If you’ve ever watched a terrified man scream at a loose seal or seen a presidential aide practically vibrate with anxiety over a tube of lipstick, you already know the power of Tony Hale. The Emmy-winning actor has built a career out of playing deeply weird, oddly lovable characters who always seem one panic attack away from collapse. Yet somehow, he makes them feel painfully familiarand wildly funny.
In this deep dive into Tony Hale rankings and opinions, we’ll look at his most iconic roles, how critics and fans rate his work, and why his performances have quietly reshaped modern TV comedy. Along the way, we’ll talk about his voice work (Forky forever), his background, and what his anxious, big-hearted characters say about all of us.
Who Is Tony Hale, Anyway?
Tony Hale was born in 1970 in West Point, New York, and grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, where he got hooked on acting through local theater and musical productions. He later studied at Samford University and earned a master’s degree from Regent University before heading into the grind of early character roles, commercials, and guest spots on shows like Dawson’s Creek, The Sopranos, and Sex and the City.
His career exploded when he was cast as Buster Bluth on Arrested Development, the socially stunted, mother-obsessed man-child with a hook for a hand and the emotional resilience of a damp paper towel. That performance put him on the comedy map, but it was Gary Walsh on HBO’s Veepthe fiercely loyal “body man” to Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s Selina Meyerthat earned him two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, in 2013 and 2015.
Since then, Hale has branched out into film and animation, providing standout voice work in Toy Story 4, Inside Out 2, and the animated series Archibald’s Next Big Thing, which he also created. His filmography stretches from quirky indies to studio comedies and family movies, but the through-line is clear: he specializes in deliciously awkward, emotionally raw characters who are fun to laugh at and hard not to root for.
Ranking Tony Hale’s Most Iconic Roles
Every fan has their own personal Tony Hale power ranking. You might be a ride-or-die Buster Bluth defender, a Gary Walsh evangelist, or someone who can’t hear the word “trash” without thinking of Forky. Here’s a balanced ranking of his most essential roles, mixing cultural impact, critical response, and pure “I can’t stop quoting this” energy.
#1: Gary Walsh – Veep
If Buster introduced Tony Hale to the world, Gary Walsh proved he was one of the greatest comedic actors of his generation. As Selina Meyer’s ultra-devoted aide, Gary carries her lipstick, pills, secrets, and emotional baggageoften literally. Critics and fans frequently highlight Gary as one of TV’s most memorable assistants, ranking him alongside iconic fictional secretaries and sidekicks for sheer devotion and tragic hilarity.
What pushes Gary to the top of most Tony Hale rankings is how fully realized he is. He’s not just a punch line machine; he’s a walking case study in codependency. Hale plays him with wide-eyed adoration and a constant undercurrent of fear, creating a character who can both break your heart and make you snort-laugh in the same scene. His Emmy-winning work in seasons two and four shows just how much nuance he brings to a guy whose job is essentially “carry bag, absorb trauma, repeat.”
#2: Buster Bluth – Arrested Development
Buster is chaos in human form: overprotected by his mother, terrified of everything, and somehow always in the wrong place at the wrong time (like near a hungry seal). The character could have been a one-note joke, but Hale layers him with insecurity and childlike neediness, turning him into one of sitcom history’s most beloved weirdos.
Fans and critics still rank Buster among the standout characters of Arrested Development, a show already stacked with scene-stealing personalities. His panicked shrieks, awkward posture, and baffling decisions turned him into a cult favorite, with moments like the “loose seal” gag and his enormous prosthetic hand now etched into TV-comedy legend.
#3: Forky – Toy Story 4 and Beyond
Only Tony Hale could make audiences cry over a spork. In Toy Story 4, he voices Forky, a craft-project toy who thinks he’s garbage and keeps flinging himself into trash cans. The character’s mix of existential dread and toddler energy connected with both kids and adults, and the film went on to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and gross over $1 billion worldwide.
Hale’s vocal performance was so popular that Disney spun Forky off into the educational short series Forky Asks a Question, and Hale is set to reprise the role in Toy Story 5. He’s described Forky’s appeal as rooted in “wide-eyed simplicity and newness,” which fits perfectly with the way he plays anxiety as both funny and deeply human.
