- TV Series: Cheers
- Years: 1982-1993
Norm Peterson's wife, Vera, is a frequently mentioned but never seen character on the show Cheers. Norm often humorously remarks, "Vera wanted me to do [something], but I came here instead," highlighting his preference for spending time at the bar rather than fulfilling his wife's requests. Although Vera is a largely unseen presence, she did make a brief on-screen appearance during a Thanksgiving episode where her face was humorously covered in pie, maintaining the show's running gag of keeping her identity hidden.
- TV Series: Frasier
- Years: 1993-2004; 2023-present
Niles Crane's eccentric and wealthy wife, Maris Crane, is a character often talked about but never shown, adding an air of mystery and humor to her presence. Niles frequently describes Maris's peculiar habits and frail physique with colorful comparisons, famously stating, "Maris is like the sun. Except without the warmth." Her eccentricity is further highlighted by her numerous allergies, which include a wide variety of substances such as most meats and certain fabrics, contributing to the comedic portrayal of her character.
- TV Series: Seinfeld
- Years: 1989-1998
Kramer's mysterious friend, Bob Sacamano, is renowned for his bizarre anecdotes and outlandish schemes. Known for his uncanny ability to find deals, Kramer often mentions, "My buddy Bob Sacamano can get you a deal on that." One of Bob's most infamous ventures involved selling defective Russian army hats, which resulted in a warehouse's worth of them being stored in Kramer's apartment.
- TV Series: The Big Bang Theory
- Years: 2007-2019
Howard's overbearing mother, Debbie Wolowitz, is a character whose presence is strongly felt despite never appearing on screen. Her loud voice frequently echoes through the scenes, often heard yelling commands like, "Howard! Get down here this instant!" Her first name, Debbie, is revealed in the episode "The Countdown Reflection" when Howard's friends toast to her.
- TV Series: Columbo
- Years: 1968-1978, 1989-2003
The detective frequently mentions his wife, but she is never seen. Columbo often says, "My wife was just saying..." Mrs. Columbo's first name is Kate, and she was given her own spin-off series titled Mrs. Columbo, where she was portrayed by actress Kate Mulgrew. However, the series only ran for 2 seasons and a short order of 13 total episodes.
- TV Series: Friends
- Years: 1994-2004
The gang frequently talks about their unattractive, often naked neighbor, known as Ugly Naked Guy. He is never fully seen; this was a broadcast sitcom, remember. In one memorable moment, a character exclaims, "Ugly Naked Guy's doing yoga again!" Despite being a recurring topic of conversation, Ugly Naked Guy is only portrayed once by actor Jon Haugen in the episode "The One Where Everybody Finds Out."
- TV Series: M-A-S-H
- Years: 1972-1983
The camp's supply sergeant, Master Sergeant Walter "Sparky" Anderson, is a figure often heard on the radio but never seen in person (except for one early episode). Known for his elusive presence, Sparky is frequently contacted by Hawkeye, who once exclaimed over the phone, "Sparky, you gotta get those supplies to us yesterday!"
- TV Series: Will & Grace
- Years: 1998-2006, 2017-2020
Karen frequently mentions her wealthy husband, Stan Walker, although he is never actually shown. Karen will often make jokes at Stan's expense by describing how physically large and overweight (but RICH) he is. Stan is known for his dramatic antics, including once faking his own death to escape legal troubles, which led to a series of comedic and dramatic events involving Karen and the other characters.
- TV Series: Charlie's Angels
- Years: 1976-1981
Charlie, the enigmatic boss of the Angels, is a character who is heard giving assignments but never seen in person. Known for his iconic greeting, "Good morning, Angels," Charlie's full name is Charles Townsend. Before founding the Townsend Agency, he had a career as a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department, but much of his persona remains mysterious.
- TV Series: Scrubs
- Years: 2001-2010
Dr. Kelso often mentions his wife, Enid, throughout his conversations, yet she never makes an appearance. Despite their long marriage of 30 years, Dr. Kelso humorously remarks that each year with Enid is worse than the last. It is also revealed that Enid Kelso has a prosthetic leg, adding another layer to the character who, though unseen, plays a significant role in Dr. Kelso's life.
- TV Series: The Andy Griffith Show
- Years: 1960-1968
Juanita Beasley, a diner waitress frequently mentioned by Barney Fife but never seen, was a character known for her distinctive voice, which was occasionally heard over the phone. She was often the recipient of Barney's affections, as he would serenade her with his rendition of "Juanita, Juanita." Barney once mentioned taking Juanita out to the duck pond, highlighting his fondness for her despite the audience never seeing her on their TV screens.
- TV Series: Diff'rent Strokes
- Years: 1978-1986
"The Gooch" refers to a school bully named Herman "The Gooch." He is never actually seen on screen but is frequently mentioned by Arnold Jackson, played by Gary Coleman. Arnold would often talk about The Gooch bullying him at school, and it became a running joke on the show. One of Arnold's common catchphrases was the exasperated line, "The Gooch is gonna kill me!" Despite his absence from the screen, The Gooch became a memorable part of the series due to Arnold's humorous and dramatic descriptions of his antics. In one episode, Arnold finally confronts his fear of The Gooch. He learns valuable lessons about standing up for himself, which was part of the show's broader theme of teaching moral lessons to its audience through humor and heartwarming moments.
- TV Series: Family Matters
- Years: 1989-1998
In the TV series Family Matters, Steve Urkel’s parents are Dr. Herb Urkel and Diane Roberta Urkel. Although Steve is a major character on the show, his parents are rarely seen and only briefly mentioned throughout the series. Mr. & Mrs. Urkel are so disconnected from their son, Steve once exclaims, "My parents went to Paris, and they didn't even tell me!" Steve’s father is said to be a neurotic and somewhat aloof figure. He is mentioned as a distant parent who isn't particularly close to Steve. In the episode "Dr. Urkel and Mr. Cool," it’s revealed that he’s a psychiatrist, adding to the comedic irony of Steve's eccentric personality. Steve's mother is also rarely shown on-screen. She is hinted at being embarrassed or overwhelmed by Steve's antics. Both parents' absence and their lack of strong connection to Steve add to the comedic storyline of why Steve spends so much time at the Winslow household. In the season 2 episode titled "Mama's Wedding," Steve's mother, Diane Roberta Urkel, makes her one and only on-screen appearance, played by actress Donna Summer, the famous disco singer.
- TV Series: Magnum, P.I.
- Years: 1980-1988
Robin Masters, a wealthy and reclusive author, owns the luxurious estate in Hawaii where Thomas Magnum, the main character of Magnum, P.I., lives and works as a private investigator. The estate is meticulously cared for by Jonathan Quayle Higgins, III who describes Robin Masters as a very private person. A long-running mystery and fan debate surrounds the true identity of Robin Masters, with speculation that he and Higgins might actually be the same person. The show tantalizingly hints at this possibility but never provides a definitive answer, leaving it as one of the series' enduring mysteries. Adding to the intrigue, Robin Masters's voice was provided by Orson Welles in several episodes of the original series.
- TV Series: Frasier
- Years: 1993-2004; 2023-present
Roz's baby daddy, Rick, is a character who is mentioned but never seen on screen. Despite the complexities in their relationship, largely due to Rick being significantly younger than Roz, she decides to keep the baby. This decision is highlighted by Roz's exclamation, "I can't believe I'm having a baby with him!" in a memorable episode of the long-running show.
