So many TV shows and movies feature characters that are noticeably more brainy or socially awkward than their on-screen counterparts. We call these characters nerds, and most of the time we love them. Sometimes they provide a healthy dose of comedic relief, such as when their nerdiness becomes the butt of their friends’ jokes. Other times we love these geeks for their brains, and the interesting ways their intelligence makes them act. At times, too, we can relate to these nerds and would want to know them in real life (I’m looking at you, Seth Cohen).

While nerdy characters can be found in hundreds of TV shows and movies, there are some that are just more memorable than others. Some, such as Dr. Gregory House and Mark Zuckerberg, are not likeable characters but possess an intelligence so great that their personality matters less. Others, such as Brian Johnson and Ross Geller, are adorably quirky and never fail to make viewers laugh. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite on-screen nerds, and why they are so memorable. Take a look at the gallery to see the rest!

Did I skip any all-time favorite on-screen geeks? Who is your favorite TV or movie nerd?

[Images: top photo, Gallery images: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12]