49 Characters From The '90s And '00s That I Bet You've Already Forgotten About
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🚨 Sure, it's been a decade or two, but keep an eye out for spoilers in case you're currently watching any of these shows for the first time! 🚨
1.Lana Lang from Smallville (2001–2011)
Played by: Kristin Kreuk
Even if you didn't watch Smallville, you've likely heard of Lana Lang — Clark Kent's first love turned Lex Luthor's ex-wife turned vigilante. After her parents died, Lana was raised by her Aunt Nell and lived a mile from the Kent farm. Though Clark and Lana try to make their relationship work several times, his unwillingness to reveal his secret identity to her ultimately keeps them apart as Lana constantly suspects he's hiding something. Lana then marries Lex Luthor (remember that fake pregnancy scheme?) and later fakes her death to get away from him.
In true CW fashion, Lana eventually returns to Smallville and tries to start fresh with Clark but faces brainwashing, catatonia, a Kryptonite bomb, and more. At one point, she even gets superpowers. In the end, she loses her powers but continues doing philanthropic work in Africa.
2.Rufio from Hook (1991)
Played by: Dante Basco
After Peter Pan grows up and forgets who he really is, Rufio (whose real name is Roofus) takes over as leader of the Lost Boys. So, when Peter returns to Neverland as an adult, Rufio despises him, seeing Peter as a threat to his leadership.
Though the Lost Boys originally belittle Peter, Rufio eventually realizes that Peter is the key to defeating Captain Hook and restoring their magical world. To show his newfound trust in him, Rufio gives Peter his sword.
The next day, Peter and the Lost Boys duel against Captain Hook, who fatally stabs Rufio. Before he dies, Rufio confesses to Peter that he wishes he had a dad like him. Rufio's death has a profound impact on Peter's son, Jack, who was temporarily brainwashed by Captain Hook into hating his own father.
3.Lane Kim from Gilmore Girls (2000–2007)
Played by: Keiko Agena
If you were obsessed with Gilmore Girls, then you know Lane as the ultimate music aficionado of Stars Hollow — you know, the one who notoriously lugs around the Mojo Collection in search of the latest records. Unfortunately, because of her strict religious family, Lane lives a sort of double life with the help of her best friend, Rory.
In order to keep her American lifestyle from her parents, Lane constantly makes sure to hide her love for pizza, rock CDs, makeup, and band tees. At one point, Lane dyes her hair purple in an effort to rebel against her mother but quickly dyes it back after panicking.
Eventually, Lane becomes a drummer (in secret from her parents, of course) and joins a band. At her mother's request, she later attends a Seventh-day Adventist college. One night, Lane's mother discovers her hidden belongings and catches her sneaking out to a band gig. She kicks Lane out, and Lane crashes with Rory in her Yale dorm for a bit before deciding to move in with her bandmates and drop out of college.
4.Harry Takayama from Full House (1987–1995)
Played by: Nathan Nishiguchi
If you loved Full House, you've probably seen Harry Takayama, Stephanie's first friend — at least in order of on-screen appearance. Math isn't his thing, and he's ready to drop out of school and become a Boy Scout if he can't figure out subtraction. (Ironically, in Fuller House, it's revealed that Harry became a certified public accountant.)
When Harry and Stephanie hang out, he calls her "Chief," and she refers to him as her "boyfriend" (aka her friend who is a boy). They even have their own fake wedding in the episode, "Middle Age Crazy." But unfortunately for Steph, Harry leaves her once he finds out his mom's making meatloaf for dinner.
5.Jade Chan from Jackie Chan Adventures (2000–2005)
Voiced by: Stacie Chan
Born in Hong Kong, Jade is Jackie Chan's adventure-seeking, tomboyish niece. Because of her mischievous behavior, Jade's parents send her to live with Jackie in San Francisco, believing he'd be a good role model for her.
Jade loves to challenge authority and always looks for ways to do what she wants. She'll do anything to tag along with Jackie on his missions, even if it means putting herself (and Jackie) in danger. Though her impulsive nature often leads her into trouble, Jade's quick mind and flexible thinking often help save the day.
Despite her boldness and occasional ego trips, Jade craves her uncle's approval and deeply values friendship. She's always willing to make sacrifices to help those she loves — whether it's giving up the Talismans to save Jackie's life or paying the ransom for all eight Demon Chi powers to ensure the safety of her friends.
6.Mr. Hyunh from Hey Arnold! (1996–2004)
Voice by: Baoan Coleman
If you watched Hey Arnold!, you probably recognize Mr. Hyunh. He is Arnold's neighbor from the Sunset Arms boarding house and has a penchant for calling people and things "creepy" (or even "very creepy"). He dislikes fellow boarder Oskar Kokoshka for being a troublemaker and often hangs out with Ernie Potts.
Mr. Hyunh works at "El Patio" restaurant and is a gifted musician. He once had a shot at country music stardom — though he turned down the opportunity after his first (and only) concert.
