Friendly Aliens: Mork & Mindy | Resident Alien | E.T. | ALF | Dr. Who | Superman | Coneheads | Paul | Roger | Stitch and Pleakley |
July 21 marks a quirky and delightful celebration known as “Invite an Alien to Live with You Day.” It’s also Robin Williams birthday. This day is a tribute to the beloved sitcom “Mork & Mindy,” which starred Robin Williams as Mork, an alien from the planet Ork, and Pam Dawber as Mindy, a young journalism graduate who takes him in. The show, which aired from 1978 to 1982, became a cultural phenomenon and remains a classic example of how extraterrestrial characters can capture our hearts and imaginations.
A Closer Look at “Mork & Mindy”
“Mork & Mindy” was a spin-off from the popular sitcom “Happy Days.” Mork first appeared in the “Happy Days” season five episode “My Favorite Orkan.” After attempting to take Richie Cunningham back to his home planet Ork and being thwarted by Fonzi, the character Mork was so popular that he was given his own show, leading to the creation of “Mork & Mindy.” The show follows Mork’s adventures as he tries to understand human behavior, often with hilarious results. His frequent reports back to Ork and his catchphrase “Nanu Nanu” became iconic.
10 Friendly Aliens to Invite to Live with You
But Mork isn’t the only friendly alien to grace our screens. Let’s take a journey through some of the most memorable aliens in movies and TV shows who might just be perfect house guests. From classic sitcoms to modern sci-fi hits, here are 10 friendly aliens you might want to invite to live with you.
1. Mork from “Mork & Mindy”
Mork & Mindy is the show that inspired “Invite an Alien to Live with You Day.” Mork, played by the inimitable Robin Williams (known for “Good Will Hunting,” “Dead Poets Society”), is afriendly alien from the planet Ork sent to study human behavior. Mork’s antics as he tries to understand Earth culture, along with his hilarious dispatches back to Ork, make for some unforgettable TV moments. His childlike curiosity and quirky sense of humor would surely bring joy and laughter to any household.
WEIRD TRIVIA: During his audition, Robin Williams sat on his head, prompting Garry Marshall to say he was the only alien who auditioned.
2. Harry from “Resident Alien“
“Resident Alien” is a newer addition to the lineup of shows featuring friendly aliens. Starring Alan Tudyk (known for “Firefly,” “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”) as Harry Vanderspeigle, an alien who crash-lands on Earth and assumes the identity of a small-town doctor. Harry’s attempts to blend in with humans while carrying out his secret mission are both hilarious and heartwarming. His evolving understanding of humanity makes him a fascinating character to watch.
WEIRD TRIVIA: Alan Tudyk’s character’s alien language was created by combining sounds from various human languages.
Read our review of Resident Alien
3. E.T. from “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”
Steven Spielberg’s “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” is a timeless classic about a young boy named Elliott who befriends a stranded alien. E.T., with his glowing heart and endearing personality, quickly became one of the most beloved extraterrestrial characters in cinema history. The film’s themes of friendship and home resonate deeply, making E.T. a cherished part of many childhoods.
WEIRD TRIVIA: E.T.’s voice was provided by Pat Welsh, a chain-smoking elderly woman whose raspy voice added a unique quality to the character.
4. ALF from “ALF”
“ALF” is a sitcom that aired from 1986 to 1990, featuring ALF (Alien Life Form), a furry, wise-cracking alien from the planet Melmac. ALF, voiced by Paul Fusco, crash-lands in the garage of the Tanner family, who decide to keep him hidden from the authorities. ALF’s sarcastic humor and penchant for getting into trouble make him an unforgettable character.
WEIRD TRIVIA: The name “ALF” is an acronym for “Alien Life Form,” and his real name is Gordon Shumway.
5. The Doctor from “Doctor Who“
“Doctor Who” is a long-running British sci-fi series about the Doctor, an alien Time Lord who travels through time and space in the TARDIS, a ship that looks like a British police box. The Doctor, portrayed by various actors over the years, including David Tennant (known for “Good Omens,” “Broadchurch”) and Jodie Whittaker (known for “Attack the Block”), is known for their compassion, intelligence, and sense of adventure. The Doctor’s ability to regenerate into a new form keeps the show fresh and exciting.
WEIRD TRIVIA: The Doctor’s TARDIS was originally supposed to change its appearance based on its surroundings, but due to budget constraints, it remained a police box.
6. Superman from “Superman“
Superman, also known as Kal-El, is an alien from the planet Krypton who crash-lands on Earth and is raised by human parents. Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Superman is one of the most iconic superheroes of all time. His superhuman abilities and unwavering moral compass make him a symbol of hope and justice. Portrayed by actors like Christopher Reeve (known for “The Superman Series”) and Henry Cavill (known for “The Witcher”), Superman’s story continues to inspire.
WEIRD TRIVIA: Superman’s signature “S” shield is not just a symbol; it is actually the Kryptonian symbol for hope.
7. The Coneheads from “The Coneheads”
“The Coneheads” originated as a sketch on “Saturday Night Live” before becoming a feature film in 1993. Starring Dan Aykroyd (known for “Ghostbusters”) and Jane Curtin (known for “3rd Rock from the Sun”), the Coneheads are aliens from the planet Remulak who attempt to live normal lives on Earth while hiding their true identities. Their distinctive cone-shaped heads and peculiar behavior make for hilarious misunderstandings and comedic situations.
WEIRD TRIVIA: The Coneheads’ distinctive voices were inspired by the speech patterns of Dan Aykroyd’s French-Canadian relatives.
8. Paul from “Paul”
“Paul” is a 2011 sci-fi comedy film about a wise-cracking alien named Paul, voiced by Seth Rogen (known for “Superbad,” “Pineapple Express”). Paul escapes from a top-secret military base and befriends two British comic book geeks – Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) – on a road trip across America. Directed by Greg Mottola, the film’s blend of humor and heart makes Paul a lovable and memorable character. As they struggle to return Paul home, the little green man might just take the outcasts from misfits to intergalactic heroes.
WEIRD TRIVIA: Paul was designed to resemble the stereotypical “grey” alien, but with a more laid-back and humorous personality.
9. Roger from “American Dad!”
“American Dad!” is an animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane, featuring Roger, an alien who lives with the Smith family. Voiced by MacFarlane (known for “Family Guy”), Roger is eccentric, sarcastic, and often disguises himself in various personas. His antics and schemes provide much of the show’s humor, making him a standout character.
WEIRD TRIVIA: Roger’s character was inspired by the extraterrestrial in the 1984 movie “Starman.”
10. Lilo and Pleakley from “Lilo & Stitch“
“Lilo & Stitch” is a beloved Disney animated film and TV series about a young Hawaiian girl named Lilo and her mischievous alien friend, Stitch. Voiced by Chris Sanders (known for “How to Train Your Dragon”) as Stitch and Kevin McDonald (known for “The Kids in the Hall”) as Pleakley, the show follows their adventures as they protect Earth from other alien threats. Pleakley, a nervous and well-meaning alien, often disguises himself in human clothes, adding to the comedy.
Learn about International Stitch Day
WEIRD TRIVIA: Pleakley’s character is known for his fascination with Earth’s mosquitoes, believing them to be an endangered species.
“Invite an Alien to Live with You Day” is a fun and whimsical celebration that pays homage to the charm and humor of extraterrestrial characters in popular culture. From the iconic Mork to the hilarious Roger, these friendly aliens have left a lasting impact on our hearts and minds. So, why not spend the day binge-watching some of these classic shows and movies? Who knows, you might just find yourself wishing for an alien house guest of your own!