Actionheroes come in all shapes and sizes, primed and ready to save the day. The big screen has been a natural home for big stars andeven bigger explosions, but there have also been many quality action TV shows that spawned some very exciting protagonists. There are tortured antiheroes as well as brave individuals with a heart of gold, who have saved individuals in distress as well as the entire world in general by foiling various dastardly plots.
With a large selection of action shows across multiple decades and various countries, there are heroes for just about every taste. They may be the protectors of their neighborhood, or they might besuper spies who travel the world; they might have super strength or rely solely on gadgets and their own wits. But, either way, when an evil mastermind or violent thug tries to do harm,these heroes will always be there to save the day.
10MacGyver
From MacGyver (1985-1992)
There is a whole generation who will have heard of McGruber, but have not actually ever met the hero that the SNL sketch and subsequent movie and TV show were inspired by. Richard Dean Anderson starred asthe original ex-special forces agent who had a “life hack” solution for basically any situation.
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He was saving the day for 139 episodes with various more TV movies that followed, as well as a 2016 reboot series. What made this hero special was not only his bravery but his very strong moral compass and ability to fashion many helpful devices out of a few unsuspecting objects he would find in his vicinity.
He did not opt to go in all guns blazing, but rather used his innate wit and intelligence to diffuse tense situations, as well as ticking bombs. The show was hugely successful andhis “MacGyverisms” crept their way into pop culture for years to come. He was proof that sometimes brains can be more effective than brawn.
9Jack Reacher
From Reacher (2022-Present)
A relatively new arrival on the action circuit, Alan Ritchson, has createda very interesting mesh of strength and calmnessthat helps him navigate many dangerous situations. He is a calculated strategist as well as physically very capable. He can be very brutal, but is always direct and measured.The book series has seen a few previous adaptationsthat did not necessarily capture the essence of the character, but the Prime series has finally found the balance that this hero needs.
Reacher
Cast
Reacher follows Jack Reacher, a former military police investigator, as he navigates civilian life. Without a phone and carrying minimal belongings, Reacher drifts across the country, experiencing the nation he once served, and encounters intriguing challenges along the way.
Jack Reacher has his own strong ethical beliefs, but is not afraid to retaliate against the various villains he encounters. As one of the biggest hits for the streamer,Reacheris filled with everything that action fans enjoy. Explosive moments, tense scenes, and a hero that stands up for what is right. With more seasons on the way and even potential spin-offs, it looks like this hero won’t be forgotten any time soon.
8Simon Templar
From The Saint (1962-1967)
While James Bond was reigning supreme on the big screen, a future 007, Roger Moore, brought his brand of suave sophistication to TV sets across the world. Though this particular is yet to be successfully rebooted, there was so much espionage excitement to be had during its original run in the 1960s.
It presented a character that is cool under pressure, offers up some witty remarks, and uses his cunning to solve problems.
Simon Templar is a master of disguise with a bit of a Robin Hood syndrome. He takes on corrupt powers that be and helps those that are taken advantage of. He was not always the beacon of morality, often flagrantly bending or even breaking the law. The show laid a lot of the groundwork for shows that would follow.
The Saint
The Saint follows Simon Templar, a suave and sophisticated modern-day Robin Hood, as he recovers illicitly obtained wealth and reallocates it to those in need. Released in 1962, the film stars Simon Templar in his morally complex and thrilling adventures.
It presenteda character that is cool under pressure, offers up some witty remarks, and uses his cunning to solve problems. It was a hit around the world, often syndicated and translated for various audiences.Though a film with Val Kilmerattempted to reinvigorate the franchise, it seems to be Moore who still reigns supreme as the titularSaint.
7Xena
From Xena: Warrior Princess(1995–2001)
Lucy Lawless helped break boundaries with her portrayal of this iconic fighting royal. She was one of the few female action stars on TV that were the sole leads of the show, and managed to hold their own against any antagonist. She is not only physically powerful, masterful with various kinds of weaponry, and good at hand-to-hand combat, butshe is a born leader and masterful strategist. And her iconic weapon of choice is unlikely to be forgotten either. The chakram looked extremely impressive on-screen, and provided that satisfying slicing sound.
Xena: Warrior Princess
Staring Lucy Lawless and Renne O’Connor, Xena: Warrior Princess follows the titular heroine, a formidable female warrior from Ancient Greece who uses her powers to help protect and defend the innocent. Xena is accompanied by her sidekick, Gabrielle, on all of her missions. The series ran from 1995 to 2001, and maintains cult classic status and a devoted fanbase to this day.
Originally a spin-off fromHercules, Xena started out as a villainous warlord, but quickly won viewers over.In her own series, she got her own emotional backstory and grew as a characterover the six exciting seasons. Though she was able to show her vulnerable side with Gabrielle, she was tough as nails and always fierce. Xena paved the way for future characters that were as complex and powerful as her, and for that, leaves a lasting legacy as an action hero.
6B.A. Baracus
From The A-Team (1983-1987)
While very much part of a team, Mr. T’s portrayal of this straight-talking action hero was arguably one of the most globally recognizable and memorable.His impressive strength and muscle mass made him the enforcer of the groupwho would regularly dispose of villains, but he was also the mechanic who was able to ensure a safe getaway and build whatever contraption needed to get the job done.
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His softer side came through when it mattered the most, making him a hero that balanced brains, brawn, and heart. In short,he was indispensable. With his iconic chains, mohawk, and quotes that are still repeated to this day, this action hero will be remembered for years to come.
The A-Team
The A-Team is an action-packed television series that aired in 1983 which follows a fictitious group of ex-United States Army Special Forces who work as mercenaries. The team uses their military skills to fight injustice while running from the military for a crime they didn’t commit.