In "Arnold's Christmas," Mr. Hyunh, who's a Vietnamese refugee, tells Arnold about his past. In real life, during Operation Frequent Wind after the fall of the South Vietnamese government, the US evacuated American diplomatic staff and at-risk Vietnamese in 10-minute intervals from designated locations across Saigon — including the rooftop of the US Embassy. Mr. Hyunh reveals he was one of the many Vietnamese atop the US Embassy at the time, along with his baby daughter Mai.
Because there was only one seat left on the last helicopter, Mr. Hyunh heart-wrenchingly gave Mai to the pilot to ensure her safety. As the chopper took off, the pilot shouted the name of a city: Hillwood. Though it took him 20 years, Mr. Hyunh eventually made it to Hillwood — where Hey Arnold! is set — in hopes of finding his daughter. By the end of the episode, Mr. Hyunh and Mai finally reunite in true It's a Wonderful Life fashion.
7.George Huang from Law & Order: SVU (1999–present)
Played by: B. D. Wong
Unless you somehow escaped the Law & Order hype, you've definitely seen Special Agent George Huang, M.D., the resident forensic psychiatrist and criminal profiler for the Manhattan Special Victims Unit. Even though the SVU detectives originally don't get along with George, they soon come to trust him and value his opinions — even if he doesn't always agree with certain diagnoses.
While he's usually pretty soft-spoken, level-headed, and empathetic, George does lose his cool from time to time. When George first became a psychiatrist, he worked as a counselor for sex offenders in a genuine effort to rehabilitate them. However, after realizing many were not willing to truly participate in counseling, he shifted his efforts toward prosecuting them.
Though George is later reassigned to Oklahoma City — or, "heaven" for a gay Chinese American who opposes the death penalty, as he sarcastically describes it — he returns to help the team out with cases every now and then.
8.Geena Fabiano from Unfabulous (2004–2007)
Played by: Malese Jow
Geena is a 13-year-old fashionista — remember that word? — at Rocky Road Middle School and Addie's best friend since kindergarten. Though they get into silly spats over boys and song lyrics, the two always have each other's backs.
Proud of her style, Geena often designs her own clothes. Unfortunately, Principal Brandywine often "dress codes" her for the lengths of her skirts. Beyond her interest in fashion, Geena hangs out at Juice with Addie and their friend Zach. After learning they have feelings for each other, Geena and Zach begin dating.
9.Mohinder Suresh from Heroes (2006–2010)
Played by: Sendhil Ramamurthy
A genetics professor at the University of Madras from India, Mohinder Suresh commits himself to uncovering the truth about his father's sudden death and carries on his legacy of researching "superhuman" beings on Earth.
Despite being an ordinary human, Mohinder injects himself with a flawed formula that causes him to develop some Spider-Man-esque abilities — including heightened senses, increased strength, wall-crawling, and the ability to jump to incredible heights. But because the formula is flawed, he also becomes increasingly aggressive and erratic.
On top of his behavioral changes, Mohinder also starts producing a substance similar to a spider's web and develops scales on his skin. Thankfully, exposure to a perfected formula eventually sets things right for Mohinder. He loses the less-than-desirable side effects and is left with only his super strength, agility, and lightning-fast reflexes.
10.Tito Makani from Rocket Power (1999–2004)
Voiced by: Ray Bumatai
Tito Herbert Makani Jr. (yes, the legendary surfer from Hawaii) is the co-owner of the Shore Shack restaurant in Ocean Shores, California along with Raymond "Ray" Rocket. He's known for whipping up a mean meal on the grill, telling entertaining stories (usually about ancient Hawaiian tales), and hating shoobies.
Tito is like a second father to Ray's kids, Oswald "Otto" Rocket and Regina "Reggie" Rocket, and offers solid advice to their friends, Maurice "Twister" Rodriguez and Samuel "Squid" Dullard. It goes without saying that Tito and Ray are like family. They're always there for each other, even before Ray marries Tito's cousin.
11.Dominique from D.E.B.S. (2004)
Played by: Devon Aoki
After the secret test embedded in the SAT reveals that Dominique — a French foreign exchange student — is qualified to be recruited into the clandestine paramilitary academy, D.E.B.S. (Discipline, Energy, Beauty, Strength), she joins a four-woman squad assigned to surveil a super-criminal.
However, being a spy doesn't keep Dominique from her vices, namely smoking, caffeine, and sex. Beyond her impressive espionage skills, Dominique also has a knack for sneaking boys into her room at the academy — on the second floor, no less.
12.Yori from Kim Possible (2002–2007)
Voiced by: Keiko Agena
Yori is a respected student of the Yamanouchi Ninja School in Japan and a close ally to Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable. She's also a bit of a stickler for honor and respect.
After Master Sensei arranges for Ron to visit the Yamanouchi Ninja School through a student exchange program, Yori and Ron become fast friends. Even though Ron struggles with his ninja training, Yori sees potential in him and guides him along the way. Together, they face off against Monkey Fist and other villains who threaten the school and its magical artifacts.
Yori has a crush on Ron (and eventually confesses), causing things to get a bit complicated when Ron and Kim start dating. However, she's a good sport and continues to fight alongside them when needed.
