Our Favorite TV Next-Door Neighbors

Who Would You Live Next To?

When I was a kid, watching my favorite TV shows, I was convinced that all of my beloved TV characters—those familiar faces I saw daily—actually lived next door to each other inside the television. LOL I even wished I could somehow move into that magical land and become their neighbor. Of course, as I grew up, I realized it was just a fantasy—but imagine how fun it would be if it were real! 

Just picture it: Kramer from “Seinfeld” popping in unannounced with his signature entrance, or Sandra Clark from “227” sashaying over with some juicy gossip. How about Larry, Darryl, and Darryl from “Newhart” causing hilarious chaos next door? Or having Helen and Stanley Roper from “Three’s Company” as your quirky landlords? And let’s not forget Lenny and Squiggy from “Laverne & Shirley” barging in and making you laugh all day long. What a neighborhood that would be! 

In honor of my recent podcast interview with David Leisure, featured in the latest two episodes (109 and 110) of the Hollywood Obsessed podcast—who is best known for playing the hilariously annoying next-door neighbor, Charley Dietz, on “Empty Nest”—I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite TV next-door neighbors (and hopefully yours as well). 

Get ready to take a fun stroll down memory lane and imagine what it would be like to share a fence (and plenty of laughs) with these unforgettable characters. Enjoy!

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WILLONA WOODS (“GOOD TIMES”) - PORTRAYED BY JANET T. DUBOIS

Sassy, stylish, and always ready with a zinger, Willona Woods was the fun-loving, quick-witted neighbor we all wish we had. Whether she was dishing out gossip, lending a helping hand, or cracking jokes with her bestie Florida Evans, Willona was the heart and soul of the building. And let’s not forget her most meaningful role—becoming the adoptive mother to sweet Penny Gordon Woods (played by a young Janet Jackson), giving the little girl a safe and loving home.

A proud divorcee with a flair for fashion and a knack for dishing out no-nonsense advice, Willona juggled multiple jobs while keeping her single life fabulously active.

Fun fact: The multi-talented Ja’Net DuBois, who brought Willona to life, also co-wrote and sang the iconic theme song “Movin’ on Up” for “The Jeffersons”. On top of that, she scored two Primetime Emmy Awards for her voice work as Mrs. Avery on the animated series “The PJs”. Talk about a powerhouse!

CHARLEY DIETZ (“EMPTY NEST”) - PORTRAYED BY DAVID LEISURE

Charley Dietz is the ultimate freeloading, fun-loving, and completely shameless ladies’ man of “Empty Nest”. As the easygoing next-door neighbor to Harry Weston, Charley is a cruise ship employee who spends most of his time chasing women, dodging responsibility, and raiding Harry’s fridge. His favorite pastime—aside from avoiding actual work—is getting under the skin of Harry’s daughter Carol, who considers him a walking, talking disaster of a human being.

Charley was a staple of “Empty Nest”, appearing in all seven seasons and even making guest appearances in the spin-off Nurses. But before he became the lovable (if infuriating) moocher fans came to know, he started off a little differently. In the original “Empty Nest” pilot—aired as a backdoor pilot during “The Golden Girls’” second season—Charley was actually an irresponsible, oversexed airline pilot named Oliver. After some major retooling, the show took its final form, and while the character got a new name and a different job, his clueless charm and womanizing ways stayed very much intact.

HOWARD BORDEN ("THE BOB NEWHART SHOW”) - PORTRAYED BY BILL DAILEY

Howard Borden is the lovable, airheaded neighbor and honorary “nephew” of Bob and Emily Hartley on “The Bob Newhart Show”. With his signature goofy grin and carefree charm, he affectionately calls them “Uncle Bob” and “Aunt Emily”—making their apartment feel more like a family sitcom than a neighborly hangout.

Howard is delightfully ditzy and childlike, but don’t let his spacey demeanor fool you—he’s also a bit of a savant. Case in point: he’s a whiz at chess, regularly wiping the board with Bob, much to Bob’s disbelief (and frustration). When he’s stressed or needs to think, Howard has an oddly soothing ritual—he irons his clothes. (Hey, whatever works!)

