While watching movies and television shows of different genres, you’ll quickly notice that certain character archetypes in comedies work best for particular stories. 

Unless the story is a blend of two or more genres, genre-specific character archetypes are used to implement the desired dynamics of whatever genre the story falls under—action, adventure, horror, thriller, drama, or comedy. 

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Comedies are all about getting a good laugh out of the audience throughout the story. Comedies need to be hilarious, with no exceptions. It's all about packing in those laughs and giving audiences that escapism to laugh at the otherwise difficult world. To accomplish this, the story needs to provide characters that create the highest levels of hilarity.

Read More: 99 Ardchetypes and Stock Characters Screenwriters Can Mold

Top 10 Character Archetypes in Comedies

Let's break down the top 10 character archetypes found in comedies. 

1. The Straight Person

This character is the voice of reason during chaos, often playing off more eccentric characters to create humorous situations. They are typically serious or normal, allowing the audience to relate to them amidst the absurdity.

Examples include:

• Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth in Arrested Development: He is a prime example of the straight man amidst a family of eccentrics.
• Paul Rudd as Peter in I Love You, Man: He is the more serious or sane half of a new friend duo.
• Sandra Bullock as Margaret Tate in The Proposal: She’s initially the straight woman to Ryan Reynolds' character, finding herself in comedic situations that eventually help her to enjoy life more.
• Ben Stiller as Greg Focker in Meet the Parents: An easy-going boyfriend who wants to impress her complicated family, finding himself in increasingly absurd situations that put him in a bad light.

'Meet the Parents' (2000)

2. The Buffoon

Often clumsy or foolish, this character gets into ridiculous situations through their ineptitude, providing physical comedy and slapstick humor. They're lovable and well-meaning, but their actions lead to comedic disasters.

Examples Include:

• Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy: A clueless news anchor whose antics are legendary.
• Steve Carell as Michael Scott in The Office:  His well-meaning but often misguided actions provide endless comedy.
• Chris Farley as Tommy Callahan in Tommy Boy: His character's bumbling yet lovable nature drives the comedy.
• Melissa McCarthy as Megan in Bridesmaids: She is the epitome of the buffoon in this comedy, bringing to life the hilariously over-the-top antics and physical comedy that define the archetype. Her performance is filled with memorable and laugh-out-loud moments highlighting her character's clumsy yet endearing nature, making Megan a standout comedic gem.

Read More: 85 Comedy Scripts That Screenwriters Can Download and Study

'Bridesmaids' (2011)

3. The Snob

The snob is one of the archetypes in comedies that is pompous and looks down on others, often finding themselves in situations where their supposed superiority is undermined, leading to humor through their deserved fate.

Examples include:

• Rachel McAdams as Regina George in Mean Girls: The Queen Bee of High School, epitomizes the snob archetype.
• John Gielgud as Hobson in Arthur: Hobson, the butler to Dudley Moore's wealthy but wayward Arthur, embodies the snob archetype with a twist. Hobson exudes a superior attitude, often displaying a cutting wit and a penchant for dry, snobbish remarks. His snobbery is directed towards Arthur's lifestyle and choices, providing a comedic contrast to Arthur's childlike behavior. But Hobson is also a loving and caring parent figure to Arthur as well. 
• Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada: She plays the ultimate snob in the fashion world.

4. The Eccentric

Wildly unconventional and quirky, the eccentric brings humor through their odd behaviors, strange inventions, or unconventional solutions to problems.

Examples include:

• Mike Myers as Austin Powers in the Austin Powers series: A spy stuck in the past, with outlandish behavior and attire.
• Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory: He is mysterious and whimsical, leading children through his bizarre factory.
• Kate McKinnon as Weird Barbie in Barbie: She is a character who lives up to her name tenfold, embracing the eccentric archetype in all its glory.

Read More: Why the 'Barbie' Movie is the Perfect Example of the Hero's Journey

'Barbie' (2023)

5. The Trickster

Clever and mischievous, this character loves to play pranks and manipulate situations for their amusement, often causing chaos for both the characters and the plot.

Examples include:

• Ryan Reynolds as Van Wilder in National Lampoon's Van Wilder: He is a college student who uses his wits to navigate school life and help others.
• Owen Wilson as John Beckwith and Vince Vaughn as Jeremy Grey in Wedding Crashers: A duo who trick their way into weddings to meet women, embodying the trickster role with charm and wit.
• Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in the Beverly Hills Cop movies: The character of Axel exists within the genre-blend of action and comedy. He’s a character who uses his wits and mischievous skills to play pranks and manipulate the situation to his advantage. 

