Grifters and con artists might be the shadiest characters on TV, but damn, do we love them.
Whether they’re pulling off elaborate heists, spinning lies so smoothly you’d believe every word, or charming their way out of trouble, these hustlers turn deception into an art form.
They might bend the rules (and occasionally break a few laws), but their wit, charm, and unpredictable antics keep us hooked every time.
With clever schemes and magnetic personalities, they blur the line between hero and antihero, leaving us wondering if we’d root for them or fall for their cons ourselves.
TV just wouldn’t be the same without these masters of mischief keeping us on our toes.
So, who are the greatest grifters ever to grace the small screen? Let’s find out.
Jim Rockford — The Rockford Files
Jim Rockford from The Rockford Files is the original smooth-talking hustler with a heart of gold.
A private investigator with a knack for bending the truth, Jim isn’t above using a little deception to get the job done — especially when the odds (or his client’s bank account) aren’t in his favor.
Living in a trailer by the beach and taking cases no one else will touch, Rockford’s laid-back charm and quick wit make him a legend.
Sure, he’s not rolling in cash, but who needs money when you’ve got street smarts like his?
Watch The Rockford Files Online
Sophie Devereaux — Leverage
Sophie Devereaux from Leverage isn’t just a grifter — she’s the grifter.
A master of disguise and persuasion, Sophie can slip into any role, from a posh aristocrat to a desperate victim, leaving marks none the wiser.
Her ability to manipulate people with her sharp mind and silver tongue makes her an invaluable part of the Leverage crew.
But beneath her con-woman facade is a loyal teammate who uses her skills to help the underdog. Sophie doesn’t just steal — it’s practically performance art, and she always leaves us wanting an encore.
Watch Leverage Online
Jack Dalton — MacGyver
Jack Dalton from the OG MacGyver is the lovable rogue who always seems to have a scheme up his sleeve.
With a penchant for bending the truth and an eye for opportunity, Jack’s hustling ways often land him — and his friends — in hot water.
But his quick wit, charm, and loyalty make it impossible to stay mad at him for long.
Jack proves that even the most unpredictable grifters can be the ultimate wild card, whether he’s bluffing his way out of trouble or concocting a half-baked plan.
Watch MacGyver Online
Saul Goodman/Jimmy McGill — Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad
Saul Goodman from Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad is the con man who redefined the art of bending the law — and reality.
Starting as the ambitious Jimmy McGill, his descent into Saul’s shady, quick-talking persona is a masterclass in moral gray areas.
With his colorful suits, slick schemes, and “criminal lawyer” catchphrase, Saul can sell anyone on just about anything, from legal loopholes to downright scams.
Whether you see him as a tragic figure or a born grifter, one thing’s certain: Saul always plays the game better than anyone else.
Watch Better Call Saul Online
Brett Maverick — Maverick
Brett Maverick from Maverick is the ultimate old-school hustler, blending charm, wit, and just the right amount of mischief.
A poker-playing drifter who thrives on outsmarting his opponents, Brett’s schemes often walk the line between genius and pure luck.
He’s not afraid to con a con or bluff his way out of danger, all while keeping his cool under pressure.
With his sharp tongue and knack for avoiding a fair fight, Brett proves you don’t need brawn when you’ve got brains — and a winning hand.
Watch Maverick Online
James “Sawyer” Ford — Lost
James “Sawyer” Ford from Lost is the quintessential con man with a tragic backstory.
Stranded on a mysterious island, Sawyer’s sharp tongue, southern charm, and penchant for nicknames make him both infuriating and irresistible.
While his survival skills and resourcefulness keep him ahead of the pack, his heart of gold occasionally shines through, hinting at the man he could be underneath the grifter exterior.
Whether he’s hustling for supplies or sparking drama, Sawyer’s bad-boy persona keeps everyone guessing — and watching.
Watch Lost Online
Raymond “Red” Reddington — The Blacklist
Raymond “Red” Reddington from The Blacklist is the grandmaster of manipulation and deception.
As a criminal mastermind turned FBI informant, Red always seems five steps ahead, weaving intricate schemes with the finesse of a chess champion.
His silver tongue, impeccable taste, and enigmatic charm make him impossible to resist — even when you know he’s probably playing you.
Whether he’s pulling strings for personal gain or crafting elaborate cons to outwit his enemies, Red is the kind of grifter who makes chaos look like art.
Watch The Blacklist Online
Lucas Hood — Banshee
Lucas Hood from Banshee is the ultimate identity thief — he’s not just running a con, he’s living one.
After assuming the identity of a small-town sheriff, Lucas navigates a dangerous double life filled with lies, violence, and high-stakes crime.
With his resourcefulness and sharp instincts, Lucas blends deception with raw grit to stay one step ahead of his enemies.
Whether he’s outsmarting his rivals or breaking every rule in the book, Lucas proves that some cons aren’t just for profit — they’re for survival.
Watch Banshee Online
Neal Caffrey — White Collar
Neal Caffrey from White Collar is the definition of suave.
A world-class art forger and con artist, Neal has charm for days and a knack for talking his way out of anything.
