The 40 Best Cartoon Characters of All Time

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35. Ned Flanders (The Simpsons)

Created: 1989
Creator: Matt Groenig
Voice: Harry Shearer

The writers on The Simpsons have always been equal-opportunity offenders, but they’ve also done so with great charity. Flanders, the Dudley-Do-Right evangelical neighbor, became the show’s fundamentalist with a heart of gold, and religion was treated with a depth and understanding lacking from most public discourse.

34. The Tick

Created: 1986 (1994 TV debut)
Creator: Ben Edlund
Voice: Townsend Coleman

Edlund’s send-up of the superhero genre had a short run, but it was a good one.

33. Phil Ken Sebben (Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law)

Created: 2000
Creators: Michael Ouweleen, Erik Richter
Voice: Stephen Colbert

So many great Hannah Barbera cartoon characters made cameos in Harvey Birdman, but it’s the new guy that stole the show. Stephen Colbert was Phil before he was skewering presidents and getting species and sports teams named after him.

32. Beavis & Butt-Head

Created: 1992
Creator: Mike Judge
Voices: Mike Judge, Tracy Grandstaff

Beavis and Butt-Head made MTV’s lack of music much more palatable. The show managed to both satirize and celebrate the lowest common denominator of the 1990s.

31. Brendon Small (Home Movies)

Created: 1999
Creator: Brendon Small
Voice: Brendon Small

The young, would-be auteur Brendon was never a huge ratings success, but for those who saw him on Adult Swim, he’s hard to forget. Created with plenty of improv, it’s a little bit Woody Allen and little bit mumblecore. Plus Paula Poundstone plays his mom.