The real head-scratcher? Despite his flighty personality, Howard somehow manages to hold down a job as an airline navigator—and later, a co-pilot. It’s truly a miracle that the planes ever reach their destinations with Howard in the cockpit.

BARNEY AND BETTY RUBBLE (“THE FLINTSTONES”) - PORTRAYED BY MEL BLANC & BEA BENADERET

Barney and Betty Rubble are the lovable next-door neighbors of Fred and Wilma Flintstone on “The Flintstones”.

Barney, the pint-sized, blond-haired caveman, is Fred’s loyal best friend and partner in mischief. Though easygoing and content with life, he can’t resist getting roped into Fred’s wild get-rich-quick schemes—usually responding with his signature chuckle, “Uh hee hee hee… OK, Fred!” He’s also the devoted adoptive dad of super-strong toddler Bamm-Bamm. Fun fact: Barney’s personality was inspired by Ed Norton from “The Honeymooners”.

Betty, with her stylish black hair and sweet demeanor, is Barney’s loving wife and Wilma’s inseparable bestie. Often found gossiping or scheming with Wilma, she frequently helps clean up the messes caused by their harebrained husbands.

Mel Blanc famously voiced Barney, except for a brief stint by Daws Butler while Blanc recovered from a car accident. Betty was originally voiced by June Foray in the 1959 pilot “The Flagstones”, but Bea Benaderet took over for the first four seasons, giving Betty her iconic sound.

JACK MCFARLAND (“WILL & GRACE”) - PORTRAYED BY SEAN HAYES

Living across the hall from Will Truman and Grace Adler, Jack McFarland is the flamboyant, fun-loving neighbor you’d love to borrow a cup of sugar from—if he ever had any. A struggling actor with a resume full of odd jobs, Jack is confident, catty, and completely outrageous. 

He’s got the best gaydar in the tristate area and an obsession with gay icons, especially Cher—so much so that when he meets her in person, he mistakes her for a drag queen and claims he can "do a better Cher" than she can. Her response? A slap to the face, which makes Jack instantly faint when he realizes who she is. LOL

Jack’s bromance with Will is built on snarky banter—Jack mocking Will’s nonexistent hair loss, while Will takes jabs at Jack’s hopeless career and promiscuity. With Grace, Jack bonds over their shared love of figure skating, Antiques Roadshow, and gay porn—because why not? 

But Jack’s truest soulmate is Karen Walker, whom he meets in episode two. Their campy friendship outlasts even Will and Grace’s. With pet names like "Kare" and "Poodle", they share shopping sprees, endless cocktails, and shallow antics. And yes, Karen supports Jack financially, but who could resist a Poodle with that much flair? 

Sure, Jack is catty and over-the-top, but he’s also the hilarious, outrageous neighbor you’d want barging into your apartment—whether you’re ready for him or not.

LARRY DALLAS (“THREE’S COMPANY”) - PORTRAYED BY RICHARD KLINE

Larry Dallas is the smooth-talking, mustachioed used car salesman and Jack Tripper’s fun-loving (and troublemaking) best friend on “Three’s Company”.

Living upstairs from Jack, Janet, and Chrissy/Cindy/Terri, Larry is always dropping by with a scheme or a tall tale—usually to impress the ladies. A shameless womanizer, he frequently lies about his identity, often claiming to be Jack Tripper, which lands them both in hot water with furious boyfriends—or worse, protective fathers. To woo women, Larry is known to inflate his resume, claiming to be everything from Playboy’s top photographer to a world-class doctor. (Spoiler: he’s still just selling cars.)

Larry holds a special “Three’s Company” distinction—he’s the only character besides Jack to appear in both spin-offs, “The Ropers” and “Three’s a Crowd”, proving that you just can’t keep a good scoundrel down!

LENNY KOSNOWSKI AND ANDREW “SQUIGGY” SQUIGGMAN (“LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY”) - PORTRAYED BY MICHAEL MCKEAN & DAVID LANDER

Leonard “Lenny” Kosnowski is the ultimate lovable goofball greaser on “Laverne & Shirley”. Along with his equally quirky best friend and roommate, Squiggy, Lenny constantly pesters the girls with harebrained antics and cringe-worthy charm. The duo lives upstairs from Laverne and Shirley’s lower-level apartment, making it all too easy to barge in uninvited.

