1

Friends

Image: David Vives

We’ll start with what many consider to be the quintessential sitcom. Debuting in 1994, Friends followed the varied and whimsical lives of six New Yorkers —Chandler, Joey, Ross, Monica, Rachel, and Phoebe—and the everyday adventures they found themselves in. Throughout its 10-year run, Friends received acclaim from both critics and viewers alike and is now considered one of the most successful and highest-grossing television shows of all time.

2

Seinfeld

Image: photo by Alan Light, CC BY 2.0

You might think that a sitcom describing itself as " a show about nothing " wouldn’t be particularly successful—let alone one of the most iconic shows of all time. And yet, Seinfeld remains one of the most influential shows in history, praised for its sharp writing and incredibly talented cast. The series follows comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his three eccentric friends—Elaine, George, and Kramer—as they navigate the often absurd minutiae of daily life.

3

Mad About You

Image: Mandy von Stahl

While sitcom settings may vary greatly, most tend to revolve around subjects that resonate with audiences—love, the workplace, or family life, for example. In that sense, the 1992 sitcom Mad About You seemed to embrace the phrase "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it" as its mantra. The show centered on a young married couple (played by Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt) living in New York City. As simple as the premise might sound, the series’ stellar performances and insightful writing earned it numerous awards, including 12 Emmys and 4 Golden Globes.

4

The Big Bang Theory

Image: Ben Griffiths

The Big Bang Theory faced the difficult task of making the world of science fun and accessible . Luckily, it had an extremely lovable and talented cast that rose to the occasion. The first episode introduces us to Leonard and Sheldon, two physicists whose lives take an unexpected turn when they meet their new next-door neighbor, Penny.

5

Modern Family

Image: Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0

As we mentioned earlier, family life is a recurring theme in many sitcoms. However, the 2009 show Modern Family put a fresh spin on this concept by focusing on three separate yet interconnected families. The series not only featured an exceptionally talented cast but also placed its many characters in both hilarious and heartfelt situations.

6

The Honeymooners

Image: Lauren Richmond

First aired in 1955, The Honeymooners revolves around New York City bus driver Ralph Kramden and his wife, Alice (wonderfully portrayed by Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows). Gleason’s quick wit, combined with the show’s many catchphrases ("Bang, zoom, straight to the Moon!" and "Homina, homina!", to name a few), quickly cemented the series in American pop culture. Not only that, many timeless shows, such as The Flintstones , were inspired by The Honeymooners .

7

Cheers

Image: Yutacar

Like many Americans, you might frequent a local "watering hole"—a small bar or tavern where you can unwind and enjoy a drink or two with friends. In that sense, the 1982 sitcom Cheers perfectly captured that feeling from the very start, with its iconic theme song praising a magical place " where everybody knows your name ." The sitcom was so successful that it inspired Frasier , a spin-off centered around one of Cheers’ most popular characters.

8

Community

Image: Unseen Studio

In case you didn’t know, the term "sitcom" is short for "situational comedy." As you might expect, the setting in which these situations unfold is an essential component. With that in mind, showrunner Dan Harmon devised a unique premise for his 2009 show Community . Inspired by the community college he attended in his youth, he created a series centered around a group of quirky misfits studying Spanish at the fictional Greendale Community College.

9

Full House

Image: Ross Joyner

For such a lighthearted sitcom , Full House had a surprisingly somber premise : a recently widowed father (played by Bob Saget) enlists the help of his best friend and brother-in-law to raise his three daughters. Nevertheless, the show quickly became a beloved classic, running for eight seasons and earning several awards along the way.

10

All in the Family

Image: Simon Berger

Few names command as much respect and admiration in comedy writing circles as Norman Lear . This legendary screenwriter and producer was responsible for some of the most iconic shows in television history, including The Jeffersons , Sanford and Son , and One Day at a Time . With that in mind, choosing his best show is no easy task, but we believe All in the Family is the strongest contender. Not only was this 1971 sitcom hilarious and sharp-witted , but it also tackled major issues such as religion and the Vietnam War.