13.Manny Santos from Degrassi: The Next Generation (2005–2015)
Portrayed by: Cassie Steele
Manuella "Manny" Santos is a graduate of the Degrassi Community School's Class of 2007. Manny is initially shy as she enters high school but soon becomes very concerned with popularity. As a result, she makes some regrettable decisions. She later gets pregnant and has an abortion, causing her reputation at school to suffer.
Although she initially dreams of becoming a fashion designer, Manny's passion eventually shifts to acting. She attends Smithdale University and later stars in a musical film. Aside from her blossoming career, Manny always has a close-knit group of friends — including her lifelong best friend, Emma Nelson. Though she finds herself in a few conflicts over the years, Manny makes peace with everyone and ends up in a relationship with Jay Hogart.
14.Wendy from Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior (2006)
Played by: Brenda Song
Wendy Wu is a popular Chinese American teenage girl whose life takes a crazy turn when a young Buddhist monk named Shen shows up and says she's the reincarnation of a powerful warrior. Apparently, she's the only one who can save the world from an evil spirit, but Wendy has other things on her mind, like beating her school rival Jessica for the title of Homecoming Queen.
However, Wendy's grandmother knows Shen's not lying because Wendy's great-grandmother was the Yin Warrior who defeated the same evil spirit ages ago. Because Wendy's family has forgotten their Chinese heritage, Shen takes it upon himself to bring the culture back into their lives. With his help, Wendy finally becomes the Yin Warrior and takes on Yan-Lo.
When Wendy discovers her battle with Yan-Lo is on the same night as her homecoming — after learning she won Homecoming Queen — she decides to give up her destiny. With some convincing from her grandma and monks, Wendy shows up just in time to save Shen from Yan-Lo. Together, Wendy and Shen defeat Yan-Lo. Afterward, the two go out to get some cappuccinos and chocolate to celebrate.
15.Jack from Samurai Jack (2001–2004)
Voiced by: Phil LaMarr
Once upon a time, a young boy's father was captured by the evil demon lord Aku, who took over the boy's homeland. As a result, the boy was determined to seek revenge and was trained to become the ultimate samurai by teachers from all around the world.
Once grown, the boy reunites with his mother and sets out on a mission to destroy Aku using his father's sword. But before he could do so, Aku banishes him to a distant future where he reigns supreme. But this doesn't deter him. Now, with a new name, Jack, he fights for 50 long years, trying to find a way back to the past to end this.
Dramatic description aside, Jack travels the world and helps people throughout most of the series. Unfortunately, Aku doesn't make things easy for Jack and destroys nearly every method of time travel. This eventually gets to Jack, who goes through a period of depression and madness, trying to come to terms with his inability to return home. And to top it off, Aku's time travel curse has left Jack ageless.
16.Harold Lee and Kumar Patel from Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
Played by: John Cho and Kal Penn, respectively
Harold Lee — an investment banker stuck in a cubicle — is left with all his colleagues' work for the weekend. Outside of his work struggles, Harold can't bring himself to admit that he's into his neighbor, Maria. Meanwhile, Harold's roommate, Kumar Patel, attends a med school interview, only to deliberately botch it and avoid getting in.
After getting high on weed, Harold and Kumar crave some White Castle, but they soon learn that the nearest White Castle has been replaced by Burger Shack. Luckily, there's another White Castle in Cherry Hill, and the two decide to head there. Along the way, they encounter a raccoon, medical emergencies, a tow-truck driver, and even a high Neil Patrick Harris.
Once they finally reach White Castle, the two realize they don't have any money to pay for their meals. Cue the return of Neil Patrick Harris, who apologizes for stealing their car and generously covers them. In the end, Kumar realizes he wants to be a doctor, and Harold finally confesses his feelings to Maria.
17.Yumi Ishiyama from Code Lyoko (2003–2007)
Voiced by: Mirabelle Kirkland
Yumi Ishiyama is one of the five original Lyoko Warriors and a student at Kadic Academy. She's often the mature one in the group — she's also the oldest — and skilled in martial arts. Though she's often tense at home due to her parents' unstable marriage (and constant bickering), she's a good student (if a bit of a wallflower) at school.
She's particularly close friends with Aelita and the crush of both Ulrich and William. As a friend, she's very generous and perceptive of others' emotions. When X.A.N.A. attacks, Yumi is often able to persuade her teachers to let her leave class. In Lyoko, her attire is modeled after Japanese geisha, and she uses Tessen Fans to take down X.A.N.A.'s monsters.
18.Alex Munday from Charlie's Angels (2000)
Portrayed by: Lucy Liu
Alexandra "Alex" Munday is one of Charlie's Angels and one of the Townsend Agency's top agents, alongside Natalie Cook and Dylan Sanders. Thanks to her impressive martial arts skills and electronics and explosives expertise, Alex is an incredibly versatile agent. She's also fluent in several languages including Finnish, German, and Mongolian.