Lenny works as a truck driver at the Shotz Brewery, though his real talent seems to be getting into ridiculous situations. As part of their running gag, Squiggy always makes his grand entrance with a perfectly timed, hilariously dopey “Hello”—usually right as Laverne or Shirley is describing something unpleasant.

Fun fact: McKean and Lander originally created the Lenny and Squiggy characters back in college and pitched them to the show after being hired as writers. As of 2024, Michael McKean is the last surviving main original cast member, keeping the memory of “Laverne & Shirley” alive.

COSMO KRAMER (“SEINFELD”) - PORTRAYED BY MICHAEL RICHARDS

Cosmo Kramer—though usually just called Kramer—is the delightfully eccentric neighbor and friend of Jerry Seinfeld on the iconic sitcom “Seinfeld”. Known for his wild hair, zany entrances, and unpredictable antics, Kramer is a walking whirlwind of impulsive adventures. He’s got a knack for sniffing out opportunities (and free food) like a bloodhound, often barging into Jerry’s apartment unannounced to raid the fridge or share his latest harebrained scheme.

For years, even Jerry didn’t know his first name, which was finally revealed in season six: Cosmo—perfectly fitting for his offbeat, otherworldly vibe.

Kramer is famous for his signature physical comedy, frequently performing hilarious pratfalls and punctuating conversations with exaggerated, percussive outbursts—grunts, gasps, and dramatic double-takes that say it all.

Fun fact: In 1999, TV Guide ranked him number 36 on its list of the “50 Greatest TV Characters of All Time”—because let’s face it, there’s no neighbor quite like Kramer!

STEVE URKEL (“FAMILY MATTERS”) - PORTRAYED BY JALEEL WHITE

Steve Urkel is the breakout star and lovable nerd of the hit sitcom “Family Matters”. Originally meant for just a one-episode appearance, Urkel’s whiny voice, clumsy antics, and signature suspenders made him an instant fan favorite—and the show’s most iconic character.

A seventh-grade science whiz with a penchant for pratfalls, Steve is famously head-over-heels (and glasses) in unrequited love with his neighbor Laura Winslow. While Laura finds his over-the-top devotion exasperating, Steve remains undeterred, forever scheming up grand (and often disastrous) romantic gestures.

He also has a special talent for driving Laura’s dad, Carl, completely up the wall, whether by breaking things, causing chaos, or simply saying, “Did I do that?” Meanwhile, he endlessly tries to win over Laura’s brother Eddie with his quirky charm—even if Eddie doesn’t always share the enthusiasm.

Though he started as a one-off guest, Urkel became a TV legend, cementing his place in sitcom history with his unforgettable catchphrases, nerdy swagger, and wacky inventions.

ED AND TRIXIE NORTON (“THE HONEYMOONERS”) - PORTRAYED BY ART CARNEY & JOYCE RANDOLPH

Ed Norton is the easygoing, wisecracking best friend and upstairs neighbor of Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason) on “The Honeymooners”. As a New York City sewer worker, Norton’s laid-back attitude and lovable dimwittedness often make him the perfect (if unwitting) accomplice in Ralph’s harebrained schemes. While Ralph frequently showers him with insults and throws him out in fits of frustration, the two share an unshakable bond—trading barbs one minute and slapping each other on the back the next. Norton’s signature goofy mannerisms and exaggerated gestures made him a standout character, earning him the affectionate nickname “Norton”—even from his own wife, Trixie.

Fun fact: In 1999, TV Guide ranked Norton 2nd on its list of the “50 Greatest TV Characters of All Time”, and Entertainment Weekly crowned him the 8th greatest sidekick ever.

Thelma “Trixie” Norton, Ed’s no-nonsense wife and Alice Kramden’s best friend, is a sharp-tongued foil to her bumbling husband. Though mostly appearing offscreen, Trixie occasionally surprises viewers—like when she’s revealed to be a pool hustler in one episode. Originally played by Elaine Stritch as a burlesque dancer, the role was quickly recast with the more wholesome Joyce Randolph, who made Trixie an enduring part of TV history.