11

I Love Lucy

Image: Mayur Gala

We’ll end this article with what many consider to be the sitcom that started it all . Starring Lucille Ball and her husband, Desi Arnaz, the 1951 show I Love Lucy follows Lucy Ricardo, a New York City housewife determined to break into show business. Soon after its premiere, it became the most-watched show in the United States and went on to win five Emmy Awards. To this day, it remains one of the most influential television shows in history.

1

Abraham Lincoln

Image: Jacob Thorson

"You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was" is an iconic line attributed to Abraham Lincoln. The funny thing is, he was indeed very tall, remarkably so. In fact, he holds the title of the tallest US president! At 6'4", Honest Abe was a really tall man for his era (and also by today's standards). Plus, his trademark stovepipe -where he was said to keep papers and documents- added even more inches!

2

Thomas Jefferson

Image: David Trinks

Thomas Jefferson was not only one of the Founding Fathers; he was also one of our country's tallest presidents. At 6'2.5", Jefferson was pretty close to the towering Lincoln!

In addition, there are records that speak of his large hands and feet, and it's stated that he wore size 12 shoes, which were considered very large.

3

George Washington

Image: Dave Lowe

At 6'2", the first President of the United States, George Washington, was also one of the tallest Commanders-in-chief. However, there was much more than just his height.

According to historical records, The Father of His Country was also strong and muscular, standing out from a young age in disciplines such as horseback riding and wrestling.

4

George H. W. Bush

Image: David Everett Strickler

During his youth, George H. W. Bush played as the captain of Yale University's baseball team, where his 6'2" height made him stand out. In fact, he ranks 5th among the tallest US Presidents. However, several other presidents also stood at 6'2", including the aforementioned George Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Bill Clinton, and Chester A. Arthur, who all share the fifth spot.

5

Ronald Reagan

Image: Nicolas HIPPERT

Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the US, stood at 6'1", which made him about 4 inches taller than the average height of men in his time. As is well known, Reagan maintained an athletic body from a young age and well into adulthood, enjoying activities like horseback riding and swimming.

Even before his political career, Reagan's height and presence -along with his skills and charisma- helped him get acting roles in Hollywood, where he went on to star in dozens of films.

6

John F. Kennedy

Image: Florida Memory

Although several presidents were taller, John F. Kennedy still stood above the average at 6'1".

You've probably seen images of JFK standing beside his opponent, Richard Nixon, during the 1960 US presidential campaign, right? As you can see in those pictures, as well as in the famous TV debate, Kennedy appears quite taller than Nixon. Additionally, JFK's voluminous hair -one of his trademarks- added a few more inches.

7

Richard Nixon

Image: History in HD

Some specialists claim that a candidate's height may influence the outcome of presidential elections, tipping the balance in favor of the taller candidate. They say this might have been the case in the 1960 election. However, Richard Nixon's 5'11" didn't stop him from becoming the 37th President of the United States. He won the 1968 election, defeating Hubert Humphrey (also 5'11"), and was re-elected in 1972 with a victory over George McGovern (6'1").

8

Jimmy Carter

Image: Suzy Brooks

Just one inch shorter than Nixon, President Jimmy Carter stood at 5'10", surpassing the average height for an American man by a hair's breadth but falling just below the average presidential height of 5'11".

From a young age, Carter was involved in various sports and outdoor activities, and his tendency to maintain an active lifestyle was emphasized during his presidency.

9

John Adams

Image: sarina gr

Now, it's the turn of presidents whose heights were slightly below the average for American men. Among them is the extraordinary John Adams, the second President of the United States, who stood at 5'7".

What distinguished this Founding Father wasn't his physique but his amazing intelligence, charisma, and strong character, which were fundamental in shaping our nation.

10

James Madison

Image: Richard Hedrick

Finally, we come to James Madison, the 4th US President and the Father of the Constitution. At 5'4", Madison was the shortest president in American history. Some portraits of the time depict him alongside his wife, Dolley Madison, who was not only slightly taller but also wore hats that added extra inches to her height.

