Walton Gogginshas been an unforgettable TV presence for years. For years, Goggins has proven himself capable of handling bothcomedicanddramaticroles, often blending the two. In the many movies and TV shows he’s been involved with, Goggins consistently highlights his ability to create relatable and sympathetic characters who are often in the middle of some kind of crisis.Goggins' commitment to each of his characters is what makes each of them memorable.
There are severalTVcharacters Goggins has created over the years that immediately stand out. Some characters highlight Goggins' sensibilities as a comedic actor and his ability to bring a dry, sarcastic wit to any story. Other characters highlight Goggins' abilities as a dramatic actor as he creates characters who are pushed to their emotional limits.Goggins' best TV characters are unique, often chaotic, and always easy to invest in despite their many flaws.
10Richard “Rip” Taggart
‘Six’ (2017–2018)
Sixis a military drama that follows the daily lives of the members of SEAL Team Six as they’re on their mission to Afghanistan. Goggins plays “Rip” Taggart, a troop leader decision when he takes out a possible terror threat.He later becomes a security contractor, and is tasked with protecting an all-girls school in Nigeria. It slowly comes out thatRip’s history with SEAL Team Sixis more complicated than it initially seems.
Rip Taggart is a dramatic character, and he makes questionable decisions that put him in dangerous situations. Goggins uses this character to highlight his ability to play morally gray and troubled characters. For all his flaws,Rip is easy to empathize with because he’s clearly struggling so much. Rip represents Goggins' ability to focus on his characters' humanity, and make them easy to sympathize with, even when they make unfortunate and dangerous choices.
This military drama series follows members of the U.S. Navy SEAL Team Six, as they embark on high-risk missions around the world. Balancing their professional duties with personal struggles, the show delves into the complexities of combat, loyalty, and the bonds that define these elite soldiers.
9Lee Russell
‘Vice Principals’ (2016–2017)
Vice Principalsfocuses ontwo high school vice principals as they form an uneasy alliance to take down a principal they loathe. The series is a darkly comedic meditation on the bureaucracy of small-town American high schools. Goggins stars as Lee Russell, co-vice principal toDanny McBride’s Neal Gamby. Lee and Neal plot and scheme against Dr. Belinda Brown (Kimberly Hébert Gregory), who their principal has appointed because he trusts neither of his vice principals.
Goggins' role in this series highlights his ability to create a comedic character with a dark twist. The fact that Lee is able to go to such lengths just to get what he wants makes him fun to watch.Vice Principalsis a chance for Gogginsto show off his comedic skills as he plays a lovably unhinged character.Watching Lee self-destruct is both hilarious and surprisingly catharticas he gets what’s coming to him as he tries to ruin a woman’s career.
Vice Principals
In a competitive scramble for the top position at a high school, two vice principals engage in a no-holds-barred rivalry filled with elaborate pranks and manipulations. As their feud escalates, both combatants must confront their flawed perceptions of power and the quirky realities of educational leadership.
8Wade Felton
‘The Unicorn’ (2019–2021)
The Unicornintroduces Wade (Goggins), a widowed father with two daughters, who is encouraged to start dating again by his friends. He finds himself highly sought after, much to his surprise. The series focuses onWade’s journey navigating grief and the realities of re-entering the dating scene as a single father.The Unicornis a heartfelt character studyof a man who just wants to do right by himself and his daughters as they navigate their new reality.
Wade is a charming character who gives Goggins a chance to show off his range.Wade is deeply sympathetic and easy to root for, and Goggins infuses his story with heart. While Goggins is known for creating morally complex or morally ambiguous characters, he focuses on Wade’s humanity to create someone who’s easy to relate to. Anyone who has ever experienced grief can find much to love in this character as he makes the best of his new life.
The Unicorn
7Venus Van Dam
‘Sons of Anarchy’ (2008–2014)
Sons of Anarchyis a crime drama that follows the members of an outlaw motorcycle club. The series explores themes of love, loyalty, betrayal, and redemption.The series specificallyfocuses on Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam), the club’s vice president and eventual president, ashe grapples with his loyalty to the outlaw biker lifestyle and his desire to leave the groupand start a new life. Venus Van Dam (Goggins) is introduced in the fifth season.
While it’s important to note that this role would and should absolutely go to a trans actress today, it’s clear that Goggins cares deeply about Venus.Venus' relationship with Tig (Kim Coates) is particularly notable, since it’s clear they love each other deeply. Venus is easy to love from the moment she’s introduced, despite her flaws. This character stands out as one of Goggins' best TV characters because he brings such compassion to a series that needs it.
Sons of Anarchy
A biker struggles to balance being a father and being involved in an outlaw motorcycle club.
6Cecil Stedman
‘Invincible’ (2021–)
Invincibleis an animated superhero series that introduces Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun), who begins developing superpowers inherited from his father, Omni-Man (J. K. Simmons), the world’s most powerful superhero.The series follows Mark as he trains, becoming a superhero in his own right, and as he uncovers dark truths about his father’s origins and intentions.Goggins is the voice of Cecil Stedman, the head of a secretive government organization tasked with protecting Earth from superhuman threats.