Randolph was the last surviving cast member of “The Honeymooners”. She passed away of natural causes at the age of 99 at her home on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on January 13, 2024—leaving behind a legacy as one of television’s most memorable next-door neighbor characters.

HARRY BENTLEY (“THE JEFFERSONS”) - PORTRAYED BY PAUL BENEDICT

Harry Bentley is the delightfully quirky, tea-sipping English neighbor on "The Jeffersons". With his posh accent and charming eccentricities, Bentley works as a Russian language interpreter at the United Nations, but his real talent seems to be driving George Jefferson up the wall.

Known for his overly polite (yet hilariously intrusive) nature, Bentley frequently drops by unannounced—usually to borrow random household items or, more often, to complain about his chronic back spasms. His preferred treatment? Having George walk across his back. (Much to George’s irritation.)

In classic ‘Jeffersons’ fashion, nearly every time Bentley shows up, George slams the door in his face—whether mid-sentence or before Bentley can even say hello. Oblivious to the snubs, Bentley cheerfully continues to regale everyone with long-winded tales of his childhood, often putting his audience into a near-comatose state with boredom.

Bentley left the series in 1981 (written off as moving to the Soviet Union for two years) but made his triumphant return in 1983. When he came back, George was noticeably friendlier—though old habits die hard, and Bentley still found himself on the receiving end of a door slam now and then.

RHODA MORGENSTERN AND PHYLLIS LINDSTROM (“THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW”) - PORTRAYED BY VALERIE HARPER & CLORIS LEACHMAN

If you were lucky enough to live in Mary Richards’ Minneapolis apartment building, you’d get a double dose of comedy gold—thanks to Rhoda Morgenstern, the wisecracking upstairs neighbor and best friend, and Phyllis Lindstrom, the building manager with a flair for drama. 

Rhoda was the ultimate single gal with sass. Working as a window dresser, she was known for her sharp wit, self-deprecating humor, and tendency to fire off zingers—often at her own expense. With her bold personality and bohemian charm, Rhoda quickly became a fan favorite. 

Meanwhile, Phyllis ruled the building with her self-centered and occasionally snobbish demeanor. Always ready with a snide remark, she often found herself clashing with Rhoda. Their relationship was delightfully adversarial—full of barbed quips and backhanded compliments. In true Phyllis fashion, she once sabotaged Rhoda’s chance at landing a newly vacated apartment, just so Mary could move in instead. Talk about petty!  

Eventually, Rhoda packed her bags and headed to New York City, paving the way for her own spinoff series, “Rhoda”. Phyllis made a memorable appearance at “Rhoda’s Wedding”, adding her signature blend of meddling and melodrama to the mix. Both characters later reunited with Mary for the iconic series finale of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”, making for a bittersweet and unforgettable goodbye. 

Whether they were trading insults or sharing a rare moment of camaraderie, Rhoda and Phyllis were the perfect comedic pairing—proof that sometimes, the best neighbors are the ones you love to bicker with.

FRED AND ETHEL MERTZ (“I LOVE LUCY”) - PORTRAYED BY WILLIAM FRAWLEY & VIVIAN VANCE

If you lived in Lucy and Ricky Ricardo’s NYC apartment building, you’d have the quirky Fred and Ethel Mertz as your landlords—and trust me, they were anything but ordinary. Former vaudeville performers, Fred and Ethel were always game for a comeback, whether it was staging a song-and-dance routine or getting roped into Lucy’s latest harebrained scheme. 

Ethel, ever the reluctant partner-in-crime, would grumble her way through Lucy’s antics, only to rat her out to Fred, who would, of course, blab to Ricky. This led to Cold War-level prank wars between the Mertzes and Ricardos, keeping their apartment building in a constant state of comic chaos.

Fred, the grumpy curmudgeon, was quick with his signature “Oh, for corn’s sake!” while Ethel playfully dubbed him a “fat old goat”. And though Fred loved teasing Ethel about her “bottomless pit” appetite, he was never one to skip a meal either. 

