15 Movie Characters That Spent Barely Any Time On Screen, But Still Managed To Become Iconic

One line, executed perfectly, is all that's needed to become iconic.

All movies have their main characters, but sometimes it's the ones with barely any screen time that become the most iconic, or give us the most quotable moments.

DreamWorks Pictures

Here are 15 film characters that were barely on our screens, but stole our hearts anyway.

1. Kimberly Adair Clark as Honey – The Incredibles

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Little screen time? How about NO screen time! One short exchange with her husband, Frozone, had many of us changing the way we say "honey" forever! The line "whyyyy do you need to know??" is etched into my brain. Kimberly's off screen dialogue is undoubtedly some of the most quotable in the whole movie, and she's barely in it!

Best line: "Greater good? I am your wife! I'm the greatest *good* you are ever gonna get!"

Check it out here:

youtube.com

2. Viola Davis as Mrs. Miller – Doubt

Miramax

If anyone can get an Academy Award nomination for less than 10 minutes of screen time, it's Viola – and that's exactly what she did in Doubt. When I think of the film, the first thing that comes to mind is her interaction with Meryl Streep and the extraordinary performance she gives.

Best line: "I'll be standing with my son and those who are good with my son. It'd be nice to see you there."

Take a look here:

youtube.com

3. Stanley Tucci as Caesar – The Hunger Games

Lionsgate

There's nothing particularly new about Stanley stealing the show, and The Hunger Games is a perfect example of this. Somehow, with all the action, drama, and suspense that happens in the movie, it's Ceaser that stays with me. Thanks to Stanley, who absolutely nailed that role, limited screen time didn't stop Caeser from becoming an icon.

Best line: "The Girl on Fire is so cheeky HAHA!"

Watch his best moments here:

youtube.com

4. Matthew McConaughey as Mark Hanna – The Wolf of Wall Street

Paramount Pictures

While Matthew's scene is before any of the real chaos goes down, it's still definitely one of the more memorable ones. The chest-thumping throaty humming move is synonymous with the film, all thanks to this one scene that was actually improvised by Matthew! 

Best line: "You jerk off?"

Take a look here:

youtube.com

5. Estelle Reiner as woman in diner – When Harry Met Sally

Columbia Pictures

"I'll have what she's having"... It's one of the most iconic movie lines of all time, and probably the most iconic rom-com line. Estelle Reiner, who is director Rob Reiner's mother, played the 'female character' in When Harry Met Sally. She was on screen for under a minute, but managed to give us a line so recognisable that even people who haven't seen the movie will quote it!

Best line: It should be fairly obvious...

Take a look here:

youtube.com

6. Drew Barrymore as Casey Becker – Scream

Miramax

Drew is only in Scream for about 12 minutes, and her brutal opening murder scene well and truly sets the tone for the movie, and in turn, the entire franchise. During her time on screen, she's asked that infamous question, "do you like scary movies?", which has become SO synonymous with Scream. Interestingly, it was Drew's idea to be killed off at the start of the movie. She thought it would throw the audience into tailspin à la Janet Leigh in Psycho, as a famous actor's character dying so early on would make viewers feel like none of the characters were truly safe.

Best line: "You tricked me."

Watch it here:

youtube.com

7. David Reale as Glenn Coco – Mean Girls

Paramount Pictures

With zero lines and barely an on-screen appearance, Glen Coco somehow managed to become perhaps THE most iconic Mean Girls character. Of course, the film is one of the most quoted movies out there, but "you go Glen Coco" is certainly one of its most famous lines. All we know about him is that he received four, yes FOUR, candy canes. You go Glen Coco!

Best line: That doesn't really apply here...

Have a look here:

youtube.com

8. Eartha Kitt as Madame Zeroni – Holes

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

If you can still remember the "If Only, If Only" song from Holes, then you're not alone. Madame Zeroni is obviously a vital part of the plot of Holes, but she barely appears on the screen. When she does, however, Eartha certainly makes the most of it! Not only is the song iconic, but the lines Madame Zeroni delivers are super memorable thanks to Eartha's imitable cadence.

Best line: "If you forget to come back for Madame Zeroni, you and your family will be cursed for always and eternity!"

Check it out here:

youtube.com

9. Jeremy Bulloch and Jason Wingreen as Boba Fett – Star Wars, the original trilogy

20th Century-Fox

Any newcomer to the Star Wars universe would probably think that Boba Fett was always a primary figure, but they'd be mistaken. Across the entire original trilogy, the character only had four lines and six-and-a-half minutes of screen time. Boba became so iconic, and a fan-favourite, that he became one of the most recognisable Star Wars characters, with his own spin-off to boot!

Best line: "He's no good to me dead."

Have a look here:

youtube.com

10. John Turturro as Jesus Quintana – The Big Lebowski

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

The Big Lebowski has become a cult classic, and of all the iconic characters, there are none more memorable than John's character, Jesus Quintana. While having barely any screen time, Jesus managed to steal the show and is one of the first characters that comes to mind when I think of the movie.

Best line: "You said it, man. Nobody fucks with the Jesus!"

Have a look here:

youtube.com

11. Harvey Keitel as Winston 'The Wolf' Wolf – Pulp Fiction

Miramax

Most people from the UK will hate this character by now, due to him appearing in a particular series of adverts on British screens for YEARS. Nonetheless, even Brits will admit that Winston's limited screen time has had no impact on his memorability. The Wolf, the ultimate problem-solver, only appeared in one scene, but became one of the most iconic parts of the film! I guess the same could be said about the gimp, of course...

Best line: "Well, let's not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet."

Have a look:

youtube.com

12. Anthony Powers as Jimmy Two Times – Goodfellas

Warner Bros. Pictures

One line, executed perfectly, is all that's needed to become iconic. Goodfellas is one of the most well-remembered films of all time, but there's one line, and one character, that I find myself quoting all the time. Jimmy is introduced by Henry Hill: "And then there was Jimmy Two Times, who got that nickname because he said everything twice." He then replies with what I now say whenever I'm announcing that I'm getting something –  "I'm gonna go get the papers, get the papers." It's simply iconic, simply iconic.

Best line: I'll repeat it, WHY NOT... "I'm gonna go get the papers, get the papers."

Have a look here:

youtube.com

13. Bill Murray as himself – Zombieland

Sony Pictures Releasing

Zombieland was a fun film with some very decent moments, but the scenes at Bill Murray's house are BY FAR the best. Tbf, even if his only line in the film was the bit about Garfield, he'd still be the most iconic character from the film, despite barely being in it.

Best line: (in response to "do you have any regrets?") "Garfield, maybe."

Have a look here:

youtube.com

14. Stephen Tobolowsky as Ned Ryerson – Groundhog Day

Columbia Pictures

Okay, maybe Ned isn't the most iconic part of Groundhog Day, but hey, this is my list, and I love Ned! For someone with barely any screen time, who basically does the same thing over and over again, Ned is one of the best characters in the film.

Best line: "got the shingles real bad senior year, almost didn't graduate? Bing, again."

Check out the best of Ned here:

youtube.com

15. Chris Wedge as Scrat – Ice Age

20th Century Fox

If you were to remove Scrat from the Ice Age universe, honestly, not much would change for the plot. IDK if it was the marketing that went big on Scrat, the fact that he pretty much opened up all the movies, or his fantastic sub plot-lines, but Scrat is one of THE main players when it comes to Ice Age, and I wouldn't have it any other way. He even got his very own short, No Time for Nuts.

Best line: he doesn't talk, but you can just imagine his frantic snuffling, right?

Check him out here:

youtube.com

When else has a minor character become majorly iconic? Let us know in the comments below!