Children have always been an integral part of television history, from The Andy Griffith Show's Opie Taylor to Steve Urkel on Family Matters. That said, younger characters are continually sidelined, even in programs centered around them. For example, despite Millie Bobby Brown's prominent role in Stranger Things, Winona Ryder and David Harbour still appear ahead of her in the opening credits.
On a positive note, kids on television are slowly getting the recognition they deserve. Although the concept of charisma isn't traditionally associated with children, TV characters are an entirely different ball game. Even the youngest actors can worm their way into the audience's heart with nothing more than a cheeky grin and a sassy catchphrase.
10 Michelle Tanner Is A Poster-Kid For Eighties Television
Full House
One of the most iconic sitcoms of the 1980s, Full House owes a lot of its whimsical charm to its youngest character. Played by twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Michelle Tanner rapidly gained popularity over the course of the first season.
Best known for bubbly catchphrases like "you're in big trouble, mister!," "aw nuts!," and, "you got it, dude," Michelle became Full House's unofficial emblem and a poster kid for eighties television. That said, Michelle's mischievous temperament works best in conjunction with DJ's adolescent pangs and Stephanie's rebellious streak.
9 Cindy Brady Is Unquestionably The Show's Stand-Out Character
The Brady Bunch
All six kids in The Brady Bunch are equally endearing, but Cindy Brady is the show's stand-out character. Susan Olsen's performance has been widely praised, earning her a permanent place on the pedestal of pop culture. Although Cindy isn't the perfect child; for example, her family has to teach her not to "tattle" on her siblings, she knows how to use her intrinsic cuteness to get what she wants.
Cindy's most memorable features include her pigtail braids, not to mention her adorable obsession with the idea of becoming world-famous. An adult version of Cindy appears on The Bradys, but the sequel series was cancelled before it could further develop her character.
8 Alex Alvarez Is The Very Essence Of Cool
One Day At A Time
One Day at a Time is a masterfully crafted program based on the 1970s TV show of the same name. The central family in this modern rendition is Cuban-American, offering a radically new viewpoint within the context of single parenthood. Played by Marcel Ruiz, Alex Alvarez is the very essence of charisma.
Although he's considerably cooler than his sister Elena, Alex regularly supports her nerdy hobbies, proving just how much he cares about her. Unlike the vast majority of his peers, he doesn't allow his popularity to get in the way of spending time with his family. Alex is the living embodiment of Mark Twain's quote on confidence: "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear."
7 Bill Haverchuck's Goofy Persona And Unbridled Passion Make Him Endearing
Freaks & Geeks
Martin Starr's role as Silicon Valley's Gilfoyle couldn't be more different from his first-ever TV character, the goofy Bill Haverchuck on Freaks & Geeks. Where Gilfoyle is a pseudo-Satan-worshipper with a penchant for snarky comebacks, Bill is a bumbling geek who struggles to find his place in the school's hierarchy.
His amiable persona is camouflaged under several layers of insecurity, but Sam and Neal are usually capable of bringing their best friend out of his shell. Bill's athletic ambitions may not make sense to some viewers, but his unbridled passion is certainly relatable.
6 Lily Tucker-Pritchett Is Probably One Of The Sassiest Children In TV History
Modern Family
Haley, Alex, Luke, Manny, and Joe are eminently likable, but they're not half as charismatic as their adopted cousin/niece. Modern Family's Lily Tucker-Pritchett is one of the sassiest children in TV history. While it's unclear where she gets her devastating sarcasm from, her general attitude towards life is a reflection of her parents.
Lily often mimics the adults around her, particularly her foul-mouthed Aunt Claire, much to Cam & Mitch's chagrin. However, the actress who portrays her, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, is more than a copycat. She won a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance, becoming the youngest person to achieve this landmark.
5 Evan Huang Is By Far The Cutest Of The Bunch
Fresh Off The Boat
Eddie and Emery are adorable in their own special ways, but their little brother Evan is by far the cutest of the bunch. Ian Chen's captivating portrayal of this hyper-intelligent character earned him a place on The Hollywood Reporter's "Top 30 Stars Under 18" list.
Evan Huang is unconventionally mature for his age, explaining why his mother Jessica expects him to become a "Doctor/President." Despite his self-discipline, Evan occasionally indulges in nonsensical hijinks with his older brothers. Considering his eventual graduation from Harvard University, there's no doubt he's going to do great things one day.
4 Louise Belcher Overshadows Her Siblings' Eccentricities In Every Imaginable Way
Bob's Burgers
Gene's melodramatic personality and Tina's lovably awkward tendencies make Bob's Burgers a delightful viewing experience. However, their sister, Louise, overshadows their eccentricities in every possible way. Although only nine years old, she displays a level of intellect akin to a criminal mastermind.
While Louise thoroughly enjoys pranking her family and siblings, she doesn't mean them any harm, even if her behavior says otherwise. Bob and Linda Belcher are adequate parents, but their youngest daughter is far too crafty for them to discipline. Louise is voiced by the iconic Kristen Schaal of Bojack Horseman fame.
3 Wednesday's Popularity Paved The Way For Future Generations Of TV Children
The Addams Family
Cartoonist Charles Addams, the creator of The Addams Family, described Wednesday as a "child of woe" who enjoys "picnics and outings to the underground caverns." There have been several versions of this character since her first appearance in The New Yorker, including Christina Ricci's critically acclaimed performance in The Addams Family (1991) movie.
Wednesday is relatively less weird in the 1960s TV show, but her hobbies are nevertheless quirky. She raises spiders as pets and draws pictures of trees studded with decapitated heads. Wednesday's popularity inevitably paved the way for future generations of TV children.
2 Dewey Wilkerson Is The Most Charming Member Of His Family
Malcolm In The Middle
As much as he'd like to believe otherwise, Malcolm isn't the most charming member of his family. That honor goes to Dewey Wilkerson, who's just as smart as his supposedly genius brother, if not smarter. Malcolm in the Middle treats all its characters with equal importance, but Dewey's sophisticated thought process and charismatic nature set him apart from everyone else on the show.
Forged in the crucible of brotherly bullying, Dewey is forced to develop self-preservation mechanisms to protect himself. Dewey is also a musical prodigy, arguably on par with classical greats like Mozart and Beethoven.
1 Bart, Lisa & Maggie Are Pop-Cultural Icons In Their Own Right
The Simpsons
All three Simpsons children are pop-cultural icons in their own right, offering audiences three unique perspectives into the world they inhabit. Bart's recalcitrant behavior can be traced back to his father's negligent parenting, Lisa relies on her wisdom to escape her social limitations, whereas Maggie doesn't need words to speak volumes.
Nancy Cartwright, who provides Bart's voice, stated how he's "a really good boy," unlike "characters who followed him such as Cartman (South Park)." Furthermore, Lisa's voice actress, Yeardley Smith, won a Primetime Emmy Award for her role. And finally, Maggie may not be as accomplished as her older siblings, but fans will always remember the time she shot Mr. Burns.