#4: Mr. Benedict / L.D. Curtain – The Mysterious Benedict Society
In the Disney+ adaptation of The Mysterious Benedict Society, Hale pulls double duty as twin brothers Nicholas Benedict and L.D. Curtainone a kind, eccentric genius and the other a manipulative villain. The show’s mix of mystery, kids’ adventure, and thoughtful themes about anxiety and connection plays right into his strengths.
This role ranks high among critics and parents because it shows Hale’s range outside pure comedy. His performance earned him a Children’s and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Performance, further cementing his status as a go-to actor for projects that blend humor with heart.
#5: Fear – Inside Out 2
Hale stepped into the role of Fear in Pixar’s Inside Out 2, replacing Bill Hader from the first film. It was an intimidating handoff, but he leaned into what he does best: making anxiety hilarious and sympathetic at the same time. With Pixar pushing the sequel into more complex emotional territory, Hale’s Fear feels less like a one-dimensional panic machine and more like a vitalif overcaffeinatedmember of Riley’s inner team.
Early critical reactions and fan chatter often single out Fear’s physical comedy and frantic line deliveries as standouts, proving again that if a character is anxious, twitchy, and slightly overwhelmed by life, Tony Hale is your guy.
#6: Jerome Squalor – A Series of Unfortunate Events
Hale’s turn as Jerome Squalor in Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events is a smaller role in his overall filmography but a memorable one. The show’s stylized, unfortunate universe gave him a chance to lean into exaggerated mannerisms and offbeat timing, and he fit so well into that gothic comedy tone that fans still mention his episodes when they talk about the series’ best supporting performances.
#7: Jefry Traske – Hocus Pocus 2
In Hocus Pocus 2, Hale plays both the bumbling modern-day mayor Jefry Traske and his self-righteous ancestor Reverend Traske. It’s a fun showcase for his ability to make even relatively small roles pop. He brings a nervous energy to the mayor that balances the film’s nostalgia-heavy tone, giving younger viewers someone new to laugh at and long-time fans another reason to enjoy the sequel.
What Makes Tony Hale’s Comedy So Distinctive?
Master of Anxious Physical Comedy
Plenty of actors can deliver a sharp punch line, but Hale also knows how to make a twitchy eyebrow or a flinch funnier than any scripted joke. His characters often move like they’re made of static electricityconstantly on edge, always bracing for impact. That physicality makes Buster’s hand flails, Gary’s bag-clutching stance, and Forky’s jerky movements instantly recognizable.
Balancing Absurdity With Vulnerability
In interviews, Hale has been open about dealing with anxiety and how those experiences help him add emotional truth to his roles. That’s a big reason why his characters rarely feel like mean-spirited caricatures. Even when Buster is being ridiculous or Gary is making terrible choices, you can sense that they’re just scared people trying to navigate worlds they don’t fully understand.
This blend of absurdity and vulnerability is a major reason critics and fans rank his performances so highly. Comedy built on empathy tends to age better than pure mockery, and Hale’s work is a great example of that.
Voice Work That Feels Surprisingly Human
Playing Forky, Fear, and Archibald the chicken in Archibald’s Next Big Thing taps into Hale’s talent for vocal nervousnessthose little quivers, gasps, and rushed phrases that make animated characters feel like real, anxious people. Kids may latch onto the silliness, but adults recognize the underlying emotional accuracy. It’s anxiety, but make it wholesome.
How Fans and Critics Rank Tony Hale
When you scan online rankings, think pieces, and fan forums, a pattern emerges:
- Buster and Gary almost always land in the top two slots, with passionate debate over who deserves the crown.
- Forky regularly cracks “best Disney/Pixar side characters” lists, especially for millennial and Gen Z viewers who see their own existential crises in a plastic spork.
- Critics consistently highlight Hale as a “secret weapon” in ensemble casts, noting how he turns seemingly minor lines or gestures into unforgettable bits.
- Awards bodies clearly respect his craft, with multiple Emmy wins and nominations for Veep and recognition for his work in The Mysterious Benedict Society and animation.
What’s interesting is that Hale isn’t a traditional lead actor in most of his projects. Yet in fan polls and rankings, his characters often dominate the conversation. That says a lot about how modern audiences respond to offbeat, supporting roles that feel specific and emotionally honest.
Where to Start: A Tony Hale Viewing Guide
If you’re new to Tony Hale and want to understand why people obsess over his characters, here’s a simple path:
- Start with Arrested Development (Seasons 1–3) – Classic Buster: panic attacks, bird phobia, and all. This is the purest dose of his early TV persona.
