Top 10 Sitcom Characters With Surprisingly Tragic Backstories
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Date: 2023-11-20
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Comments and reviews: 30
Bryn
TWO BROKE GIRLS was full of characters who supposedly had it tough - usually of the 'ethnic' variety. There was some confusion over which Korea Han came from; Sophie talked about a tough childhood in Poland, but her stories did tend towards the wild and outlandish - Communist Poland in her day would have actually had a system of health/social care beyond that readily available to many Americans; Garrett tended to be good-natured and striving to be hedonistic on a restricted income - but an African-American of his generation would have had tales of woe at least comparable to the Europeans; apparently they wouldn't be worth bringing up, and the American TV audience needn't have them brought to mind?
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TWO BROKE GIRLS was full of characters who supposedly had it tough - usually of the 'ethnic' variety. There was some confusion over which Korea Han came from; Sophie talked about a tough childhood in Poland, but her stories did tend towards the wild and outlandish - Communist Poland in her day would have actually had a system of health/social care beyond that readily available to many Americans; Garrett tended to be good-natured and striving to be hedonistic on a restricted income - but an African-American of his generation would have had tales of woe at least comparable to the Europeans; apparently they wouldn't be worth bringing up, and the American TV audience needn't have them brought to mind?
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Clinton
Do not understand why Kimmy Schmidt was on this list of 'surprising' tragic backstories when the whole premise of her character is based on that backstory. Aside from what is mentioned, Phoebe Buffay's grandmother lied to her about who her father was, she eventually meets her birth mother and reconciles, she finds out she has a half-brother their father also walked out on, she has a twin sister who basically disowned her and performs porn using Phoebe's name (not her own, and does end up meeting her father who intentionally tried to avoid her at a funeral for her grandmother.
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Do not understand why Kimmy Schmidt was on this list of 'surprising' tragic backstories when the whole premise of her character is based on that backstory. Aside from what is mentioned, Phoebe Buffay's grandmother lied to her about who her father was, she eventually meets her birth mother and reconciles, she finds out she has a half-brother their father also walked out on, she has a twin sister who basically disowned her and performs porn using Phoebe's name (not her own, and does end up meeting her father who intentionally tried to avoid her at a funeral for her grandmother.
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Commander
Im my opinion I thought Steven Hyde (That 70s show) should of been an honorable mention at the very least. His fake father left when he was a child, his biological mom was junkie who blamed him for her career failure then left also, and his fake dad came back into his life only to then get back together with Hydes mom and both leave him again. Despite his happy ending and receiving the love he deserves from his friends and other family, it should be mentioned that what he went through may not have scarred him, but did play a role in how he turned out through high school.
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Im my opinion I thought Steven Hyde (That 70s show) should of been an honorable mention at the very least. His fake father left when he was a child, his biological mom was junkie who blamed him for her career failure then left also, and his fake dad came back into his life only to then get back together with Hydes mom and both leave him again. Despite his happy ending and receiving the love he deserves from his friends and other family, it should be mentioned that what he went through may not have scarred him, but did play a role in how he turned out through high school.
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smus
Dr. Shaun Murphy should have really made the list, his father was alcoholic and abusive and he was also autistic. He and his brother had to ran away from home because of their dad and they had to live in an abandoned school bus. Then his brother also died who at the time was his only friend and after his funeral he refused to come back home with his parents and had to go from foster parent to foster parent and only had an old man as a friend, despite all of that and his autism he still managed to go to med school and become a surgeon.
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Dr. Shaun Murphy should have really made the list, his father was alcoholic and abusive and he was also autistic. He and his brother had to ran away from home because of their dad and they had to live in an abandoned school bus. Then his brother also died who at the time was his only friend and after his funeral he refused to come back home with his parents and had to go from foster parent to foster parent and only had an old man as a friend, despite all of that and his autism he still managed to go to med school and become a surgeon.
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MrGUnit27
Now that I think about it, all of the main characters in Community have pretty tragic backstories. Annie was addicted to Adderall and was bullied, Abed was a child of divorce and had to deal with his parents fighting, Troy was a high school football star who got injured and lost his scholarship opportunities, Shirley has to raise her kids by herself after her husband cheated on her, and Pierce had a racist and emotionally abusive father
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Now that I think about it, all of the main characters in Community have pretty tragic backstories. Annie was addicted to Adderall and was bullied, Abed was a child of divorce and had to deal with his parents fighting, Troy was a high school football star who got injured and lost his scholarship opportunities, Shirley has to raise her kids by herself after her husband cheated on her, and Pierce had a racist and emotionally abusive father
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Deadpool
I feel like Abed should've been on this list instead of Britta. His parents got divorced on the age of 6 and he spent a long time believing that it was his fault, and that his father blamed him. He felt like his father wanted nothing to do with him. And many people walked out of his life since they got frustrated that they couldn't help him. Plus from what we've seen he hasn't really had any friends until going to Greendale
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I feel like Abed should've been on this list instead of Britta. His parents got divorced on the age of 6 and he spent a long time believing that it was his fault, and that his father blamed him. He felt like his father wanted nothing to do with him. And many people walked out of his life since they got frustrated that they couldn't help him. Plus from what we've seen he hasn't really had any friends until going to Greendale
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Good
How about from Full House when Jesse never finished high school. And when Joeys parents were divorced and his dad was in the army and they moved around. It was just him and his mom growing up. On Family Matters when Carls father died when he was young. Also Harriet and Rachels father reappear after all these years. Shocking! Plus Happy Days when Fonzies estranged father shows up after years of his absence. Thats sad too.