Growing up in a wealthy family, Alex was raised by her parents, Harvard professors of philosophy and economics. As a child prodigy, she excelled in sports like gymnastics, chess, fencing, archery, and equestrianism. She spent her teenage years traveling the world, learning everything from levitation with a Tibetan guru to safe-cracking with a Parisian double agent.
After becoming an agent, Alex has honed her skills in espionage, motocross, archery, rodeo, hacking, physical therapy, and even neurosurgery. Like Natalie and Dylan, Alex never uses guns during her missions to take down enemies.
19.Dana Tan from Batman: Beyond (1999–2001)
Voiced by: Lauren Tom
Dana Tan meets Terry McGinnis while they're students at Hamilton High School. The two begin dating, though Dana's dad isn't fond of Terry thanks to his checkered past.
When Terry secretly becomes Batman, his frequent absences and last-minute cancellations strain their relationship. However, he attributes these to his new "job" for the elderly Bruce Wayne and his new family responsibilities due to the sudden death of his father. While Dana gets annoyed by his flakiness, she assumes Terry sees Bruce as a father figure since his own father died and feels sympathy toward him.
Dana and Terry continued to date for another 15 years after high school. She eventually learns of his secret identity and refuses to leave him. Later, when Terry discovers his true lineage, he feels cursed and thinks of breaking up with Dana. However, Amanda Waller advises him to take care of the people who love him, and Terry resolves to propose to Dana instead.
20.Theo Mizuhara from Moesha (1996–2001)
Portrayed by: Theo Mizuhara (himself)
Even though he was only in one episode — in the first season, nonetheless — of Moesha, DJ Theo made a lasting impression. The episode begins when Moesha refuses to buy into the superstition around chain mail (which, back then, was a physical letter rather than a text), and burns the letter instead.
Everything then seems to start going wrong, and tensions rise. Later, Moesha and her friends go to The Den to watch Theo DJ. Unfortunately, Theo has trouble setting up. While they wait, Moesha approaches Theo to ask about winning the raffle he's hosting; he tells her she's already winning by staying in school. After the power goes out, Theo ends up leaving while Andell, the owner of The Den, calls a curandero to cleanse The Den of any negative energy or spirits.
21.Kimiko "Kimi" Watanabe-Finster from Rugrats (1991–2006) and All Grown Up! (2003–2008)
Voiced by: Dionne Quan
The last addition to the Rugrats gang, Kimi Finster is Chuckie's spunky stepsister. We — along with the Rugrats — meet Kimi during Rugrats in Paris: The Movie (2000) as Kimi's mom, Kira, used to work at the Euro-Reptarland theme park. After Kira marries Chuckie's dad, Chas, Kimi moves to the US and lives with Chuckie.
While Chuckie is a bit of a scaredy cat, Kimi is a fearless kid who often drags her stepbrother into precarious situations. On the other hand, Chuckie often finds himself looking out for Kimi.
In All Grown Up!, Kimi is a cool and independent preteen. She loves funky music, dresses in unique styles, and has a crush on her green-haired classmate, Z. In "Bad Kimi," she even sports a pink fauxhawk. After school, she and Chuckie work at their family's coffee shop, The Java Lava.
22.Trini Kwan from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993–1995)
Played by: Thuy Trang
After an evil alien sorceress is released from 10,000 years of confinement, Zordon recruits five teenagers from Angel Grove, California, to become Power Rangers — one of them being 16-year-old, Taiwanese and Korean American Trini Kwan.
Trini is chosen to be the Yellow Ranger for her compassion, intelligence, and martial arts skills. Subsequently, she's pretty much the only one who understands Billy's (the Blue Ranger) technical jargon. She's also an environmentalist who advocates preserving historical pieces, like the forest spirit statue.
During Season 2, Thuy Trang, Austin St. John (Jason, the Red Ranger), and Walter Jones (Zack, the Black Ranger) left the show over contract disputes. So, after Trini, Jason, and Zack are selected to attend a World Peace Conference in Switzerland as teen delegates, Trini makes the decision to transfer her power as the Yellow Ranger to Aisha Campbell.
23.Sun-hwa and Jin-soo Kwon from Lost (2004–2010)
Played by: Yun-jin Kim and Daniel Dae Kim
Sun-hwa "Sun" Kwon and Jin-soo "Jin" Kwon are two of the survivors of the disastrous Oceanic Flight 815. Before the crash, their marriage was on the rocks. The couple struggled to conceive a child, and Sun was having an affair (unbeknownst to Jin). She originally planned to leave Jin at the airport but changed her mind at the last minute and boarded the doomed flight with him.
Upon landing on the Island, Sun and Jin isolate themselves from the other survivors. After some time, Sun reveals she can speak English to Jin's shock and anger. They manage to reconcile, and later, Sun becomes pregnant.
When Sun and Jin attempt to escape the Island, only Sun survives. She re-enters civilization alone and becomes more confident, soon giving birth to their daughter. Years later, while seeking revenge for Jin's death, Sun finds out he's still alive and goes back for him.