However, despite Madison's shorter stature, it's undeniable that his role in shaping the United States was immense.

1

Judy Garland

Image: Sandy Millar

Hollywood's Golden Age wouldn't have been the same without the iconic Judy Garland. Born in Minnesota as Frances Ethel Gumm in 1922, Garland began her acting career at the age of seven. Most of us, however, know her best for her role as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz (1939).

Acting and art weren't the only things in Judy Garland's life; love also played a significant role. Throughout her life, the actress married 5 times. Her first wedding took place in Las Vegas, where she married composer David Rose in 1941. They divorced 3 years later. In 1945, Judy Garland had her second wedding, this time to director Vincente Minnelli. They had a daughter who would later become a world-renowned star: Liza Minnelli (who, in turn, has been married 4 times). Her third marriage was the longest—her union with Sidney Luft lasted from 1952 to 1965. After divorcing Luft, Garland married two more times: first to Mark Herron (1965–1969) and then to Mickey Deans (1969).

2

Clark Gable

Image: Thomas AE

Known to many as "the King of Hollywood," we all remember the actor Clark Gable for his role as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind (1939). His irresistible charisma and looks made him a heartthrob in his time. Among many love stories—some more tranquil than others—Gable married five times over his life.

In 1924, he married actress Josephine Dillon, who was 17 years older than him. The marriage lasted 6 years. In 1931, Gable became a husband for the second time, marrying actress Maria "Ria" Franklin, whom he divorced 8 years later. Shortly after his second divorce, the actor married Carole Lombard in 1939. Sadly, Lombard passed away 3 years after the wedding.

Several years passed before Gable found love again. In 1949, he married British actress Sylvia Ashley, but they broke up 3 years later. Finally, in 1955, he entered his fifth and final marriage to actress and model Kay Williams, whom he declared to be the love of his life.

3

Tony Curtis

Image: Laura Gariglio

He was born Bernard Schwartz on June 3, 1925, in The Bronx, but the world knew him as Tony Curtis.

After serving in the US Navy, Curtis changed his career to become one of the most memorable actors of Hollywood's Golden Age. You might remember him alongside Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon in Some Like It Hot (1959).

Curtis didn't shy away from saying, "I do"—he married 6 times! His wives included actresses Janet Leigh (1951-1962), Christine Kaufmann (1963-1968), Leslie Allen (1968-1982), Andrea Savio (1984-1992), Lisa Deutsch (1993-1994), and Jill Vandenberg (1998-2010). The actor had a total of 6 children from his different marriages, including the well-known actress Jamie Lee Curtis.

4

Rita Hayworth

Image: Cate Bligh

In 1918, New York City saw the birth of the iconic Rita Hayworth. Although she began her career as a teenager, most of the public remembers her for her performance in the noir classic film Gilda (1946).

Noted for her extraordinary beauty and captivating performances, Hayworth tied the knot 5 times during her lifetime. Her first husband was Edward C. Judson, whom she wed in 1937, though the marriage ended 5 years later. Rita Hayworth's second husband may ring a bell: it was Orson Welles, to whom she was married from 1943 to 1947. From 1949 to 1953, she was married to socialite and ambassador Aly Khan. Then, she walked down the aisle with singer Dick Haymes, whom she divorced in 1955. Her fifth and final marriage was to producer James Hill, lasting from 1958 to 1961.

5

Larry King

Image: Marcus Lewis

It's the turn of a TV and radio star. We're talking about the iconic Larry King, one of the most famous hosts in entertainment history.

King was born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger on November 19, 1933, in New York City. His career began in the 1950s, and it didn't take him long to gain national fame.

King said, "I Do" 8 times! His first marriage was to Freda Miller when he was only 19 years old. They were married from 1952 to 1953, though the marriage was allegedly annulled by their parents. Later, he was the husband of Annette Kaye (1961), Alene Akins (1961-1963), Mickey Sutphin (1963-1967), Alene Akins again (1967-1972), Sharon Lepore (1976–1983), Julie Alexander (1989–1992), and finally, Shawn Southwick (1997–2021).