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How about from Full House when Jesse never finished high school. And when Joeys parents were divorced and his dad was in the army and they moved around. It was just him and his mom growing up. On Family Matters when Carls father died when he was young. Also Harriet and Rachels father reappear after all these years. Shocking! Plus Happy Days when Fonzies estranged father shows up after years of his absence. Thats sad too.
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Edgea22
Shawn Hunter from Boy Meets World should have an honorable mention. His biological mother was a stripper that abandoned him and his father, Chet. Chet was an alcoholic that could be abusive, he drove away his first wife. Both Shawn's parents would disappear for weeks or months at a time. Chet was a grifter who never told Shawn about his mother.
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Shawn Hunter from Boy Meets World should have an honorable mention. His biological mother was a stripper that abandoned him and his father, Chet. Chet was an alcoholic that could be abusive, he drove away his first wife. Both Shawn's parents would disappear for weeks or months at a time. Chet was a grifter who never told Shawn about his mother.
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Ellen
Sitcom characters with surprisingly tragic back stories
Barney Stinson- How I met your mother
Aunt Jackie- Roseann
Shawn- Boy meets World
Will-Fresh prince
Cheryl- Riverdale
Kyra- Reba the sitcom
Paige-Charmed
Hyde- That 70s show
Helga- Hey Arnold
London- suite life of Zack and Cody/ suite life on deck
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Sitcom characters with surprisingly tragic back stories
Barney Stinson- How I met your mother
Aunt Jackie- Roseann
Shawn- Boy meets World
Will-Fresh prince
Cheryl- Riverdale
Kyra- Reba the sitcom
Paige-Charmed
Hyde- That 70s show
Helga- Hey Arnold
London- suite life of Zack and Cody/ suite life on deck
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Julie
Phoebe & Lenard are the characters I am familiar. I know Lenard is fictional but is back story made me so sad. It also bothered me how his mother treated him by manipulating him and he was defenseless. To me that is bullying, and child abuse. While viewers found it comical, I found it so sad it made me cringe and teary-eyed.
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Phoebe & Lenard are the characters I am familiar. I know Lenard is fictional but is back story made me so sad. It also bothered me how his mother treated him by manipulating him and he was defenseless. To me that is bullying, and child abuse. While viewers found it comical, I found it so sad it made me cringe and teary-eyed.
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Omega
Will's dad did really left him for good and 'Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse was one of the most emotional episodes that I ever seen before in my life. Uncle Phil is right! Every parent should always be there for their own sons, and daughters like any parent should be! Poor Will. we all feel so so sorry for him.
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Will's dad did really left him for good and 'Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse was one of the most emotional episodes that I ever seen before in my life. Uncle Phil is right! Every parent should always be there for their own sons, and daughters like any parent should be! Poor Will. we all feel so so sorry for him.
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Bombastic
I wouldn't say that it's as tragic but think of Micheal Scott
His parents got divorced he didn't have many friends and his best friends was his grandmother and the only thing he wanted as mentioned on the episode where the kids come to the office was having a family who loved him
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I wouldn't say that it's as tragic but think of Micheal Scott
His parents got divorced he didn't have many friends and his best friends was his grandmother and the only thing he wanted as mentioned on the episode where the kids come to the office was having a family who loved him
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jem
Charlie might not be Franks child because his mother was not as pure as gold if you know what I mean. They should take a DNA test. Mac story is pretty traditional because I feel like his parents dont really love him. I also feel like his father does not accept him for being gay.
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Charlie might not be Franks child because his mother was not as pure as gold if you know what I mean. They should take a DNA test. Mac story is pretty traditional because I feel like his parents dont really love him. I also feel like his father does not accept him for being gay.
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Chichi
I don't believe half the stuff Phoebe claims. I believe in how she lost her parents, but I don't believe she went from homeless for 4-5 years, to being able to afford such giant New York appartments, in just a few years. Likely she was adopted or something along those lines
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I don't believe half the stuff Phoebe claims. I believe in how she lost her parents, but I don't believe she went from homeless for 4-5 years, to being able to afford such giant New York appartments, in just a few years. Likely she was adopted or something along those lines
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Dimidrugg
Let's be honest, we all knew Phoebe Buffay would be 1st. By the way, I wouldn't call Leonard Hofstadter's backstory tragic. Yes, he had an awful mother which made me feel sorry about him, but at least he grew up in a family unlike some other entries in this list.