Shortly after their reunion, Sun and Jin are captured along with some others. Sun tells Jin about their daughter, and the two try to escape on a submarine. However, a bomb goes off on the submarine, causing Sun to get trapped by a metal pole. As the submarine fills with water, Sun urges Jin to save himself, but he refuses. In the end, the two embrace each other as they drown.
24.Julie from Friends (1994–2004)
Played by: Lauren Tom
Okay, to be fair, Ross has not only numerous ex-wives but also girlfriends throughout the 10 seasons of Friends. Nevertheless, you might remember Julie as Ross's girlfriend in Season 2. It's safe to say that Rachel isn't Julie's biggest fan. Despite having an idea that Rachel dislikes her, Julie still falls victim to Rachel's attempts to sabotage her and Ross's relationship.
Ross and Julie's relationship eventually ends when Rachel admits her feelings to Ross over the phone, leading to a harsh breakup with lots of tears and thrown objects. But don't worry, Julie moves on to meet Russ (who is eerily similar to Ross in more than just name), and she quickly falls in love with him.
25.Connie Souphanousinphone from King of the Hill (1997–2010)
Voiced by: Lauren Tom
Connie Souphanousinphone is the Laotian American neighbor and, at one time, girlfriend of Bobby Hill. Her parents, Kahn and Minh, wanted a son at first, causing Kahn to sometimes call Connie, "Kahn, Jr."
Like every character in King of the Hill, Connie's character highlights and satirizes typical stereotypes. She's a smart and ambitious student who's aiming to get into a top college. Though she's a gifted violinist and classically trained musician, Connie loves to play bluegrass music — playing her violin like a fiddle — much to the chagrin of her father.
She's best friends with Bobby and their other neighbor, Joseph Gribble, and isn't afraid to snap at them when they push her buttons. She also has an edgy, criminally-inclined cousin in California, Tid Pao (voiced by Lucy Liu), whom she strongly dislikes.
26.Vivian from Out of the Box (1998–2004)
Played by: Vivian Bayubay McLaughlin (herself)
Along with Tony, Vivian looks after a group of neighborhood children in "The Box" — a clubhouse made entirely out of cardboard boxes. (Do not lie to me, I know I'm not the only one who tried to build my own "Box.") Together, they do crafts, sing-alongs, story time, and more. When the day's over, either Vivian or Tony walks the kids home while the other gives a recap of the day.
Of course, an episode isn't over without the Goodbye Song. Sometimes, Vivian taps a pumpkin while they sing a cappella, and other times, Tony plays the guitar.
27.Cassandra Wong from Wayne's World (1992)
Played by: Tia Carrere
Wayne's World popularized a lot of iconic things in the '90s — including, "We're not worthy," "That's what she said," and "...not." The movie also introduced cool girl Cassandra Wong, the singer and bass guitarist of Crucial Taunt.
Wayne meets Cassandra at a nightclub, Gasworks, and falls for her after seeing her band perform. He impresses her with some Cantonese — her native language — and the two become a couple. However, Wayne later becomes jealous of the attention TV producer Benjamin Kane gives Cassandra and tries to stop her from participating in a Crucial Taunt music video, causing her to break up with him.
In the Sad Ending, Cassandra ends up with Benjamin. But in the Scooby-Doo and Happy Endings, she reconciles with Wayne.
28.Sayid Hassan Jarrah from Lost (2004–2010)
Portrayed by: Naveen Andrews
Known as a man of strength, courage, and spirituality, Sayid is one of the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815. Before he was stranded on the island, Sayid was a former torturer for the Iraqi Republican Guard and spent much of his adult life trying to atone for his past and searching for his lost love, Nadia.
On the Island, Sayid proves to be an invaluable asset to his group's survival. He even develops a relationship with a fellow survivor, Shannon, before tragically losing her. Luckily, Sayid eventually escapes the Island and reunites with Nadia. But when she's killed, he becomes a hitman to avenge her death.
Later, Sayid finds himself back on the Island and is captured by the DHARMA Initiative. He falls under the control of the Man in Black until he speaks with Desmond and breaks free. Regaining his sense of self, Sayid manages to escape once more but ultimately sacrifices himself to save the others aboard Widmore's submarine.
29.Ling Woo from Ally McBeal (1997–2002)
Played by: Lucy Liu
Ling Woo is a Chinese American lawyer and a graduate of Cornell Law School. She first appears in Season 2 of Ally McBeal as a client who's suing a talk show host — think Howard Stern vibes — for contributing to sexual harassment in her workplace. Because her no-nonsense attitude was a hit with fans, Ling was made a series regular.
She becomes a lawyer with the firm after pressuring senior counsel Richard Fish to hire her. Eventually, Ling receives an offer from the governor of Massachusetts to become a judge after she compliments the governor's twin babies.
30.Margaret Kim from All-American Girl (1994–1995)
Played by: Margaret Cho
Even if you didn't watch All-American Girl, you have to know about Margaret Kim. As a Korean American, Margaret frequently finds herself in misunderstandings with her traditional Korean family — including her passive father, strict mother, successful older brother, younger brother, and eccentric grandma. She often bounces between college majors and works at the cosmetics counter of a department store with her friends.
