There exists a special tier of characters that just melts audiences’ hearts with their adorable dorkiness—simply known as the “adorkable.” These beloved goofballs win fans over with their awkward fumbles and blunt dialogue, captivating viewers with their indisputable charm. As they stumble through conversations, often saying the wrong things at the wrong time, or wielding an offbeat humor that nobody seems to get, but audiences adore, they become characters that are truly impossible not to love.
Characters like the powerful, shy brainiac, Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan), from the beloved supernatural fantasy series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Family Matters‘ Steve Urkel (Jaleel White), whose dorky suspenders definitely add to his charms, are just two examples of truly adorkable characters. This list consists of the ten most adorable dorks of all time, whose joyful chaos and odd quirks are celebrated by fans.
10
Velma Dinkley (Mindy Cohn)
‘What’s New, Scooby-Doo?’ (2002–2006)
This iconic nerd has got to be not only one of the most adorkable characters in TV history, but also one of the very first inspiringly brilliant young women to prove that using brainpower and being downright awkward can be insanely charming. Velma Dinkley (Mindy Cohn) is the brainiac of Mystery, Inc. in the classic animated series What’s New, Scooby-Doo.
Clad in her orange turtleneck, pleated skirt, and thick-rimmed glasses, Velma is truly so adorkable as she spouts scientific facts and deciphers clues, all the while wielding a cute, modest demeanor. Velma is unapologetically nerdy, but also insanely kind. She may drone on enough to glaze the eyes of the rest of the gang, but the humble and caring character is still pretty cute as she gets absolutely giddy about historical trivia mid-mystery, leading her to make this list of adorkable characters.
9
Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons)
‘The Big Bang Theory’ (2007–2019)
The Big Bang Theory is host to some of the most adorable dorks to ever be seen on television, but Dr. Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) has to be one of the most brilliantly adorable goofballs—a true genius whose unintentional humor, ego, and quirks make him eternally lovable.
With Sheldon’s consistent, blunt dialogue and genius brain, his adorkable moments are boundless. From practicing his smiles in the mirror in order to seem friendly—all the while looking insanely goofy while doing it—to buying dozens of cats to console his broken heart and naming them with meticulous geeky pride. Critics have lauded the character as an endearingly innocent force, who has an inability to act like most adults—which only makes him all the more adorkable in fans’ eyes.
8
Mabel Pines (Kristen Schaal)
‘Gravity Falls’ (2012–2016)
This animated character is a lovable, unabashedly goofy scrapbooker who embraces life with open arms and unabashed weirdness. Mabel Pines (Kristen Schaal), in all her quirkiness, joins her twin brother on a summer trip to see their great-uncle in a town full of supernatural mysteries in the iconic series Gravity Falls.
As the embodiment of tween adorkability, Mabel dons silly animal-themed sweaters, carries an endless supply of glitter, and holds her head high in all her oddball optimism. While her twin is serious and anxious, Mabel brings the comedy and ultimate enthusiasm for everything life has to offer, drawing in countless fans with her infectious joy for the world. With glitter, sunshine, and a heart as big as her fantastical imagination, Mabel and her love for hugs are definitely a perfect fit for this list of utterly adorable characters.
7
Steve Urkel (Jaleel White)
‘Family Matters’ (1989–1998)
Family Matters is a classic sitcom that has produced one of the most adorably quirky nerds there is. The show revolves around the Winslow family, a middle-class African American family in Chicago, and their hilarious and incredibly iconic, nerdy next-door neighbor Steve Urkel.
Steve was quick to become the show’s breakout character, as viewers couldn’t help but adore the adorkable nerd and all his quirks. Urkel wields a peculiar charm that audiences can’t help but find endearing. He embraces his nerdhood with pride while standing unabashed in his love for science and the sassy Laura Winslow (Kellie Shanygne Williams). This makes for a plethora of comedic scenes as well as countless adorable dorkiness, which makes him the perfect contender for this list of absolutely adorable dorks.
6
Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo)
‘Stranger Things’ (2016–)
This Stranger Things character is often lauded as the soul of the popular kid gang seen in the ’80s nostalgia-themed series. Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo) comes to screens through the remarkable Netflix show that features secret experiments, mysteries, and supernatural forces, and still shines with nerdy one-liners and a lovable lisp.
Dustin is truly adorkable in all respects: chatty, excitable, and often enough, the peacemaker of his friend group. Dustin’s cute lisp and sweet yet adorably sassy personality make for not only a compelling character but also one of the most endearing hearts in the captivating series. Whether he’s enthusiastically singing “NeverEnding Story” in a lovable and public romantic serenade or cooing over his pet baby Demogorgon, Dustin stands as a humorous, big-hearted character that embodies huge amounts of adorkability.