6

Rue McClanahan

Image: Thomas AE

The Golden Girls (1985-1992) was one of the most beloved TV shows of the 20th century. In addition to the legendary Betty White, The Golden Girls featured other great actresses, including Rue McClanahan, who famously played Blanche Devereaux on the show.

Throughout her life, Rue McClanahan married 6 times. Her first marriage was in 1958 to Tom Bish, although the couple only lasted a year. In 1959, she married actor Norman Hartweg, to whom she remained married for 2 years. Then, the actress walked down the aisle 4 more times: with Peter DeMaio (1964–1971), Gus Fisher (1976–1979), Tom Keel (1984–1985), and Morrow Wilson (1997-2010).

7

Lana Turner

Image: Jeremy Wong Weddings

The 1938 film Love Finds Andy Hardy brought actress Lana Turner to stardom, who became one of the most famous figures of Hollywood's Golden Age. Her most recognized role, however, was in the film The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946); have you seen it?

Despite a busy professional life, Lana Turner found time to marry on 8 occasions. In chronological order, her husbands were: Artie Shaw (1940-1941), Stephen Crane ( twice, from 1942 to 1944), Henry J. Topping, Jr. (1948-1952), Lex Barker (1953-1957), Fred May (1960-1962), Robert Eaton (1965-1969), and Ronald Pellar (1969-1972). It seems that getting married was all the rage in the early 20th century!

8

Mickey Rooney

Image: Tom Pumford

Perhaps the famous actor Mickey Rooney may have unknowingly set a record when, at just 17 months old, he stepped on stage for the first time as part of his parents' vaudeville act.

But his fame took off when he played the iconic teenager Andy Hardy in A Family Affair (1937), the first in a series of films that would make him an absolute star. His career expanded over 90 years, with major roles in TV, film, and theater.

Hi s love life was almost as famous as his professional life: Rooney married 8 times! Impressive! His first wife was the renowned Ava Gardner , whom he married in 1942 and divorced a year later. Between 1944 and 1969, the actor would marry Betty Jane Baker, Martha Vickers, Elaine Devry, Carolyn Mitchell, Marge Lane, and Carolyn Hockett. Finally, in 1978, he married his last wife, Jan Chamberlin.

9

Henry Fonda

Image: Nathan Dumlao

We can't talk about Hollywood without mentioning Henry Fonda, one of the best-remembered actors of the 20th century. Fonda initially started out studying journalism, but once he joined a theater company and discovered acting, he never strayed from this great passion. His iconic film roles include Abraham Lincoln in Young Mr. Lincoln (1939), Tom Joad in The Grapes of Wrath (1940), and Wyatt Earp in My Darling Clementine (1946).

In addition to a busy professional life, Fonda also had room for love: he married 5 times during his lifetime. His first marriage was to actress Margaret Sullavan from 1931 to 1933. In 1936, hhe married Frances Ford Seymour, with whom he had two children: Jane Fonda and Peter Fonda, who both became stars. Susan Blanchard (1950-1956), Afdera Franchetti (1957-1961), and Shirlee Mae Adams (1965-1982) were his last 3 wives.

10

Nicolas Cage

Image: Gianni Scognamiglio

Let's finish this list with a more contemporary star. We're talking about Nicolas Cage, the famous actor and producer from California.

Between premieres and film sets, Cage had quite a busy love life. The actor proposed to 5 women throughout his life. The first of them was actress Patricia Arquette, to whom he was married from 1995 to 2001. A year later, in 2002, he married singer Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of the King of Rock and Roll, and this marriage lasted 2 years.

In 2004, he tied the knot with Alice Kim, to whom he was married for 12 years until their divorce in 2016. 3 years after his third divorce, he fell in love with makeup artist Erika Koike, to whom he was married for a couple of months. Finally, in 2021, he married for the fifth time, this time to Japanese actress Riko Shibata. They're together to this day.