In the pilot episode, Margaret's mother disapproves of her white boyfriend, Kyle. Margaret decides to invite Kyle over for dinner to prove a point and — after her mother makes no effort to accept Kyle — drops the bomb that she and Kyle are moving in together. In the end, Margaret realizes she's not ready to leave her family and decides to stay put.
By the end of the series, Margaret moves into a low-rent apartment and anxiously awaits to hear back from a job interview at a record label.
31.Kuki Sanban (aka Numbuh 3) from Codename: Kids Next Door (2002–2008)
Voiced by: Lauren Tom
Unless you were decommissioned, you should remember Kuki Sanban, better known as Numbuh 3. She's a spunky, 10-year-old Japanese American girl and also the Diversionary Tactics Specialist of Sector V. Oh, and she's in charge of taking care of the hamsters that power the treehouse.
The youngest operative, Kuki is charming, sweet, and optimistic. Of course, if she doesn't get her way, she's not above throwing a tantrum. She's got a secret crush on Numbuh 4, and she's obsessed with Rainbow Monkeys. Not only does she collect and know everything about them, but she also turns into a demon-like oni when her Rainbow Monkeys are threatened.
When she grows up, Kuki becomes President of the Rainbow Monkey Corporation and does a total overhaul of the Rainbow Monkey Potty Training amusement park.
32.Mark Chao from Charmed (1998–2006)
Played by: John Cho
Mark Chao had big dreams of becoming a molecular biologist, but his life was tragically cut short by a gangster named Tony Wong, who used Mark to fake his own death.
As a young Chinese American, Mark was familiar with the myths of the gatekeeper of hell, Yama, but he never believed in them. However, after his death, Mark's spirit emerges, causing him to go in search of someone who can see him. Eventually, he finds Piper and Phoebe Halliwell, two of the Charmed Ones, who help him identify his body and protect him from Yama.
While staying with the Charmed Ones, Mark shares family recipes with Piper. They develop feelings for one another, but as they face off against Tony and Yama, they realize a romantic relationship is not possible. In a bittersweet ending, Mark departs for the afterlife and asks Prue to always celebrate her birthday.
33.Grace Chen (aka Chen Pei Pei) from Martial Law (1998–2000)
Played by: Kelly Hu
After joining the Los Angeles Police Department alongside her mentor and former Shanghai police captain Sammo Law, Grace Chen fights crime as a detective. She's known for her sharp wit and martial arts prowess (seriously, she fights, like, two or three people at a time).
Grace's father, a high-ranking Chinese diplomat, named her after actor Grace Kelly of whom he was a big fan. However, she tends to avoid calls from her family since they often nag her. When it comes to work, Grace is all business and turns to Sammo when she needs advice.
34.Trixie Tang from The Fairly Odd Parents (2001–2017)
Voiced by: Dionne Quan
The most popular girl at Dimmsdale Elementary School, Trixie Tang has money, beauty, and a clique of popular friends. Her best friend and sidekick is Veronica.
Though Trixie often turns down Timmy Turner's (many) advances, there have been times when she's been genuinely impressed by him. While she's usually shallow, Trixie has proven herself to have a soft spot for honesty and courage. But when push comes to shove, she'll still put her popularity above all else.
35.Hiro Nakamura from Heroes (2006–2010)
Played by: Masi Oka
Bored and unfulfilled in his day job, Hiro Nakamura turns to sci-fi and fantasy as an escape, dreaming of having real powers like the heroes he reads about. But when his wish comes true, and he gains the power of space-time manipulation, Hiro quickly learns being a hero isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Like anyone, Hiro has his flaws. He can be a bit clumsy and reckless, especially when using his powers. Thankfully, he has a strong moral compass and eventually becomes a more serious person in the face of challenges.
When Hiro finds out he has a terminal illness, he feels compelled to use his time travel powers to make life better for those around him and fix all the wrongs in his life. Despite his good intentions, Hiro ultimately learns to leave things alone and is eventually cured.
36.Amy Wong-Kroker from Futurama (1999–2003; 2008–2013)
Voiced by: Lauren Tom
Amy Kroker (née Wong), PhD, is the clumsy, party-loving member of the Planet Express delivery service and wife of Lieutenant Kif Kroker. Before she earned her doctorate, Amy was a star student at Mars University, where she studied engineering.
Her parents — Leo and Inez Wong, wealthy livestock owners who hope she'll marry and give them grandkids — own Mars's entire western hemisphere. Even though she once looked down on the poor, Amy has a friendly and empathetic nature with a sense of justice, as well as a rebellious streak against her parents' immoral schemes (including destroying 12% of the Milky Way to build a giant mini-golf course).
Though she can be naïve and guilt-ridden at times, Amy is always up for an adventure. At one point, Kif leaves Amy for flirting with bad boys but eventually takes her back — revving up his motorcycle while wearing his leather jacket — and they ride off into the sunset together.
37.Chao-Ahn from Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
Played by: Kristy Wu
Chao-Ahn is a fierce Potential Slayer who found refuge in Sunnydale from the First Evil's attempt to destroy the Slayer line. Found by Rupert Giles in Shanghai, Chao-Ahn struggles to connect with the Scooby Gang since she only speaks Cantonese.
