Bean, who is a non-verbal and hilarious individual who behaves like a child in an adult body. Atkinson truly made Mr. Bean global and his performance is not only one of the best sitcom performances but should be watched by everyone who is interested in physical comedy. The reason the show did so well universally is because there is no language barrier. From the slapstick comedy of the titular character to the inventive and hilarious situations that the character finds himself in, Atkinson has given an iconic performance and his portrayal is therefore one of the best sitcom performances of all time that has raised the bar for TV comedy.

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3. Steve Carell as Michael Scott in The Office

Developed by Greg Daniels and based on the UK version of the show in the same name, this mockumentary sitcom series received worldwide acclaim for its bunch of hilarious characters and their distinct comedy style. The show focuses on a group of office employees in Scranton, Pennsylvania, that work at the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. The show has many comedic characters but Steve Carell’s performance as the annoying and tone-deaf boss, Michael Scott, won universal acclaim and love from fans. The actor embodied the role of Scott and even though the show’s earlier seasons were modelled closely after his British predecessor, it was Carell’s distinct persona that allows the writers to diverge and create a unique character. Carell’s Scott is both socially inept and foolishly sweet. Scott thinks he is the world’s best boss but keeps on doing some shenanigan or the other. Carell’s performance is therefore one of the best sitcom performances.

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4. Annie Potts as Connie “Meemaw” Tucker in Young Sheldon

Created by Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro, this sitcom series is a spin-off prequel to The Big Bang Theory and focuses on the growing up years of Sheldon Cooper and the adventures that he and his family get into. The show received positive reviews for its lighthearted family comedy and the character of Meemaw or Connie, who is Sheldon’s maternal grandmother, received a lot of acclaim. Veteran actress Annie Potts embodies the role fully and gives an energetic spin to the character of Connie, who is a rebel at heart and does not believe in societal conventions for old people. Connie is one of the spunkiest characters on the show and whether it is about starting an illegal gambling room or loving her grandkids dearly, she is the perfect grandmother who can do it all. Potts delivers a scene-stealing performance and it is one of the best sitcom performances that one must watch.

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5. Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani in Friends

One of the most loved sitcoms around the world, this one is created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman and focuses on a group of six friends who are in their 20s and early 30s and live in Manhattan, New York City. The show captured the vibrancy of the youth as the six characters deal with challenges like family, love, friendship, and career. While all the six actors are known for their roles and loved greatly, Matt LeBlanc’s role as Joey has especially won the hearts of people around the world with his goofy and hilarious pride and one of the best sitcom performances. Joey is one of the most flexible characters on the show and is able to gel with everyone and anyone. From his shenanigans as a struggling actor to his newfound fame as a soap opera actor, LeBlanc channels the energetic and lively persona of Joey and makes him a distinct character. He therefore gives one of the best sitcom performances of all time.

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6. Sofia Vergara as Gloria in Modern Family

Created by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan, this sitcom series is filmed in a mockumentary style and revolves around the shenanigans of three diverse but interrelated family set-ups. The show was highly acclaimed by critics and fans alike and there are many memorable performances in the series by the cast members. However, one that stands out is that of Sofia Vergara’s as the Colombian trophy wife, Gloria, in the show. Vergara’s character could have been one-dimensional and lack any depth, however, the actress adds her own fervor and flavor to the role and makes it one of the best sitcom characters on television. From Gloria’s thick Latin American accent to her blissful unawareness to the magnetism she holds over other people, Vergara’s Gloria is truly one of the most interesting characters on the show. Gloria brings a dimension of diversity to the cast and highlights the stereotypes that Latin American people have to face. Vergara proves that she has great comic timing and she infuses her role with both hilarity and endearing-ness.

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7. Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Elaine in Seinfeld

One of the most famous sitcoms from the early 90s, this one is created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld and focuses on Seinfeld, who stars as a fictionalized version of himself. The show focuses on his personal and professional life along with his three friends in Manhattan’s New York City. The show is a popular part of pop culture and was loved by critics and fans alike. While the show was dominated by a male cast, it was Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Elaine, who was able to cut through this dominance with her character’s biting sarcasm and free-spiritedness and gave one of the best sitcom performances. Elaine represented the modern woman who was funny, smart, ambitious, and did not mind calling a spade a spade. Elaine could say anything at any moment and she was a minute observer of everyday human life. Louis-Dreyfus fully embodied the role and added her own quirks and eccentricities to it that made it so special. Her performances is therefore one of the best sitcom performances on TV.

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8. Lucille Ball as Lucy Ricardo on I Love Lucy

The sitcom that started it all, this black-and-white show from the 1950s truly expanded the scope of sitcoms and revolutionized comedy on television. Helmed by Lucille Ball, who plays the titular role of Lucy Ricardo, the show focused on her shenanigans as she tried to concoct various outlandish and hilarious plans with her friends and landlords and always tried to get her foot inside the show business. The sitcom proved that even housewives and homemakers can dream big and are not one dimensional. Ball embodied the role of Lucy and gave one of the best sitcom performances and the show was a worldwide phenomenon and is still a part of pop culture. From Lucy’s simple antics to her hilarious plans, Ball made Lucy endearing and adorable and therefore portrayed one of the best sitcom performances of all time.

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9. Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation

Created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, this political satire and mockumentary sitcom focuses on Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler, who is an upbeat mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks department of a fictional town of Indiana. The show was a hit and was known for its politically aware commentary. While the series has many interesting characters, the role of Ron Swanson, that is played by Nick Offerman, is one of the most popular and he offers one of the best sitcom performances. Offerman is indistinguishable from his role as he delivers one-liners in a grumpy and serious manner, which make the show even more hilarious. From Swanson’s libertarian take to his clashes with Leslie, Offerman truly embodies the role and is one of the most dedicated actors. His performance is therefore one of the best sitcom performances.

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10. Danny DeVito as Frank Reynolds in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

A sitcom with a dash of black comedy, this popular show is created by Rob McElhenney and focuses on the adventures of a narcissistic and sociopathic group of friends who run an Irish bar in South Philadelphia. The show inverts some of the character tropes in sitcoms as all the characters in the show don’t have any redeeming quality and often make questionable decisions. The show focuses on how the group spends their time drinking, arguing, and plotting against each other for financial gain, revenge, or boredom. While the show has an interesting bunch of characters, it is Danny DeVito’s Frank Reynolds, who enters the show in the second season, that becomes an instant hit. He is a dysfunctional father figure and soon becomes an epitome of gruesomeness. There is no redeeming factor in DeVito’s Reynolds as he is depraved and disgusting to the core. However, this role is not for the faint of heart and DeVito proves that he can take on some of the most hilarious and downright funny roles without any hesitation. One of the best sitcom performances on TV.