15 Iconic HBO Characters: From Tony Soprano to Daenerys Targaryen

As a TV critic, I’ve seen a lot of great characters come and go, but HBO consistently delivers some of the most iconic. Think about Tony Soprano, Selina Meyer, or even Leon Black from Curb Your Enthusiasm – those characters stick with you. For years, HBO has been synonymous with high-quality, ‘prestige’ television, and it all comes down to compelling characters. Let’s face it, we tune in week after week because we care about these people, and HBO has a remarkable knack for creating them. They’re the network that gave us Larry David, after all – need I say more?

HBO has created so many memorable characters over the years that it’s impossible to include them all. We had to leave out favorites like Larry Sanders, Mare Sheehan, and even Pedro Pascal’s nuanced portrayal of Joel from The Last of Us. Shows like The Sopranos, The Wire, and Succession are overflowing with iconic characters who could easily fill an entire list on their own. With that said, here are 15 of the greatest characters in HBO history.

15. Ari Gold

Though it began as a simple story about a charming and successful actor, Entourage became a brilliant and funny look inside Hollywood, largely thanks to the character of Ari Gold, Vince’s agent. Jeremy Piven’s portrayal was outstanding; he perfectly captured Ari’s explosive temper, over-the-top personality, quick humor, and hidden sensitivity.

Ari Gold is Hollywood’s master negotiator, much like the character Saul Goodman. He effortlessly charms industry insiders and talks his way out of any situation – it’s captivating to watch. Many fans agree he’s the most entertaining part of the show Entourage, and the gap between him and the rest of the cast is significant.

14. Angela Abar

HBO took a big chance by creating a sequel to Alan Moore’s classic graphic novel Watchmen, but it was a risk that succeeded. Damon Lindelof developed an alternate-history storyline that’s as captivating as Moore’s original, and crucially, introduced a new set of characters who are just as memorable.

Angela Abar, a police officer who also fights crime in disguise, was the emotional center of the new Watchmen series. The show’s themes of social justice revolved around her character, and Regina King delivered another outstanding performance.

13. Carrie Bradshaw

While all four women in Sex and the City are engaging characters with both strengths and weaknesses, Carrie Bradshaw is the central figure. As the show’s narrator and main character, Sarah Jessica Parker essentially carried the entire series, and did so with remarkable skill.

Carrie receives criticism, as she’s not without flaws, but she’s no more imperfect than popular male antiheroes like Walter White, Don Draper, or Tony Soprano. The show sparked controversy because it was unusual to portray a woman as a realistically flawed character on television.

12. Valerie Cherish

It’s often hard for actors on long-running TV shows to find success afterward, but Lisa Kudrow cleverly prepared for that challenge. Her first major role after Friends was a funny, self-aware one: she played a former sitcom star trying to revive her career in the competitive world of Hollywood.

Valerie Cherish, the character Lisa Kudrow played, isn’t meant to be a reflection of Kudrow herself. Instead, she’s like a modern version of Norma Desmond – a faded celebrity who’s out of touch with reality and overly confident. The show The Comeback brilliantly satirized reality television, and it did so before most people even understood what reality TV was. Kudrow’s performance perfectly captured the inflated egos and self-awareness issues we now often see in reality stars like those on The Kardashians and The Real Housewives.

11. Jian Yang

Jian Yang started out on Silicon Valley as a comedic character who was clearly out of place, with his background and habits different from everyone else. However, over the show’s run, he transformed into a surprisingly sinister figure – almost like a James Bond villain – constantly plotting to dominate the world and steal the innovative technology created by his housemates.

Jian Yang and Erlich Bachman created a great contrast in the show. Erlich was known for being loud, rude, and irritating, and Jian Yang was the one person who could really bother him. Jimmy O. Yang and T.J. Miller perfectly captured their playfully combative relationship.

10. David Fisher

The characters in Six Feet Under were all compelling and well-developed, making them easy to root for, but Michael C. Hall truly stood out as David. While he later became widely known for playing a serial killer in another show, it was his role as David that first proved his incredible dramatic talent.

David is considered the first openly gay character on American television who felt genuinely real and relatable. Even now, realistic LGBTQ+ representation on TV is rare, making Six Feet Under as impactful and important as ever.

9. Tanya McQuoid

Jennifer Coolidge became the biggest star of The White Lotus, so when the show continued as a new anthology series, creator Mike White specifically asked her to return for season two. The wild, dramatic, and larger-than-life personality of her character, Tanya, perfectly captured the show’s entertaining spirit.

For years, Coolidge has been known for hilarious supporting parts, and she excels at them. But she’s always been a capable actress with much greater potential. Now, with this role, White has finally given her the opportunity to shine and deliver what is arguably the most important performance of her career – even surpassing her iconic role as Stifler’s mom.

8. Leon Black

The twelve seasons of Curb Your Enthusiasm can be clearly divided into two parts: before and after the character of Leon Black appeared. During its first five seasons, Curb was considered one of the funniest shows on television. The show featured an incredibly talented cast of improvisers who worked together seamlessly and perfectly captured the show’s distinctive comedic style.

J.B. Smoove completely revitalized the show with his unique comedic style. He felt like the final piece the show needed, and he quickly became the perfect comedic foil for Larry David.

7. Barry Berkman

When HBO announced Bill Hader’s new series about a hitman pursuing an acting career, many people were doubtful. Hitman stories were popular after the success of John Wick, and the idea initially seemed better suited for a short comedy sketch than a complete television show.

Bill Hader quickly proved doubters wrong by delivering a deeply complex portrayal of a sociopath, reminiscent of the character studies seen in Breaking Bad. He showed all sides of this hitman trying to become an actor – his monstrous nature, surprising innocence, and the self-deceptions he used to justify his actions.

6. Rust Cohle

Woody Harrelson played Marty Hart, a relatable main character in the first season of True Detective, whose job as a police officer was complicated by his troubled marriage. However, Matthew McConaughey truly stood out as Rust Cohle, Marty’s partner, a deeply troubled man haunted by a devastating past.

This happened during the peak of Matthew McConaughey’s career shift, when he started moving away from lighthearted romantic comedies and taking on more serious and demanding roles. His performance in Rust is widely considered his most challenging to date, and many believe it’s also his best work overall.

2026-04-20 02:41