Though Giles tries to communicate with her using extremely simple drawings, they only leave Chao-Ahn confused. (It doesn't help that Giles gives her milk without knowing she's lactose intolerant.) Nevertheless, she trains alongside the other Potentials and goes on missions to fight the Turok-Han army at the Hellmouth.
When the Slayer activation spell is cast, Chao-Ahn is one of the thousand girls activated and manages to escape the destruction of Sunnydale.
38.Jubilee from X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997)
Voiced by: Alyson Court
Not only is Jubilation "Jubilee" Lee a Chinese American mutant who can create fireworks with her hand, but she's also the focus of the two-part pilot of the show. While struggling to control her powers, Jubilee accidentally damages her home, and her foster dad — in a misguided attempt to protect her — registers her with the Mutant Control Agency (MCA). Overwhelmed and upset, Jubilee sneaks out to the mall. Unbeknownst to her, the MCA sends a robot sentinel after her.
Fortunately, some X-Men happen to be at the mall and help Jubilee fend off the sentinel, though she's knocked out in the fight. Upon waking up in the Xavier Mansion, Jubilee learns the truth about mutants, the X-Men's mission to protect mutant rights and equality, and the MCA. She then rushes home to check on her foster parents but instead finds two more sentinels.
The sentinels bring Jubilee to MCA headquarters, where she's interrogated about the X-Men. Soon, the X-Men rescue Jubilee, and she joins them to hone her powers — though she promises to visit her foster family.
39.Gi from Captain Planet and the Planeteers (1990–1996)
Voiced by: Janice Kawaye
Gi is the second Planeteer summoned by Gaia and the bearer of the Water Ring. Fun fact: Gi received her Planeteer ring from her dolphin friend, Kisa, who tossed her the ring after finding it in the sea.
She's quick-witted, funny, and always has something to say. As a true ocean lover, Gi's passionate about any mission related to water.
40.Wanda Li from The Magic School Bus (1994–1997)
Voiced by: Lisa Yamanaka
Wanda Li is a spunky and fearless Chinese American student and arguably the most adventurous member of Ms. Frizzle's class. As a character, she serves as a foil to her classmate, Arnold Perlstein.
Wanda dreams of being a pilot, loves animals, and is a true team player — even helping to organize a car wash in an effort to meet her favorite rock singer. On the other hand, she hates cold weather. Whether it's rescuing an animal in need or solving problems, Wanda is determined to make the world a better place.
41.Whitney from Bring It On (2000)
Played by: Nicole Bilderback
While we don't see much of Whitney in Bring It On, she's clearly a dedicated and talented Toros cheerleader at Rancho Carne High School. She's part of the panel of judges during cheer tryouts after fellow cheerleader, Carver, breaks her leg. She ultimately agrees with Torrance to let Missy Pantone — a new student who transferred from Los Angeles — join the team despite her gymnast (as in non-cheer) background.
When Torrance's boyfriend Aaron tells her she's not leadership material and tries to get her to step down as captain, he attempts to sell Torrance out to Whitney and Courtney. In the end, Whitney competes with her squad at Nationals. Because they changed their routine so as to not rip off the Clovers, the Clovers win first, and the Toros place second.
42.Wai Lin from Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
Played by: Michelle Yeoh
Wai Lin is a spy in the Chinese Ministry of State Security and has incredible martial arts skills. While on a mission to investigate the disappearance of stealth material from a People's Liberation Army base, she meets James Bond, who's been sent by MI-6 to work on the same case.
At first, the two think they've been ordered to kill each other, but after they're both captured by Elliot Carver, they begin to trust each other. Wai Lin later earns James's respect after she shuts down his attempt to seduce her.
Together, Wai Lin and James sneak around Carver's private ship to destroy it and disable a missile heading for China. And in true 007 fashion, the two finally give in to their mutual attraction in the end.
43.Angela Montenegro from Bones (2005–2017)
Played by: Michaela Conlin
Angela Montenegro is a specialist in forensic facial reconstruction at the Jeffersonian Institution. She works closely with her best friend, Dr. Temperance Brennan, and the rest of her crew to solve murder cases. She's got a minor in computer science from American University, but her true passion is art — which she studied at the University of Texas at Austin.
Angela is of mixed Chinese heritage, bisexual, and the daughter of ZZ Top's very own Billy Gibbons (who gave her the middle name "Pearly Gates" in a nod to his guitar). In one alcohol-fueled moment, she even got married in Fiji.
44.Jake Long from American Dragon: Jake Long (2005–2007)
Voiced by: Dante Basco
Jake Long is New York City's magical protector, but he's not your average hero. He's actually a young part-human, part-dragon hybrid. He attends high school with his two best friends, Trixie and Spud. After his magical abilities emerged on his 13th birthday, Jake began training under his dragon master and grandfather, Lao Shi, with the help of Fu Dog.
