One of the most iconic acts in comedy is the comedy duo. It’s a simple act involving two characters with polarizing personalities playing off one another with comedic timing. The most common of these is to have one character be wacky and bombastic, and another be more reserved to contrast them.
The world of animation has produced some of the most iconic duos in entertainment. Some date back to its Golden Age, while others are more recent creations, but all of them are united in their ability to make audiences laugh, cry, and come back for more. The best animation duos are influential, entertaining, and simply unforgettable for many fans who are reminded of some nostalgic viewing experiences every time they see these pairs.
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Gumby and Pokey
In ‘Howdy Doody’ (1955–1956), ‘The Gumby Show’ (1956–1969), ‘Gumby: The Movie’ (1995)
From the mind of stop-motion genius Art Clokey came a series about a Gumby, a green boy made out of clay. With his best friend, an orange pony named Pokey, he travels inside various books to interact with the characters and stories within. Sometimes their adventures lead to them thwarting the evil plans of the Blockheads.
While Gumby had a few friends, his relationship with Pokey was the strongest in the series. His nervous tendencies and occasional bouts of cynicism balanced out Gumby’s more energetic and curious traits. Despite his fears, Pokey never abandons Gumby, showcasing their friendship’s depths.
54
Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog
In ‘Don’t Give Up the Sheep’ (1953), ‘Sheep Ahoy’ (1954), ‘Double or Mutton’ (1955)
Warner Bros. created many iconic duos in their Looney Tunes shorts, but one of the most unique dynamics comes from Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog. At first glance, it seems like it’d be antagonistic: Ralph is constantly trying to steal a herd of sheep, and Sam thwarts him. However, the duo mix things up by only being punch-clock adversaries.
When the whistle blows for quitting time, Ralph and Sam depart on good terms, and sometimes Sam even encourages Ralph that next time might be different. This friendly relationship is a great juxtaposition and serves as a good reminder that your opposition isn’t always your enemy. Plus, the slapstick is hilarious, especially from Sam, who often just remains motionless as he lets Ralph dig his own grave with overly complex gadgets.
53
Rocky and Bullwinkle
In ‘The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends’ (1959-1964)
Airing during the height of the Cold War, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends introduced the world to Rocket J. Squirrel and his friend Bullwinkle the moose. They go on several adventures while thwarting the plans of Russian spies Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale. In between, the show included several fun segments, including Peabody’s Improbable History and Dudley Do-Right.
Despite coming out during the Cold War, Rocky and Bullwinkle’s style of humor has allowed them to last into the modern day, with the most recent nostalgic cartoon reboot in 2018. This is thanks to the duo’s dynamic. Rocky has a wide-eyed and energetic look at the world, while Bullwinkle is dim-witted but surprisingly witty when it comes to his humor.
52
Arnold and Gerald
In ‘Hey Arnold!’ (1996–2004)
Hey Arnold! was one of those kids’ shows that respected the intelligence of its audience and thus wasn’t afraid to tell grounded, realistic stories. The show followed a football-headed youth named Arnold as he navigated life in the big city and all that came with it. No matter what trouble comes his way, be it investigating spooky urban legends or helping to reunite long-lost family members, Arnold was always helped out by his best friend, Gerald.
Arnold and Gerald’s friendship stands out so well thanks to how simple and heartwarming it is. Arnold’s optimism and kindness often lead him to help others, and though Gerald is usually more on the skeptical side, he always helps Arnold out because that’s what best friends do. When they’re not going on adventures, the two can also find fun in the simplest things, which is a good representation of how the best of friends can form fantastic memories through the simplest actions.
51
Tommy and Chuckie
In ‘Rugrats’ (1991–2004), ‘All Grown Up!’ (2003–2008), ‘Rugrats’ (2021–2023)
Rugrats was a staple of 1990s Nickelodeon thanks to its unique premise of showing life from the perspective of toddlers. The most prominent characters are Tommy Pickles, whose house the kids always visit, and Chuckie Finster, who lives with his single father. Tommy would often lead his fellow toddlers on crazy adventures, while Chuckie would try, and usually fail, to voice his concerns.