5
Chidi Anagonye (William Jackson Harper)
‘The Good Place’ (2016–2020)
Chidi Anagonye (William Jackson Harper) is a former ethics professor who is as hopelessly kind as he is neurotic. The Good Place follows Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell), who finds herself in “The Good Place,” and instantly realizes she doesn’t belong there. At her side is Chidi—her anxious yet hilariously adorkable Good Place soulmate.
Chidi’s adorkability stems from his insanely paralyzing indecisiveness about even the smallest of choices, and his big philosophical brain, which spews facts at some of the most inconvenient but ultimately hilarious times. Though he is comedically high-strung, Chidi has an incredibly big heart, with a desire to be good and to do right by those he cares about. With his brainy problem-solving, his often painful indecision, and a charm that makes him one of the most favored characters of beloved fantasy series, Chidi definitely stands as a true lovable and extremely dorky, Good Place angel.
4
Clark Kent (Tyler Hoechlin)
‘Superman & Lois’ (2021–2024)
This truly iconic superhero is well-known for his adorable, dorky qualities as he is disguised as Clark Kent (Tyler Hoechlin). The fan-favorite series, Superman & Lois, showcases the Man of Steel as a very down-to-earth husband and father, as he saves the day and juggles an ordinary life with extraordinary happenings.
Clark Kent in any show, or cinematic universe, is anything but ordinary—yet somehow, in every version, he’s undeniably dorky. In Superman & Lois, he is exceedingly so, with tacky clothing and adorable dad jokes. Clark wears his heart on his sleeve, often stumbling through life with earnestness, empathy, and a nerdy quality that draws in massive amounts of fans. As much as the character embodies who Clark always is, this portrayal is a wholesome dork that gives the best hugs and is insanely likable as he fumbles through teen angst, being a good dad, and standing as the best super-powered husband.
3
Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan)
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997–2003)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a supernatural fantasy series that follows Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and her friends as they battle demons, vampires, and countless other supernatural evils. Among Buffy’s gang of friends is the initially shy and adorably awkward Willow Rosenberg, who acts as the brain and the heart of her butt-kicking friend group.
With adorkable lines that could easily come from her, like “Hi, I’m Willow. I’m scary and deadly,”—the kind of thing she might awkwardly say to vampires—Willow is a true shoo-in for this list. She’s a stammering mass of nerves when viewers are first introduced to her, but over time, while her adorableness stays in place, she transforms into a powerhouse witch who stands as one of the show’s most memorable characters. With a goofy personality and a shy, awkward demeanor, Willow’s journey is one of empowerment and self-discovery, a transformation that did nothing for her lovable dorkiness.
2
Jessica “Jess” Day (Zooey Deschanel)
‘New Girl’ (2011–2018)
This character is an offbeat young woman who is well-known as a simply adorable character. New Girl showcases Jessica “Jess” Day (Zooey Deschanel), who, after a bad breakup, moves into an LA loft with three single men.
Jess is instantly set apart from the other protagonists of the beloved comedy series, not only because she’s the only woman living with three men, but simply for being so unapologetically herself. And although her new gang of friends finds her behavior a bit unusual—much like the audience—they can’t help but adore her. Gloriously clumsy, awkward, and prone to serenading herself, Jess is an incredibly likable character who is both memorable and impossible not to love. With Jess’ polka-dot dresses, big glasses, and a plethora of odd quirks, her offbeat personality makes her the ultimate queen of the adorkable, who fans completely adore.
1
Stiles Stilinski (Dylan O’Brien)
‘Teen Wolf’ (2011–2017)
Stiles Stilinski is a fan favorite sidekick in the popular MTV series Teen Wolf. The show follows the young and once ordinary Scott McCall (Tyler Posey) after he is bitten by a werewolf and is forced into the world of the supernatural. At his side is the completely human, but anything but normal, best friend, Stiles Stilinski (Dylan O’Brien).
Teen Wolf is truly nothing without the iconic and beloved Stiles. He not only delivers some of the show’s best entertainment through his goofball, dorky antics, but he also stands as a grounding rock in Scott’s chaotic world of supernatural threats. Capable of cracking jokes in life-or-death situations and bursting out ill-timed comments that often end up being unexpectedly hilarious, Stiles is the comedic heart of the entire show, who embraces his nerdy dorkiness with sassy pride. With a spark that shines brilliantly when he’s coming up with a new plan, and a hilarious charm that embodies adorkable energy, Stiles Stilinski remains one of the most unforgettable adorkable TV characters of all time.