'Wedding Crashers' (2005)

6. The Slob

Unlike other archetypes in comedies, the slob doesn't conform to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals, leading to hilariously awkward situations, especially when contrasted with more refined settings or characters.

Examples include:

• Zach Galifianakis as Alan Garner in The Hangover: His disheveled appearance and lack of social grace contribute to the film's hilarious antics.
• Seth Rogen as Ben Stone in Knocked Up: A quintessential slob whose lifestyle clashes humorously with more responsible straight characters.
• John Belushi as John "Bluto" Blutarsky in National Lampoon's Animal House: He is the epitome of a college slob, leading the charge in fraternity shenanigans.

'National Lampoon's Animal House' (1978)

7. The Cynic

Sarcastic and often pessimistic, the cynic delivers dry wit and humorous observations about the absurdity of the situations or the naiveté of other characters.

Examples include:

• Bill Murray as Phil Connors in Groundhog Day: His sarcastic and cynical attitude gradually transforms throughout the film.
• Woody Allen as Alvy Singer in Annie Hall: Embodies the quintessential neurotic cynic with a sharp wit.

'Groundhog Day' (1993)

8. The Naïve Optimist

Unfailingly positive and sometimes blissfully unaware of the reality around them, this character's optimistic viewpoint leads to humorous contrasts with more cynical or realistic characters.

Examples include:

• Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf in Elf: His character's boundless optimism and naivety bring humor and heart to the story.
• Steve Carell as Andy Stitzer in The 40-Year-Old Virgin: Exhibits an innocent and optimistic view of life, love, and sex. 
• Amy Adams as Giselle in Enchanted: Though a fantasy film, her naive optimism clashes humorously with real-world New York.
• Margot Robbie as Barbie in Barbie: Stuck in a world of perfection and happiness, Barbie eventually becomes aware of the realities of the world outside of her comfortable domain. 

'Enchanted' (2007)

9. The Underdog

Compared to other archetypes in comedies, the underdog is easy to root for. They're often at a disadvantage, but use wit, guile, or sheer determination to overcome obstacles, providing feel-good humor.

Examples include:

• Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly in Back to the Future: He is an underdog in life who uses his wits and courage to navigate through time and change the legacy of his family.
• Jon Heder as Napoleon Dynamite in Napoleon Dynamite: An awkward teen who, against all odds, helps his friend win a school election.
• Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore in Happy Gilmore: A failed hockey player who takes on golf to save his grandmother's house, embodying the underdog spirit.

'Happy Gilmore' (1996)

10. The Fish Out of Water

This archetype is perhaps the most common in comedies. Why? Because the more conflict a protagonist in a comedy faces, the more chances there are to showcase the hilarity and humor in those difficult situations.

Thrown into a situation or environment foreign to them, this character's attempts to adapt and understand their new world lead to comedic misunderstandings and cultural faux pas.

Examples include:

• Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem in Coming to America: An African prince visiting Queens, New York, epitomizes the fish out of water concept as he hilariously navigates the complexities of American life and love while maintaining his royal demeanor.
• Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: A pink, sparkling fish out of water story to Harvard Law School, proving her intelligence and capability to all who underestimate her based on her appearance.
• Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin in Big: After wishing to be "big," Josh wakes up as an adult, navigating the adult world with the mind of a child, making him the ultimate fish out of water in both professional and personal situations.

Read More: What Hollywood Wants (and How to Give It to Them): High Concept Comedy

'Coming to America' (1988)

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One of the primary reasons comedy is one of the most successful genres in film and television is because archetypes in comedies can be mixed, matched, or subverted to create fresh and engaging dynamics. When paired with fun and intriguing concepts—as well as creative and engaging characters—these 10 comedic archetypes keep the laughs flowing.

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Ken Miyamoto has worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, most notably as a studio liaison for Sony Studios and then as a script reader and story analyst for Sony Pictures.

He has many studio meetings under his belt as a produced screenwriter, meeting with the likes of Sony, Dreamworks, Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, as well as many production and management companies. He has had a previous development deal with Lionsgate, as well as multiple writing assignments, including the produced miniseries Blackout, starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Haylie Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric La Salle, and Bruce Boxleitner, the feature thriller Hunter’s Creed, and many Lifetime thrillers. Follow Ken on Twitter @KenMovies and Instagram @KenMovies76