History JerkWithAHeartOfGold / LiveActionTV

* Spike of ''{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}'' often acted in accordance with this trope between the end of season 2 and the later episodes of season 5 (though due to a case of AppliedPhlebotinum, he could also be a monster, a minion, a HeroicSociopath, or even something of a {{Darwinist}}, all as demanded by the situation). After this, full {{Badass Decay}} finally kicked in.

* In the first season of [[GreenWing Green Wing]], [[HandsomeLech Guy]] is annoying and insensitive, with very few redeemable features. In the second series, he starts to [[spoiler: grow fond of Caroline, and even proposes to her]]. Though still something of a jerk, he clearly ''does'' have a soft side.

* Sanrana, Rachel, Sue, Puck and Quinn from ''{{Glee}}''.

* Rachel, Sue, Puck and Quinn from ''{{Glee}}''.

** Don't forget his black counterpart, [[''TheJeffersons'' George Jefferson]].

* Wait, seriously? This page made it this far with ''nobody'' mentioning the ultimate example? Archie Bunker from ''{{All In The Family}}''.

** One particular episode shows Gomer catching a cold, but due to a mix-up of information from the doctor's office, Carter thinks that Gomer is dying. This causes him to show complete kindness to Gomer. He even requests that Gomer address him by his Christian name.

* Leo from ''TheWestWing'' is this, but he should be considered more pure gold with a crust of jerk rather than a jerk with a heart of gold, especially as he doesn't really attempt a HiddenHeartOfGold. Toby fits this trope more accurately -- he acts like an asshole, but cares deeply about his friends, is extremely loyal to the President, and much of his jerkiness comes from irritation over the fact that he has such high ideals and standards that no one else can measure up to him.

** In ''[[MASHTheSeries M*A*S*H]]'''s early years. Hawkeye and Trapper John were like this-- they're cocky, insubordinate pranksters and hellraisers who irritate others constantly, and two of the best and most caring doctors you could hope for. And most of the of their pranks [[ChaoticGood were directed toward the mostly unlikeable]] [[JerkAss Frank Burns]] and [[IceQueen Margaret Houlihan]], anyway.

* Major Charles Emerson Winchester, ''[[{{MASH}} M* A* S* H]]'', making him more than just a SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute for [[{{Jerkass}} Maj. Burns]]. Self-centered, elitist and, despite being rich already, often greedy and self-promoting, he is saved from pure Jerkassdom by a strong core of personal integrity and occasional moments of genuine kindness and sympathy. Plus he's also actually just about as good as he thinks he is in the operating room.
** Hawkeye and Trapper John too, really -- they're cocky, insubordinate pranksters and hellraisers who irritate others constantly, and two of the best and most caring doctors you could hope for.

* Walter White's brother-in-law, Hank Schroeder, is a DEA agent and a bit of a jerk to Walt (while Walt starts off a simple high-school chemistry teacher, while Hank is ''far'' cooler). He is also ''extremely'' stubborn and self-confident. On the other hand, he genuinely loves his wife and his nephew, Walter, Jr. (who in turn idolizes Hank).

* [[{{Heroes}} Nathan Petrelli]], when running for congressman, is a good example of this trope. He cultivates some bad connections and habits but genuinely loves his family and does what he can to help them.

* Andy Milman from {{Extras}} is a variant of this: he is a very grumpy, selfish, self-centered, and sarcastic guy, and he has contempt for people like Derrin who are idiotic, pathetic, or incompetant (in his eyes at least). He does genuinely like and care about Maggie, however, and he truly wants to be a great actor. The world just seems to conspire to make him look like significantly more of an asshole than he actually is, putting him in situations where he accidentally appears racist, homophobic, anti-religious (which he is, but not in an asshole way), intolerant of the mentally handicapped, etc. However, unlike Maggie, who similarly gets into such situations, it's usually at least partly his fault for being an ass.

* Elliot Stabler from LawAndOrderSVU. He can be quite an ass at times, but when the chips are down, he'll do whatever he can to come through for his friends and the case.

* Fonzie from HappyDays, particularly before his BadassDecay.

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** There's no doubt those hearts were pure gold after their IAmSpartacus CrowningMomentOfAwesome in Countdown to Destruction.