Beyond their contrasting personalities, Tommy and Chuckie’s friendship is a great example of the complexities that go into building and maintaining friendships. Usually, the two were as close as brothers, but sometimes they could butt heads, especially since their young age meant they couldn’t process their emotions. No matter how many times they fight, they always come back together and sometimes learn from one another, which reaffirms the strength of their friendship.
50
Timon and Pumbaa
In ‘The Lion King’ (1994), ‘Timon & Pumbaa’ (1995–1999), ‘The Lion King’ (2019)
The Lion King wouldn’t be complete without the wacky misadventures of Timon and Pumbaa. An unlikely pair of friends, the witty meerkat Timon and the lovable warthog Pumbaa are inseparable and complement each other perfectly. If there’s one thing fans still remember from the Disney classic, it’s likely the duo’s hit song “Hakuna Matata.”
Although their subsequent appearances in spin-offs have failed to top their original roles in the animated film, Timon and Pumbaa are fondly remembered for the humor and wit they gave young fans back then. They perfectly capture the essence of true friendship.
49
Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable
In ‘Kim Possible’ (2002–2007)
“Call me, beep me if you wanna reach me.” Fans of the iconic animated show from the early 2000s likely still have a special place in their heart for Kim Possible. The series that follows a high school cheerleader by day and crime-fighting prodigy by night would not be the same without the awkward best friend, Ron Stoppable.
Kim can be brave in the face of thrilling missions around the world, knowing she can always count on Ron’s comedic timing and unexpected heroism throughout the series. Everyone needs a strong friendship like the animated duo’s, which hopefully won’t fade into obscurity anytime soon.
48
Mordecai and Rigby
In ‘Regular Show’ (2010–2017)
Regular Show was one of Cartoon Network’s breakout hits of the 2010s and followed the adventures of best friends Mordecai and Rigby. This duo of anthropomorphic animals work as groundskeepers at their local park, but would rather be doing anything else. This leads to them often getting into trouble as they try to find ways to shirk responsibility.
Concerning their dynamic, Mordecai is the more level-headed of the two, while Rigby is the more chaotic and selfish one. Though they can occasionally get on each other’s nerves, they are a wholesome depiction of best friends, as they always have each other’s backs and love nothing else than to just hang out and share catchphrases. As the series goes on, both of them are subjected to character development that sees them grow up as they begin to find purpose in their lives.
47
Chip and Dale
In ‘Private Pluto’ (1943), ‘Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers’ (1989–1990), (2022)
Disney’s Chip and Dale are lovable chipmunks first introduced in the short film Private Pluto in 1943. After viewers fell in love with their adorable appearance, hilarious antics, and penchant for adventure, there was no stopping the franchise that would be centered on these characters (one of the funny duos of our time).
Known today for their appearances in numerous films, shows, and even video games, the duo has become one of Disney’s most recognizable pairs. Their most recent movie, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, received praise from critics and audiences alike, highlighting their enduring popularity today as one of the best cartoon duos.
46
Dipper and Mabel Pines
In ‘Gravity Falls (2012–2016)
Twin siblings Dipper and Mabel Pines are sent to live with their great-uncle Stan in Gravity Falls over the summer. Mabel can’t wait to make new friends and hopefully find a boyfriend, while Dipper becomes engrossed in a mysterious journal. Reading it informs Dipper of various strange and mysterious activities that plague the town, and the deeper he dives into the mystery, the more it seems like Stan is connected to everything.
Gravity Falls was one of Disney’s biggest successes in the 2010s, and the relationship between the Pines siblings was a major factor in that. The two captured all the pros and cons of sibling dynamics, from their spats due to their contrasting personalities and the sweetness of their silly rituals and in-jokes. They also work as individual characters: Mabel is an energetic ball of joy whose imagination is as creative as it is off-putting, while Dipper has a strong intellect that is held back by his social awkwardness.
