History Main / BitCharacter

** Deputy Mayor Finch's death marks the third murder investigation involving Buffy in less than two years: she is previously suspected in the deaths of fellow Slayer Kendra and her would-be stepfather, Ted. Each investigation is headed by the same Detective (played by James MacDonald).

--> "Heh heh. They always go for the 'E.'"

* Cloak from the ''Literature/BraveNewWorldUniverse'' is barely introduced in the first arc of the story, has less than ten lines, and is never seen again until he tries to double-cross The Benefactor. He is quickly killed in the ensuing CurbStompBattle.

-->-- '''Website/{{SF Debris}}''' on Iggy's ''Series/DeepSpaceNine'' [[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS06E10TheMagnificentFerengi turn]].

SuperTrope of BitPartBadguys, VeryPunchableMan. When the apparent BitCharacter returns with importance, it's ChekhovsGunman.

[[folder:Live-Action Film]]
* ''Film/MarsAttacks'': Danny [=Devito's=] character that only gets about five minutes of screentime. Within those five minutes, he reveals he is [[AcceptableTargets a lawyer]] and offers his services to a Martian who quickly zaps him. They really wanted to make sure the audience didn't [[AssholeVictim sympathize too much]] just before bumping him off.

* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': Most of the recurring special ponies with a job or role are these. You'll see them whenever the cast goes to their place or require their services. They'll usually appear in an episode, do their thing, maybe even have a little chat or two with the major characters and then leave or disappear until they are needed again. They also help move the plot along through their own little way (you can't have a spa scene without the spa ponies operating the spa itself right?). Without them, [[TheMainCharactersDoEverything the cast would have to do everything themselves]]. If they get ''really'' lucky and get an important role, they may be promoted into minor character.

Some actors make a decent living playing bit characters throughout their careers, never moving up the hierarchy to "star". Such actors are called "bit players", and can lead to a case of HeyItsThatGuy as you wonder he appears in the background of every movie made in that country. Before she played the lead in the 1957 TV series ''The Adventures of Tugboat Annie'', Minerva Urecal was a bit player in the movies.

* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'': Deputy Mayor Finch's death marks the third murder investigation involving Buffy in less than two years: she is previously suspected in the deaths of fellow Slayer Kendra and her would-be stepfather, Ted. Each investigation is headed by the same Detective (played by James MacDonald).

* ''Series/BufyTheVampireSlayer'': Deputy Mayor Finch's death marks the third murder investigation involving Buffy in less than two years: she is previously suspected in the deaths of fellow Slayer Kendra and her would-be stepfather, Ted. Each investigation is headed by the same Detective (played by James MacDonald).

The Bit Character may have a small role, but that part can move the plot along in some way ([[UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom possibly for the worse]]), or let them serve as a {{Foil}} to a major character to flesh out the characterization. They could even be someone who gives the hero a piece of useful information, when the hero usual source has run dry or is unavailable for whatever reason. While they might have some eccentricity to make them interesting, a bit character is generally a FlatCharacter, to prevent the question of WhatHappenedToTheMouse from arising.

-->-- '''Website/{{SF Debris}}'''

->"[[Music/TheStooges Iggy Pop]] was not inexperienced in acting before this. His IMDb page lists all of his numerous previous roles, such as "Prospective Guest", "Skinny Player on Road", and--coming off of his most recent success--"Man Eating Bird Leg!" (No hyphen, so I assume he is a man eating a bird leg, but I cannot rule out that he was a bird leg that STALKED AND KILLED HUMANS.)"

''Anime/YuGiOh'': Cyndia is one, although she is important to the plot. She also serves as a {{Foil}} to flesh out Pegasus' character through his backstory.

''Film/MarsAttacks'': Danny [=Devito's=] character that only gets about five minutes of screentime. Within those five minutes, he reveals he is [[AcceptableTargets a lawyer]] and offers his services to a Martian who quickly zaps him. They really wanted to make sure the audience didn't [[AssholeVictim sympathize too much]] just before bumping him off.

''VideoGame/HyperdimensionNeptuniaVictory'': Shakeko, one of the more fleshed out Scouts

''VideoGame/KidIcarus'': Space Pirate Captain

''Webcomic/{{Company 0051}}'': Ally, originally the counterpart to Sam, appears the least of all the characters now that Sam has risen in prominence. However, it's fitting given she's a much quieter, non-comedic character, and she actually does get one moment in the limelight with the Chief following Maria's confrontation.