The chemistry between the original cast was so palpable that the 2010 reboot failed to capture the magic, and it showed just how much charisma Mr. T brought to the role. As B.A. Baracus himself said, “I pity the fool,” who does not appreciate just how much of an iconic character he was, and there would be noA-Teamwithout him.
5Matt Murdock
From Daredevil & Daredevil: Born Again (2015-Present)
When this Marvel show originally dropped on Netflix, it opened up a whole new side of the MCU. While the movies were so polished and slick, and kept the violence more implied rather than graphically shown,Daredevildid not shy away from gore and blood. The show was darker in tone and in set design, with much more profanity and fight scenes that felt gritty and real. This new phase also saw other flawed heroes join the Defenders of New York, including Jessica Jones and Luke Cage.
Daredevil: Born Again
Daredevil: Born Again follows blind lawyer Matt Murdock, who uses his heightened abilities to pursue justice in New York. As he manages a bustling law firm, former mob boss Wilson Fisk navigates political ambitions, leading both men toward a confrontation as their pasts resurface.
After the show’s initial cancelation, it was thought that Charlie Cox would not be seen as the vigilante ever again, buta cameo inSpider-Man: No Way Homeheralded a resurrection for the character. Fan dedication to the fighter from Hell’s Kitchen runs deep, and has only grown over the years. While it remains to be seen how the character will develop withinDaredevil: Born Again,he has already managed to inscribe his name in the action history books.
4Sydney Bristow
From Alias (2001-2006)
Taking high-stakes espionage into the 21st century,Sydney Bristow was a powerful and capable action herowhose role as a double agent added additional levels of stress to each mission. Jennifer Garner managed to portray this character with steely determination as well as emotional depth. She was very human, and faced as many deeply personal issues as she did professional ones, making her compelling on many levels.
Alias
Created by J. J. Abrams, Alias is a Science Fiction, Thriller, and Action television series that ran for five seasons between 2001 and 2006. Starring Jennifer Garner in the lead role, the plot revolves around a young woman who must disguise her identity as a CIA agent.
Aliaswas highly stylized, with many exciting disguises and secret missions that took various twists and turns. Seeing Garner wielding huge weaponry in heels and a cocktail dress, or taking out a roomful of thugs with her bare hands, wasboth empowering and highly entertaining to watch. Various awards and stable ratings helped showcase the show’s quality and popularity, and the influence this character has had on future spies in TV and film can be felt to this day.
3Steve Austin
From The Six Million Dollar Man(1973–1978)
Lee Majors brought this iconic bionic man to life inan action show that defined the 1970s. Before there was Bucky Barnes, it was Steve Austin who brandished a super-strong arm that gave him the ability to rip doors off their hinges and see off all kinds of attackers. He also boasted upgraded legs, which allowed him to run at extra speed, and an eye that could zoom in and had infrared capabilities.
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The action was built into him, but his background as an astronaut laid the foundation for a heroic and brave character. His scientific prowess and enhanced physical capabilities created a hero with a sense of purpose.He was sent to save hostages, stop terrorist organizations, and prevent global catastrophes.
The Six Million Dollar Man
The Six Million Dollar Man is a Science Fiction television series starring Lee Majors as USAF Colonel Steve Austin. After Austin is involved in an accident, he is “rebuilt” with bionic implants that give him an array of superhuman abilities.
He always had a sense of duty, which was inspiring and commendable. The show started a whole universe of bionic characters, with spinoffs and TV movies aplenty. It was a generational phenomenon, with highly coveted merchandise and an influence on the sci-fi action genre that can be felt to this day.
2Jack Bauer
From 24 (2001-2010)
When24first came out, its clever premise and unrelenting, fast-paced action kept audiences gripped.The first season was a smash hit around the world, drawing in millions of viewers each week as they tuned in to find out what happens within each thrilling hour. Kiefer Sutherland’s foray into television saw him prevent assassinations, disarm nuclear devices, and survive torture, beatings and betrayal. The fact that it all seemingly happened in real time, added to the trill.
24
24 follows CTU (Counter-Terrorism Unit) agent Jack Bauer as he contends with various threats to national and international security by any means necessary. With each season comprised of 24 episodes telling Bauer’s story in real-time, 24 brings the action to life one day at a time. Racing against the clock, Bauer is forced to make impossible decisions in the name of public service, bending his personal morals to get the job done.
Jack Bauer was skilled at so many things, which enabledhim to survive multiple terrible daysover the course of nearly 200 episodes. In a post-9-11 world, the character was able to show the type of hero that might not be clean but would always try to do the right thing. He lost a lot over the course of his multiple journeys, but as an unrelenting hero, he made sure each sacrifice was worth it. The show redefined the way action and drama would merge, and Jack Bauer navigated the high-stakes action with intelligence and strength.
1Buffy Summers
From Buffy the Vampire Slayer(1997-2003)
In every generation, there is a chosen one, andSarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summersstill manages to affect viewers old and new. She brought her to life with so much sass, strength, and a sense of youthful naïveté that people tend to have no matter how old they are.
She mixed determination with a sense of fun, and would be as deadly with a one-liner as she would a crossbow.
All of this allowed viewers from various countries, of all ages identify with this character, even though they did not yet know how to identify themselves. She mixed determination with a sense of fun, and would be as deadly with a one-liner as she would a crossbow.Buffy the Vampire Slayerwas a genre-defying cultural phenomenonthat united fans of sci-fi, mysticism, action, and drama.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.
Though its universally beloved seven-season run has created a near-perfect world that audiences have been revisiting for years, the legacy of Buffy has never seemed to end. From graphic novels, podcasts, and an official sequel announcement, the thirst for this show and its iconic character has not seemed to wane.Buffy Summers is sure to stay in people’s heartsfor years to come.
