#10: Jim Backus as Thurston Howell III
On Gilligan’s Island, Backus portrayed Thurston Howell III, the endlessly wealthy, pompous millionaire stranded with his wife. The character’s exaggerated upper-class mannerisms, malapropisms, and obliviousness fueled much of the show’s satire. Backus leaned into broad comedy, making Howell both ridiculous and oddly charming.
The role amplified Backus’s fame and introduced him to a new generation of viewers. Already well-known, he became inseparable from the millionaire persona. The character solidified his image as a comedic aristocrat and ensured steady work in television appearances, voice roles, and Gilligan-related projects for years.