- Move on to Veep – Watch Gary evolve from anxious aide to tragic figure, especially in the later seasons where loyalty and ambition collide.
- Watch Toy Story 4 and a few episodes of Forky Asks a Question – See how his live-action style translates perfectly to animation.
- Add The Mysterious Benedict Society – Experience his dramatic range and dual-role performance.
- Finish with Inside Out 2 – A final reminder that nobody plays fear quite like Tony Hale.
By the end of that list, you’ll understand why Tony Hale rankings usually end with some version of: “He steals every scene he’s in, even when he’s just standing in the background looking worried.”
Experiences, Takeaways, and Personal Opinions on Tony Hale
Part of the fun in talking about Tony Hale rankings and opinions is realizing how personal they feel. Ask a group of fans about their favorite Hale moment and you’ll hear a surprisingly emotional mix of answers.
For some, the defining experience is discovering Arrested Development back when it felt like a secret handshake. They remember laughing at Buster’s over-the-top panic, then slowly realizing just how trapped and emotionally stunted he is. Watching him flail through adulthood, dependent on a mother who both smothers and insults him, hits differently if you’ve ever triedand failedto cut the cord from your own family dynamics.
Others came to Hale through Veep, maybe starting it for Julia Louis-Dreyfus and then being blindsided by Gary Walsh. There’s something painfully relatable about Gary’s need to be needed. His entire identity is wrapped around Selina Meyer: he knows her schedule, her secrets, her pharmaceutical situation, even which lipstick means “I’m about to destroy someone’s career.” When he’s sidelined or dismissed, you can feel his world tilt. For many viewers who’ve worked in support roles or high-pressure offices, Gary’s frantic loyalty feels uncomfortably real.
Parents and kids often have a different gateway experience: sitting in a theater for Toy Story 4 and realizing they’re getting unexpectedly emotional over a spork. Forky’s obsession with trashand his struggle to believe he’s worthy of being lovedis basically a Pixar-flavored therapy session. Adults laugh because they recognize that voice in their own heads that insists they’re not “real” or good enough; kids laugh because Forky keeps sprinting toward the nearest garbage can. Hale threads that needle perfectly, giving the character a sincerity that lingers long after the credits roll.
Then there are the viewers who find Hale again later in life through family-friendly shows like The Mysterious Benedict Society or through interviews where he talks candidly about being bullied, dealing with fear, and learning not to tie his self-worth to his résumé. For those fans, watching him play anxious, compassionate characters feels almost healing. It’s like seeing someone take the worst parts of their inner monologue and turn them into something generous and funny instead of shameful.
All of these experiences shape how people rank his roles. Someone who struggles with anxiety might put Forky or Fear at the top of their list because those characters make it okay to laugh at feelings that usually feel heavy. A political junkie might be obsessed with Gary’s behind-the-scenes loyalty in Veep. A long-time TV comedy fan may still swear that Buster Bluth is the definitive Tony Hale performancenothing beats your first exposure to his particular brand of bewildered chaos.
What ties these opinions together is the sense that Tony Hale doesn’t just play weirdos for cheap laughs. His characters are scared, flawed, and frequently ridiculous, but they’re also kind of brave. They keep showing up, keep trying, keep loving people who don’t always deserve it. That’s why he inspires the kind of loyalty and affection that translates into strongly held rankings, spirited online debates, and heartfelt think pieces about his best roles.
In the end, you could argue about whether Buster or Gary deserves the number one spot foreverand honestly, that debate is part of the fun. But no matter how you order the list, Tony Hale’s impact on modern comedy is easy to rank: he’s in the top tier of performers who turned anxiety, awkwardness, and emotional honesty into something genuinely joyful to watch.
Conclusion
Tony Hale may rarely be the official lead, but he’s almost always the emotional engine of whatever project he joins. From Buster Bluth’s chaotic fragility to Gary Walsh’s heartbreaking devotion and Forky’s existential meltdown, his characters stick with viewers precisely because they’re not smooth, confident heroes. They’re anxious, off-center, and doing their bestand that’s exactly what makes them feel so human.
So when you’re building your own Tony Hale rankings and opinions, you’re not just sorting performances by how hard they made you laugh. You’re also sorting by how deeply they made you feel seen. That’s his secret superpower, and it’s why his best work will keep getting rediscovered, rewatched, and re-ranked for years to come.