15 ’70s Cartoon Sidekicks That Stole the Show
These sidekicks did more than fill time between plots — they stole the spotlight with heart, humor, and unforgettable quirks.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Cartoon sidekicks in the 1970s weren’t just support characters; they were the soul of their shows. Whether through humor, charm, or surprising wisdom, these characters carved out fanbases that often eclipsed the leads. Their influence still echoes in today’s animation, where sidekicks are often scene-stealers by design.
1. Snarf (ThunderCats - late ’70s pilot designs, debuted fully in 1985)
Image from Wikipedia
Though Snarf officially hit TV screens in the ’80s, his quirky design was conceived in late ’70s development drafts. He was originally meant to be comic relief, but kids latched on to his whiny loyalty and weird catchphrases. Snarf wasn’t just a pet; he was the glue that held the team’s heart together.
2. Dynomutt (Dynomutt, Dog Wonder, 1976)
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Paired with the Batman-like Blue Falcon, Dynomutt was part dog, part gadget-laden disaster. His clumsy antics often messed things up, but his charm and eventual triumphs made him a fan favorite. He took what could’ve been a straight superhero show and turned it into lovable chaos.
3. Orko (He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, development started in late ’70s)
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Although the show aired in 1983, Orko’s conceptual origin came from Mattel’s 1979 toyline plans. His floating hat, muffled voice, and spell failures made him the magical comic relief every kid remembered. Without Orko, Eternia felt too serious.
4. Hong Kong Phooey’s Spot (Hong Kong Phooey, 1974)
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Spot was the real brains behind the operation, even if the kung-fu dog Phooey got all the credit. While his partner fumbled through cases, Spot solved them behind the scenes with a shrug and a sigh. Kids noticed, and Spot quietly became the underrated MVP of the show.
5. Shaggy Rogers (Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, 1969–70 but shaped ’70s reruns)
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Though not the main dog, Shaggy practically stole Scooby’s thunder with his bottomless stomach and groovy panic. His jittery friendship with Scooby defined the vibe of the entire series. Shaggy wasn’t just a sidekick; he was half the heartbeat of the mystery machine.
6. Gleek (Super Friends, 1977)
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Gleek was the purple alien monkey who hung out with the Wonder Twins, and he was more than a mascot. His stretchy tail and unpredictable humor lightened up otherwise stiff superhero segments. Gleek made saving the world feel a little less serious.
7. Tinker (Speed Buggy, 1973)
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Voiced by the same actor who did Shaggy, Tinker was the mechanic who kept Speed Buggy running. He had a laid-back surfer attitude and just enough grit to save the day when the car couldn’t. Tinker’s underdog coolness earned him a quiet cult following.
8. Captain Caveman’s Teen Angels (Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels, 1977)
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Brenda, Dee Dee, and Taffy were not just background noise to Caveman’s yelling and club swinging. They solved cases with real brainpower while their prehistoric partner bashed things. Kids rooted for the girls to figure it out while Caveman goofed up.
9. Babu (Jeannie, 1973)
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Voiced by Joe Besser, Babu was the bumbling apprentice genie whose magic always backfired. His high-pitched stammers and heartfelt intentions gave him a charm that often upstaged Jeannie herself. He made mistakes you could laugh at, then forgive.
10. Boo-Boo Bear (The Yogi Bear Show, reruns dominated early ’70s TV)
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Quiet and rational, Boo-Boo was the voice of reason to Yogi’s reckless schemes. His gentle nature and worried eyes gave the show a balance that kids respected more than they realized. While Yogi got the laughs, Boo-Boo earned the nods.
11. Bandit (Jonny Quest, reruns hit hard in the ’70s)
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The bulldog with expressive eyes and heroic instincts, Bandit wasn’t just a pet. He was comic relief, danger detector, and Jonny’s best friend rolled into one. He often rescued the group when adults were too slow to act.
12. Brak (Space Ghost, reruns in the ’70s; gained cult sidekick status later)
Image from Wikipedia
Originally a villain, Brak’s raspy voice and weird delivery made him a strange scene-stealer. In reruns and toy lines, kids oddly adored him for his confusion and over-the-top lines. He later became a sidekick in spin-offs, thanks to that unexpected fan love.
13. Blinky (The New Adventures of Flash Gordon, 1979)
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Blinky was the short, stuttering robot who followed Flash around like a metallic puppy. His quirky speech and wide eyes gave him an endearing presence in a world full of muscle and lasers. Kids related more to Blinky than the stoic Flash.
14. Blue Falcon (Dynomutt, 1976)
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Yes, Dynomutt was the sidekick, but Blue Falcon often felt like the backup. His deadpan reactions to Dynomutt’s disasters gave the duo a unique comic rhythm. He played the “straight man” so perfectly that he often became the funniest part of the scene.
15. Fred the Cockatoo (Baretta, crossed over in animated segments)
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Though mostly live-action, Fred made animated appearances and quickly became a ‘70s icon. He wasn’t just comic relief; he was Baretta’s conscience in feathers. When the human failed, Fred squawked the truth kids loved to hear.