Are there other examples like Family Matters...

[TMC]

where a one time/side character ends up becoming the main character? One of the most popular characters on that show is Steve Urkel a character, who was supposed to be a one time character. And then became a reoccurring character until his popularity shot him to be the main character of the whole series.

[rusty spike]

Perhaps JJ from Good Times, being that dynamite (pun intended) break out star.

[Mr. Television]

I would say Fonzie from HD but he was a semi-regular. I don't know any guest stars that took off like Steve did.

[Mr. Television]

OK I got one . Robin Williams on HD but they gave him his own tv show based on his guest appearance.

[TMC]

TV Shows Where Side Characters Became The Breakout Star

BY CHRIS HODGES/MARCH 31, 2023 1:15 PM EST

Most TV shows, no matter the genre, tend to be at least partially ensemble-based. You'd be hard-pressed to think of too many series that literally only stars one person — and even ones that do, like HBO's "Tracey Takes On...," will generally rely on a vast array of guest performers. That being said, there are definitely plenty of shows that have a clearly-defined "main character." Sitcoms often fit into this mold, frequently built around the comedian or big-name actor that helped to create the show and who usually base it around either a version of themselves or some character they had already developed from their stand-up act or another previous project.

Sometimes, a character will become the lead character as a series goes on even though they weren't originally intended to be so. Whether their popularity eclipsed that of the person that was supposed to be the lead, or they simply became the clearly-defined protagonist of what had previously been an ensemble piece, sometimes a show's audience zeroes in on a supporting character and leads to the show being retooled in order to give that character more — if not the most — screen time.

To be clear, we aren't including examples where a side character was deliberately introduced in order to set up an eventual spin-off, or when an actor's career blew up but their role on the show in question didn't necessarily get any bigger (like Ashton Kutcher in "That '70s Show" or George Clooney in "ER").

[JO Sweet Heart]

I love Cody from Step By Step.

God bless you always!!!

Holly

[Superswiper]

Originally Posted by Mr. Television

I would say Fonzie from HD but he was a semi-regular. I don't know any guest stars that took off like Steve did.

Well, unlike Steve, Fonzie was there from day one (unless you count the pilot). He did start to get a larger role around Season 3 of Happy Days, but unlike Steve in Family Matters, I don't feel Fonzie ever truly took over Happy Days. Richie was still the main star until he left in Season 8. After he left, Joanie and Chachi took his spot.

The closest example I can think of is Randy Marsh from South Park. Early on, he was not much more than just Stan's dad. But over the years, he got more and more focus, until he became more important than the boys themselves at times. Season 23 even had him as the protagonist.