Since being renewed for its monumental fifteenth season, FX's highly successful and critically acclaimed series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has become the longest-running live-action comedy show in US history. Loved the world over for its cast of despicable characters, hilarious writing, and transgressive tone - it continues to remain fresh and vibrant over sixteen years later.
With a lifespan of over 150 episodes, there have been many characters appearing throughout the run of the show. While very few characters in the world of It's Always Sunny are truly good people, some members of Paddy's Pub and their sphere of supporting cast members can be looked up to more than others.
10 Is: Charlie Has A Work Ethic That Everyone Should Aspire To
Charlie is without a doubt the most innocent and hardworking member of The Gang. Whether it is in his role as a janitor at Paddy's, where he is responsible for all of the "Charlie Work," or his creation of a full-length musical, Charlie can always be counted on... as long as you keep him away from the glue.
His work may be backbreaking, but Charlie does it without complaining, and without him, Paddy's would no doubt fall apart. Probably the character who would be easiest to get along with in real life, Charlie is the one we all wish we could add to our own group of friends.
9 Isn't: Rickety Cricket Serves As A Warning To Stay Away From The Gang
The change in Rickety Cricket from a clergyman to a homeless drug addict just goes to show what a corruptive influence The Gang has on those around them. The worst part about it is that he doesn't even seem to mind.
Proof that just being around The Gang is bad for your health, their willingness to use and abuse Cricket for their amusement or to perpetuate one of their dastardly schemes shows that, sometimes, gaining acceptance by a group just isn't worth it.
8 Is: Fatty Magoo Shows Us To Leave High School Behind
Ingrid "Fatty Magoo" Nelson is proof that you can find great success in life after leaving the trappings of high school behind. A successful fashion designer, Fatty Magoo is not interested in The Gang's attempts to involve her in their schemes and turns them away at every stage.
One of the best things that It's Always Sunny does is show audiences how dangerous being stuck in a high school mentality can be, with the trappings that come along with such a mindset being the genesis for most of The Gang's immaturity and problems. Fatty Magoo shows us that there is life after high school and that it is often best to just move forward and grow up.
7 Isn't: The Waitress Depends On A Stalker To Keep Her Life Together
Whether or not The Waitress's life has been made better or worse by her connection to The Gang is up for debate, but one thing is for sure; she is certainly not somebody that can be viewed as a role model. While Charlie's obsessive stalking of her borders on the terrifying, the fact of the matter is that he has dedicated his life to making hers better - even if she doesn't want him to.
Charlie's clandestine interferences in The Waitress's life keep her from falling completely off the deep end, and after he moves on from her and gives up his pursuits, she becomes a mess.
6 Is: Ben The Soldier Is A Genuinely Nice Person Who Can't Be Corrupted By The Gang
Possibly the purest character in all of It's Always Sunny, Ben seems happy just to be taken along for the ride. First meeting Dee through an online dating service, she quickly realizes that he isn't quite what she expected and throws him to the side, but she doesn't seem averse to calling him back up whenever the need arises.
The world would be a better place if everybody was as easy-going as Ben, and although he is played by Dee time and time again, he eventually catches on to her personality and moves on - something that Rickety Cricket must wish he had done years prior.
5 Isn't: Dennis Is Probably A Serial Killer, And Definitely Unhinged
The most narcissistic member of The Gang, Dennis displays many deplorable tendencies from sociopathic behavior to manipulation and even misogyny. His archive of homemade sex tapes and collection of sinister "tools" in the trunk of his car also shows that there may even be something much darker than we see on the surface lurking beneath his character.
A emotionally stunted, selfish, and needy person, Dennis is somebody that no one should aspire to be like. The fact that the rest of the gang tolerates his behavior just goes to show to extent of his conniving, self-centered, and manipulative ways.
4 Is: Dee Is A Victim Of Circumstance, With Ambition And A Never-Give-Up Attitude
While not free from guilt, and far from pure, Dee is the one member of the group whose personality has been corroded the most from within the inner circle. Starting in Season 1 as the voice of reason, she quickly fell victim to the group's follies herself.
Slowly twisting into being just as bad as the rest of them, it has made for an incredibly hilarious and captivating viewing experience, but beneath the surface, Dee has never let go of those original dreams of being a star. While these needs may manifest themselves into her becoming deluded and obnoxious, at least she has never given up, and that is a character trait that is to be celebrated in anybody.
3 Isn't: Bill Ponderosa Has Destroyed His Family Through Selfishness And Drug Use
Another one of The Gang's high school buddies that has fallen into depths of depravity, Bill is a drug-addled, neglectful father and unfaithful husband. His car-crash personality and terrible homelife would make him an incredibly undesirable figure to have around, but as the show has continued, and he has spiraled further down, audiences are glad that he is there.
As a character, Bill is brilliant in showing The Gang an example of "well, at least we're not that bad" whenever they begin to doubt their morality, no matter how rare that may be. As long as Bill is still around, you know that chaos and destruction are not far behind, as well as laughs aplenty.
2 Is: Mac's Self-Acceptance Make Him One Of TV's Biggest Heroes
Rob McElhenney's performance of Mac has been one of the greatest character arcs in all of sitcom history and sets It's Always Sunny apart from its peers. From his origins as a deluded, homophobic man-child, to his weight gain and subsequent shredding, to his eventual coming-out and acceptance of himself, the story of Mac has been a captivating and hilarious rollercoaster.
Arguably the breakout star of the show, Mac is a great example of how people can change, grow into themselves, and come to accept who they are. And for that, he should be applauded.
1 Aren't - Frank Has Been On A Destructive Spiral Since Day One - And Keeps Going
Since appearing in Season 2, Frank has gone from a self-assured, well-to-do, rich, and successful businessman to living in squalor, platonically sharing a bed with Charlie, and involving himself in more and more sick and twisted schemes.
Willing to get involved in anything, be it sleazy sex, drug use, manipulation, or even violence; Frank is a wild, unpredictable force of nature that is not only dangerous to be around but is also likely to get you a lengthy prison sentence just for knowing him.