Cecil Stedman is an important character in the series, even if he isn’t a central one. This character is also an opportunity for Goggins to highlight his ability to create characters who are powerful behind the scenes, even if they aren’t the focus of the main story.With his voice alone, Goggins creates a character who clearly has more going on than what meets the eye. The way Goggins is able to show how effectively Cecil stays a step ahead of everyone else makes this one of Goggins' most notable TV characters.
Invincible
Invincible is an adult animated superhero series that revolves around 17-year-old Mark Grayson, who’s just like every other guy his age — except his father is the most powerful superhero on the planet, Omni-Man. But as Mark develops powers of his own, he discovers his father’s legacy may not be as heroic as it seems.
5Rick Hatchett
‘The White Lotus’ (2021–)
The most recent installment of the anthology series,The White Lotus,follows guests at the Thailand location of the titular luxury resort. Goggins plays Rick Hatchett, an emotionally distant partner to Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), who wants nothing more than to love him and be loved in return. From the moment he’s introduced,it’s clear Rick has more on his mind than being on vacation with his girlfriend. As a character, Rick represents so much of what makesThe White Lotusso compelling.
What makes Rick one of Goggins' most compelling characters is how unlikable he is yet how impossible it is to root against him. Rick’s inability to let go of his resentment, hurt and anger makes him one of the most interesting men in a series filled with unhinged characters.Goggins' highlights Rick’s pain and his inability to process it in a healthy way, which ultimately leads to both Rick and Chelsea’s demise. The fact that Rick is such a tragic character who still has a wicked sense of humor makes him one of Goggins' best TV characters.
The White Lotus
The White Lotus is a television series that explores the interactions of guests and staff at an upscale tropical resort. Premiering in 2021, the narrative unfolds over a week, revealing underlying complexities and tensions among the resort’s seemingly ideal travelers and employees.
4The Ghoul / Cooper Howard
‘Fallout’ (2024–)
Falloutis a post-apocalyptic thriller series that follows a society that has had to rebuild years after nuclear bombs ended the world. The series is based on thevideo game of the same name. The series takes place in an alternate universe wherethe development of nuclear weapons after World War II led to a nuclear conflict between China and the United States.Falloutfollows the generations of people after the war who have made new lives for themselves in fallout bunkers known as Vaults.
The Ghoul, who was once known as Cooper Howard, is arguablyFallout’s most important characterbecause he serves as a connection point between the past and present. Cooper was originally an actor and ambassador for the defense corporation responsible for developing the Vaults, before being mutated by nuclear radiation. This is one of Goggins' most notable TV characters becausehe has such a unique perspective and captures the moral ambiguity that would naturally come with a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
In a future, post-apocalyptic Los Angeles brought about by nuclear decimation, citizens must live in underground bunkers to protect themselves from radiation, mutants and bandits.
3Boyd Crowder
‘Justified’ (2010–2015)
Justifiedis a crime drama that introduces Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant), a U.S. Marshal who finds himself reassigned to his rural hometown of Harlan, Kentucky, after a shooting. He has to confront the corruption and old grudges that are part of the town’s culture.Goggins plays Boyd Crowder, the son of one of Harlan’s biggest career criminals.Raylan and Boyd were childhood friends who took vastly different paths in life.
As a character, Boyd is most interesting when he’s put up against Raylan, and the two are allowed to play a game of cat-and-mouse. Boyd Crowder is one of Goggins' best characters because he showcases how well he’s able to lean into a character’s relationships and make them essential to their growth. Through Boyd, Goggins is also able to showcase how well he’s able to create characters who thrive in tension and chaos.
2Shane Vendrell
‘The Shield’ (2002–2008)
The Shieldfollows themembers of a corrupt but effective anti-gang unit in the Los Angeles Police Departmentknown as the Strike Team. The group is led by Detective Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis), and they use brutal tactics and illegal methods to bring down criminals. The series highlights the moral ambiguity of this team as they blur the lines between becoming more corrupt and seeking justice.Goggins plays Detective Shane Vendrell, who starts the series as Vic’s best friend, but eventually falls out with him.
Shane Vendrell is one of the most complicated TV characters Goggins' has ever played, and one of his earliest. Through Shane, Goggins is able to present a character who’s morally conflicted after witnessing a lot as part of his job. He’s reckless and often jumps head-first into situations that require deeper thought. The way Goggins is able to keep Shane interesting even as he spirals further out of control is a testament to his ability to keep his characters grounded.
The Shield
1Baby Billy Freeman
‘The Righteous Gemstones’ (2019–2025)
The Righteous Gemstonesis a satirical series about a dysfunctional televangelist dynasty. The series follows family patriarch Eli Gemstone (John Goodman) and his adult children, who live lavish lifestyles funded by the church.Goggins plays Baby Billy Freeman, Eli’s brother-in-law and a failed child star. He has a strained relationship with the Gemstones because he depends on them for money, and he has a pattern of abandoning people he loves.
What makesBaby Billy Goggins the best TV characteris the fact that Goggins infuses him with charisma, absurdity, and often surprising emotional depth. Despite this character’s cartoonish selfishness and commitment to living his best life on his family’s dime, Goggins somehow makes him lovable.Goggins stays away from making Baby Billy a comedic caricature and focuses on the fact that he’s actually quite a tragic figure, which makes this character shine.
The Righteous Gemstones
Follows a world-famous televangelist family with a long tradition of deviance, greed, and charitable work.
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