While Jake likes to portray a cool exterior, being the American Dragon comes with a hefty responsibility — one that's negatively impacting his grades and skateboarding sessions.
45.Gita from The Cheetah Girls: One World (2008)
Played by: Deepti Daryanani
When the Cheetah Girls (sans Galleria, portrayed by Raven-Symoné) are cast in a Bollywood movie, they travel to India. Once they arrive, the Cheetah Girls meet Gita, the movie's choreographer, and they all immediately engage in a dance battle. Later, the Cheetah Girls begin auditioning against each other after they learn that Vikram, the movie's director, is only casting one girl — not a group.
Chanel ultimately wins the role, but the three girls realize their friendship is more important than their careers. In the end, they convince Khamal, the film's producer and Vikram's uncle, to cast Gita as the lead instead.
46.Lawrence Dooley from The School of Rock (2003)
Played by: Robert Tsai
Lawrence Dooley is a polite, mild-mannered student at Horace Green Prep School and a talented piano player. When his substitute teacher Mr. S (or rather, Dewey Finn pretending to be his roommate, Ned Schneebly) turns the class into a band, Lawrence is afraid he's not cool enough to be part of it. However, Mr. S reassures Lawrence and encourages him to be their keyboardist, telling him that joining a rock band will make him very popular.
When the class's parents discover Mr. S is actually Dewey, Lawrence and his classmates sneak out of school to compete in Battle of the Bands — just as Dewey had intended. They perform as the School of Rock and win over the crowd, including their parents. While the School of Rock doesn't win the competition, the crowd demands an encore.
Later, Dewey opens the School of Rock, an after-school program, and Lawrence and his classmates continue to play music together.
47.Juniper "June" Kim Lee from The Life and Times of Juniper Lee (2005–2007)
Voiced by: Lara Jill Miller
Juniper Lee is a sassy 11-year-old, Chinese American girl from Orchid Bay City who's been magically enhanced to become the new Te Xuan Ze — the protector of the human and otherworldly realms. Thanks to an invisible mystical shield that separates magic from human eyes, only people like Juniper can see these otherworldly beings. She's got loads of superhuman powers, too, including enhanced strength, speed, reflexes, and agility.
Juniper wants to attend astronaut camp one day, but that dream's on hold until she can pass down her Te Xuan Ze powers to a worthy family member. In the meantime, she has to juggle her personal life, school work, and social life on top of her supernatural duties. Luckily, she always has her trusty sidekicks — her wise grandma, Ah-Mah, and her magical dog, Monroe — to guide her.
48.Jamal Malik from Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Played by: Dev Patel
Jamal Malik is an Indian Muslim from the Juhu slum of Mumbai. Before he can answer the final question on a game show, he's arrested and beaten by the police, who suspect him of cheating. Through flashbacks, Jamal reveals his life story, detailing how each experience gave him the answer to each question — including the death of his mother, his relationship with Latika (another girl from their slum who Jamal and his brother, Salim, take in as their "third musketeer"), and a gangster named Maman.
Salim and Jamal eventually escape Maman — who took them to work as street beggars — and Salim later gets a job with a rival gangster, Javed. The brothers eventually rescue Latika, but Salim keeps her for Javed's gang and forces Jamal to leave. Years later, Jamal finds Latika and confesses his love, but she urges him to forget her. When Latika attempts to escape Javed's gang, she's caught by Salim. In hopes of reaching her, Jamal decides to participate in the game show.
The police allow Jamal to return to the game show after hearing his story, but he doesn't know the answer to the final question: What is the name of the third musketeer? He chooses to "phone a friend" and calls Salim, who has since regretted his behavior, freed Latika, and given her his phone. Latika answers Salim's phone and tells Jamal that she doesn't know the answer but is safe. In the end, Jamal correctly picks the name of the third musketeer, wins the grand prize, and reunites with Latika.
49.Jesminder "Jess" Bhamra from Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
Portrayed by: Parminder Nagra
Jess Bhamra is a passionate soccer player (er, footballer, in the UK) who comes from a British Indian Punjabi Sikh family. One day, Jules Paxton, a member of the local women's amateur soccer team, spots Jess playing soccer in the park and asks her to try out for the team. Jess makes the team, but her parents forbid her from playing, so she lies about having a part-time job.
Jess's sister Pinky covers for Jess when she attends a soccer match in Germany, but their parents find out the truth after seeing a newspaper article about the game. While Jess's father is initially against her playing soccer due to the racism he faced while playing cricket, he eventually comes around and supports her.
The team later qualifies for the league tournament finals — where an American talent scout will be watching — but Jess has to miss the game since it falls on the same day as Pinky's wedding. However, Jess's father urges her to go to the game instead, and she scores the winning point with a free kick.
In the end, Jess and Jules are offered sports scholarships at Santa Clara University. Jess's parents ultimately allow her to attend school in the US, and when Jess and Jules get to the airport, they see David and Victoria Beckham — which they take as a good sign.
Do you remember all 49 of these characters? If not, how many did you recognize? Also, any other Asian or Pacific Islander characters from the '90s or '00s that you'd add? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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