''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': Most of the recurring special ponies with a job or role are these. You'll see them whenever the cast goes to their place or require their services. They'll usually appear in an episode, do their thing, maybe even have a little chat or two with the major characters and then leave or disappear until they are needed again. They also help move the plot along through their own little way (you can't have a spa scene without the spa ponies operating the spa itself right?). Without them, [[TheMainCharactersDoEverything the cast would have to do everything themselves]]. If they get ''really'' lucky and get an important role, they may be promoted into minor character.

YuGiOh: Cyndia is one, although she is important to the plot. She also serves as a {{Foil}} to flesh out Pegasus' character through his backstory.

MarsAttacks: Danny [=Devito's=] character that only gets about five minutes of screentime. Within those five minutes, he reveals he is [[AcceptableTargets a lawyer]] and offers his services to a Martian who quickly zaps him. They really wanted to make sure the audience didn't [[AssholeVictim sympathize too much]] just before bumping him off.

HyperdimensionNeptuniaVictory: Shakeko, one of the more fleshed out Scouts

KidIcarus: Space Pirate Captain

{{Company0051}}: Ally, originally the counterpart to Sam, appears the least of all the characters now that Sam has risen in prominence. However, it's fitting given she's a much quieter, non-comedic character, and she actually does get one moment in the limelight with the Chief following Maria's confrontation.

FriendshipIsMagic: Most of the recurring special ponies with a job or role are these. You'll see them whenever the cast goes to their place or require their services. They'll usually appear in an episode, do their thing, maybe even have a little chat or two with the major characters and then leave or disappear until they are needed again. They also help move the plot along through their own little way (you can't have a spa scene without the spa ponies operating the spa itself right?). Without them, [[TheMainCharactersDoEverything the cast would have to do everything themselves]]. If they get ''really'' lucky and get an important role, they may be promoted into minor character.

<<|CharactersAndCasting|>>

->"Music/IggyPop was not inexperienced in acting before this. His IMDb page lists all of his numerous previous roles, such as "Prospective Guest", "Skinny Player on Road", and--coming off of his most recent success--"Man Eating Bird Leg!" (No hyphen, so I assume he is a man eating a bird leg, but I cannot rule out that he was a bird leg that STALKED AND KILLED HUMANS.)"
-->-- '''{{SFDebris}}'''

Some actors make a decent living playing bit characters throughout their careers, never moving up the hierarchy to "star". Such actors are called "bit players". Before she played the lead in the 1957 TV series ''The Adventures of Tugboat Annie'', Minerva Urecal was a bit player in the movies.

While an extra is the guy walking down the hall carrying a stack of papers -- basically a piece of animated furniture -- the bit character is the receptionist who briefly interacts with the heroes, telling them that Mr Jones is too busy to see them right now, before turning to do other things.

The Bit Character may have a small role, but that part can move the plot along in some way ([[UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom possibly for the worse]]), or let them serve as a {{Foil}} to a major character to flesh out the characterization. While they might have some eccentricity to make them interesting, a bit character is generally a FlatCharacter, to prevent the question of WhatHappenedToTheMouse from arising.

The Bit Character may have a small role, but that part can move the plot along in some way ([[UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom possibly for the worse]]), or let them serve as a {{Foil}} to a major character to flesh out the characterization. While they might have some eccentricity to make them interesting, a bit character is generally a FlatCharacter, to prevent the question of WhatHappenedToTheMouse? from arising.

The Bit Character may have a small role, but that part can move the plot along in some way ([[SwissMessenger possibly for the worse]]), or let them serve as a {{Foil}} to a major character to flesh out the characterization. While they might have some eccentricity to make them interesting, a bit character is generally a FlatCharacter, to prevent the question of WhatHappenedToTheMouse? from arising.

A Bit Character is a minor character in the cast. She or he has a slightly larger part than the extra or the SpearCarrier, but isn't a well-known actor taking a small part, like a {{Cameo}}. The British television industry often refers to these as "under sixes" (six being the number of spoken lines required to no longer be a bit part).

The Bit Character may have a small role, but that part can move the plot along in some way, or let them serve as a {{Foil}} to a major character to flesh out the characterization. While they might have some eccentricity to make them interesting, a bit character is generally a FlatCharacter, to prevent the question of WhatHappenedToTheMouse? from arising.