Married...With Children was one of those shows that people either loved or hated. It’s not hard to see why it was so polarizing. After all, it seemed to take a lot of joy in pushing buttons and in being as vulgar as possible. Despite its low-brow primetime ethos, it was actually a very funny show, with some surprisingly complex performances from its cast. From Peggy to Al, Bud to Kelly, these were characters that in some ways managed to transcend the sitcom formula.
Fortunately, many members of the cast went on to have very successful careers, appearing in a number of highly-regarded film and television series.
David Faustino - Star-ving (2009 - ) - 7.6
David Faustino, of course, portrayed the very hormonal and sexual teenager Bud, a man who really struggled to get girls to pay attention to him. While his role as Bud was probably Faustino’s biggest and most famous roles, he would go on to appear in this series, which is basically a fictionalized version of his own life. It’s an edgy comedy, and Faustino plays this ironic version of himself to the absolute hilt.
Christina Applegate - Heart Of The City (1986-1987) - 7.7
Though she played the ditzy blonde Kelly in the series, Christina Applegate managed to infuse the role with a certain vivacity that managed to be something more than a stereotype. Right before she appeared in Married, she was in this short-lived series about a detective in Los Angeles who has to juggle his professional life with raising his two daughters. It didn’t last very long, however, so it’s definitely a good thing that Applegate moved right into her next role.
Christina Applegate - Dead To Me (2019) - 8.0
Christina Applegate is one of those actresses who is a tireless worker, always appearing in yet another series. This one is one of her best yet, a show in which she stars as a woman whose husband was killed in a hit-and-run accident and then unwittingly befriends the one responsible. It’s an edgy and dark comedy of the best kind, and there’s an undeniable chemistry between the leads, both of whom make the absolute most of the material that they are given.
Amanda Bearse - You’re So Cool, Brewster! The Story Of Fright Night (2016) - 8.3
Amanda Bearse is, of course, most famous for portraying the character of Marcy, the Bundys’ next-door neighbor and Al’s nemesis, who loves reminding him of what a failure he is. She also starred in the horror film Fright Night, arguably one of the most disturbing vampire films ever made.
She also appeared in this documentary about the making of that film, and it’s always a pleasure to see her on the screen again.
Katey Sagal - The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019) - 8.1
It’s probably not an exaggeration to say that Katey Sagal is one of the finest actresses of her generation. She’s one of those people who just seems so comfortable and natural in any role, whether it’s comedy or drama. Given her titanic talents, it’s not surprising that she would appear in The Big Bang Theory, one of the most popular comedies of recent years. She plays Penny’s mother, and, as always, it’s great to see her.
David Faustino - The Legend Of Korra (2012-2014) - 8.4
In addition to his live-action work, David Faustino has provided the voice for animation, including The Legend of Korra, which takes place in a universe in which there are those who have power over certain elements.
Faustino plays the character of Mako, who is one of those who can control the element of fire. Faustino manages to imbue this character with a lot of heart and soul, demonstrating that he’s as adept in animation as he is in live-action.
Katey Sagal - Futurama (1999-2013) - 8.4
For those who didn’t see Sagal in her turn as Peggy Bundy, they almost certainly heard her voice as Leela in the hit animated comedy Futurama. There’s no question that Leela is the best character on the show, and it’s actually quite refreshing to see such an empowered and feisty female character in a science fiction series. Of course, a big part of Leela’s charm as a character comes from Sagal’s voice, and she manages to make Leela a truly complex and compelling figure.
Ed O'Neill - Modern Family (2009-2020) - 8.4
It’s rare enough for an actor to achieve an iconic role in a career on television, and it’s even rarer for them to achieve two, but that’s exactly what Ed O’Neill has managed to do. Not only did he portray Al Bundy, but he also played the character of Jay in Modern Family.
There are some elements of Al in Jay, of course, but, for the most part, he’s a much nicer and more loving person than Al, a man who dearly loves his family—even if he is sometimes confused by their antics and behavior.
Katey Sagal - Sons Of Anarchy (2008-2014) - 8.6
Though Katey Sagal has frequently appeared in comedies, in her role in Sons of Anarchy, she showed that she also has tremendous talent as a dramatic actress. She plays the character of Gemma Teller Morrow, and she is definitely one of the most complex characters that Sagal has ever played.
She appeared in all seven seasons of the show, during which she managed to bring this character to brilliant and searing life. She even won a Golden Globe for her performance.
Ed O'Neill - Youngstown: Still Standing (2010) - 8.8
In addition to his numerous other acting credits, Ed O’Neill also appeared in this documentary about the city in Ohio that has, in recent decades, fallen on hard times. Having been born in Youngstown himself, O’Neill provides some valuable context about the city and his youth there. The documentary as a whole is a moving portrait of a city that still struggles to shake off its negative reputation and its decades of economic decline.