Offscreen, Vivian Vance, who played Ethel, became Lucille Ball’s real-life BFF and insisted on using her real name in Ball’s later shows, “The Lucy Show” and “Here’s Lucy”, eager to shed the “Ethel” persona. 

Fred and Ethel Mertz weren’t just nosy landlords—they were scene-stealing, scheme-busting, vaudeville-loving icons who made every wacky adventure a blast to watch.

MARIE BARONE (“EVERYONE LOVES RAYMOND”) - PORTRAYED BY DORIS ROBERTS

If you lived across the street from Marie Barone, you’d never need a doorbell—she’d already be barging in unannounced with her smothering affection and backhanded compliments. As the matriarch of the Barone family, she doted on her golden child, Ray, while poor Robert perpetually played second fiddle. 

Marie had a special knack for tormenting her daughter-in-law, Debra, disguising cutting critiques as “helpful” advice. Whether it was cooking, cleaning, or parenting, Debra could never measure up—especially in Marie’s condescending eyes. 

Living right across the street, Marie popped in constantly, making her butting in and bossing around a daily event. But despite her overbearing meddling, her flawed, genuine love made her the TV mom you loved to hate—and couldn’t help but adore.

WILSON W WILSON JR (“HOME IMPROVEMENT”)  - PORTRAYED BY EARL HINDMAN

If you ever needed sage advice or obscure trivia, Wilson W. Wilson Jr. was your man—if you could actually see his face, that is. As Tim Taylor’s next-door neighbor on “Home Improvement”, Wilson was the backyard guru, always offering wise words and historical anecdotes. Of course, Tim would comically mangle the quotes when trying to repeat them, turning profound wisdom into hilarious nonsense.

Wilson’s trademark mystery came from his perpetually hidden face—whether behind the backyard fence or conveniently obscured by props like a scarf or plant. Even during rare glimpses, his face remained cleverly covered, except for two occasions where it was revealed—behind Halloween or clown makeup, of course. 

Fans finally saw Wilson’s full face during the series finale curtain call, ending one of TV’s most iconic running gags. Though half-hidden, Wilson was always full of heart.

GLADYS KRAVITZ (“BEWITCHED”) - PORTRAYED BY ALICE PEARCE (SEASONS 1-2) & SANDRA GOULD (SEASONS 3-8, FOLLOWING PEARCE’S DEATH)

If you lived on Morning Glory Circle in Westport, Connecticut, you’d definitely want to keep your curtains closed—because Mrs. Gladys Kravitz was always watching. As Samantha and Darrin Stephens overly curious neighbor, Mrs. Kravitz had a PhD in snooping and a black belt in curtain-peeking. She was convinced something weird was going on across the street—and she was absolutely right. 

Every time Samantha zapped up some witchcraft or one of her magical relatives popped in from another realm, Mrs. Kravitz would shriek for her husband, Abner, hoping he’d finally witness the madness. But poor Abner was too laid-back to care, usually dismissing her claims with a disinterested grunt, leaving Gladys to question her own sanity.

To cover her magical tracks, Samantha always came up with a quick excuse—blaming faulty wiring, a broken appliance, or some other mundane explanation. This gaslighting-by-magic left poor Gladys flustered and frazzled, certain she was losing her marbles, despite seeing flying objects, disappearing people, and furniture that rearranged itself. 

Mrs. Kravitz was the perfect meddling sitcom neighbor—a little paranoid, a little kooky, and forever one spell away from blowing the Stephens’ secret wide open. And we loved watching her snooping episode after episode.

Some facts are taken from IMDB & Wikipedia.

Don't miss my entertaining conversation with the one and only David Leisure, everyone’s favorite nosy neighbor from "Empty Nest"! In the latest two episodes of the "Hollywood Obsessed" podcast, David shares exclusive behind-the-scenes stories and insights that you won’t hear anywhere else!

Click the links below to listen now, and get ready to be both entertained and inspired!

EPISODE 109 - HERE

EPISODE 110 - HERE