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Let's be honest, we all knew Phoebe Buffay would be 1st. By the way, I wouldn't call Leonard Hofstadter's backstory tragic. Yes, he had an awful mother which made me feel sorry about him, but at least he grew up in a family unlike some other entries in this list.
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Nick
One of my favorite scenes in The Big Bang Theory is when Leonard finally stands up to his mother and forgives her (which he didn't have to do but I believe shows strength and growth on his part. And when they hug? Ugh, tears!
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One of my favorite scenes in The Big Bang Theory is when Leonard finally stands up to his mother and forgives her (which he didn't have to do but I believe shows strength and growth on his part. And when they hug? Ugh, tears!
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No
I feel Britta changed across the seasons and she got less interesting and intelligent in later seasons. You can see the motivation to help the downtrodden because she's experienced her parents siding with her abuser.
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I feel Britta changed across the seasons and she got less interesting and intelligent in later seasons. You can see the motivation to help the downtrodden because she's experienced her parents siding with her abuser.
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Jason
What about George Lopez? His mom also never showed him affection. His dad walked out on him when he needed him most. He had to convince his long loss sister that she was adopted and that Benny is her real mother.
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What about George Lopez? His mom also never showed him affection. His dad walked out on him when he needed him most. He had to convince his long loss sister that she was adopted and that Benny is her real mother.
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Phoebe
I don't watch a lot of sitcoms, but I find having that detailed character with a tragic backstory really gives perspective to what's looked at as a comedy. It's the way to make a real, great show!
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I don't watch a lot of sitcoms, but I find having that detailed character with a tragic backstory really gives perspective to what's looked at as a comedy. It's the way to make a real, great show!
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David
The show is largely forgotten, but Sister Kate, which was about a no-nonsense nun running a group home, had many orphans, nearly all of whom had backstories with some level of tragedy.
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The show is largely forgotten, but Sister Kate, which was about a no-nonsense nun running a group home, had many orphans, nearly all of whom had backstories with some level of tragedy.
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Jamie
You guys should do a video about craziest things the guy from the office has claimed Creed or whatever his name was never really watch the office but that makes me kind of wanna
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You guys should do a video about craziest things the guy from the office has claimed Creed or whatever his name was never really watch the office but that makes me kind of wanna
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Kris
With a title like this, Phoebe Buffay was the first character that came to mind. That said, I am thankful for seeing Punky Brewster on the list because that is a similar spirit.
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With a title like this, Phoebe Buffay was the first character that came to mind. That said, I am thankful for seeing Punky Brewster on the list because that is a similar spirit.
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Nitish. s.
No one is talking about Mitchell Pritchett from Modern Family here, Father not being around, mother using him as a shield, sister bullying him as a defense mechanism.
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No one is talking about Mitchell Pritchett from Modern Family here, Father not being around, mother using him as a shield, sister bullying him as a defense mechanism.
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Matts
Why tf are people laughing at Phoebe talking about her backstory? I would be shocked and sad. I mean I guess she describes it in a bit of a humorous way but still damn.
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Why tf are people laughing at Phoebe talking about her backstory? I would be shocked and sad. I mean I guess she describes it in a bit of a humorous way but still damn.
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timewastermohanty
You could have made an honourable mentions segment and mentioned cat valentine, Maddie Fitzpatrick, Sam Puckett and Barney Stinson along with others in it.
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You could have made an honourable mentions segment and mentioned cat valentine, Maddie Fitzpatrick, Sam Puckett and Barney Stinson along with others in it.
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Taylor
I dont even know a lot of these shows
Phoebe is my favorite though. Shes such a sweetheart despite her childhood being so horrible. I always loved her character.
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I dont even know a lot of these shows
Phoebe is my favorite though. Shes such a sweetheart despite her childhood being so horrible. I always loved her character.
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Shannon
Thank you so much for mentioning Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt! It's a super funny and underrated show and I agree, Kimmy has a very sad past despite her optimism.
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Thank you so much for mentioning Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt! It's a super funny and underrated show and I agree, Kimmy has a very sad past despite her optimism.
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Annalisa
If they ever do this on actions shows Feels from NCIS LA, was forced to shoot his own dad when he was a kid to save him and his mom from abuse
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If they ever do this on actions shows Feels from NCIS LA, was forced to shoot his own dad when he was a kid to save him and his mom from abuse
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Peggy
I would like think that Christy Plunket would be on the list. Her mother was an alcoholic and a junkie, and her dad didn't know that she existed.
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I would like think that Christy Plunket would be on the list. Her mother was an alcoholic and a junkie, and her dad didn't know that she existed.
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Nicolas
On the first one, you basically said Jung is the son of dad and mom. Their names are Sang-Il (dad or Appa) and Young-Mi (mom or Umma)
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On the first one, you basically said Jung is the son of dad and mom. Their names are Sang-Il (dad or Appa) and Young-Mi (mom or Umma)
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