But what makes him truly unforgettable is his partnership with FBI agent Peter Burke — proving that even a con man can have a moral compass (albeit a wobbly one).
Whether he’s stealing priceless treasures or helping solve white-collar crimes, Neal makes the grifter life look like a glamorous game of cat and mouse.
Watch White Collar Online
Benjamin “Ben” Jones — The Catch
Benjamin “Ben” Jones from The Catch is a con artist who blends charm, intelligence, and deception into a dangerous cocktail.
Operating under the alias Christopher Hall, he pulls off high-stakes cons, including one that devastates private investigator Alice Vaughan by stealing her life savings.
But Ben’s schemes aren’t always heartless — his complex relationship with Alice adds layers to his character, blurring the lines between love and betrayal.
Whether he’s running a scam or grappling with his feelings, Ben’s smooth moves make him impossible to resist — and impossible to trust.
Watch The Catch Online
Wayne and Dahlia Malloy — The Riches
Wayne and Dahlia Malloy from The Riches are grifters who take the long con to a whole new level.
After stumbling into an opportunity to assume the identity of a wealthy suburban family, the Malloys dive headfirst into the charade.
Balancing their criminal past with the pressures of maintaining their new life, Wayne’s slick charm and Dahlia’s grit make them a dynamic duo.
Together, they prove that sometimes, the biggest scam is pretending to be normal.
Watch Chicago Med Online
John Meehan — Dirty John
John Meehan from Dirty John is the kind of con artist who makes your skin crawl.
With his manipulative charm and ability to prey on vulnerabilities, he weaves himself into his victims’ lives, leaving heartbreak and chaos in his wake.
Unlike the playful grifters on this list, John’s schemes are deeply sinister, showing the terrifying side of the con game.
Based on a true story, his chilling antics remind us that not all hustlers are harmless—and some cons come with devastating consequences.
Watch Dirty John Online
Marius Jospovic — Sneaky Pete
Marius Josipovic from Sneaky Pete is the ultimate identity thief.
After escaping prison, Marius assumes the identity of his former cellmate, Pete Murphy, and seamlessly slides into Pete’s unsuspecting family.
With his quick wit, smooth talk, and knack for staying one step ahead, Marius juggles his charade while trying to outsmart dangerous criminals hot on his trail.
Equal parts charming and cunning, Marius proves that sometimes, the best cons are the ones that hit closest to home.
Watch Sneaky Pete Online
Remington Steele — Remington Steele
Remington Steele from Remington Steele is the con man who faked his way into a detective agency — and made it thrive.
With his suave demeanor, quick wit, and an uncanny ability to think on his feet, Steele transforms Laura Holt’s struggling agency into a success.
But beneath the sophistication and mystery is a man constantly balancing his fabricated identity with the truth.
Whether he’s solving cases or bluffing his way through danger, Steele proves that a little deception can go a long way — especially when it’s this charming.
Watch Remington Steele Online
Michael Stone — Hustle
Michael Stone, better known as Mickey Bricks on Hustle, is the ultimate long-con artist and the mastermind behind some of TV’s most brilliant schemes.
As the leader of a crew of expert grifters, Mickey specializes in taking down corrupt marks with elaborate plans full of twists and double-crosses.
Intelligent, charismatic, and quick-witted, Mickey’s dedication to the art of the long con sets him apart from other hustlers.
With his meticulous attention to detail and unshakable cool, Mickey proves that outsmarting the bad guys can be both lucrative and wildly entertaining.
Watch Hustle Online
David Addison — Moonlighting
David Addison from Moonlighting is the fast-talking, wisecracking con man turned private investigator who gives grifting a comedic edge.
As the heart and chaos of the Blue Moon Detective Agency, David’s schemes and charm are as unpredictable as they are effective.
Whether he’s bluffing a suspect or pulling off a harebrained plan, David’s ability to outwit almost anyone keeps things exciting — and Maddie on her toes.
He may bend the rules, but his charisma makes him impossible not to root for.
Watch Moonlighting Online
Bridget Kelly — Ringer
Bridget Kelly from Ringer takes identity theft to a whole new level.
On the run from her troubled past, Bridget steps into her twin sister Siobhan’s glamorous life, only to find herself tangled in a web of secrets, lies, and danger.
While her motives aren’t purely selfish, Bridget’s ability to play the part of a high-society socialite shows how resourceful and desperate she is.
With every move, she teeters on the edge of being exposed, proving that the ultimate con is keeping up the act.
Watch Ringer Online
Lucifer Morningstar — Lucifer
Lucifer Morningstar from Lucifer isn’t just the Devil — he’s the smoothest grifter in the universe.
With his devilish charm, quick wit, and uncanny ability to get people to reveal their deepest desires, Lucifer can con just about anyone into anything.
While his mischief is often playful, it’s clear there’s a heart underneath all the swagger.
Whether he’s outsmarting celestial beings or charming mortals, Lucifer proves that being bad can look oh-so-good. After all, who wouldn’t fall for the Devil’s irresistible pitch?
Watch Lucifer Online
Harry Lime — The Third Man
Available for purchase on DVD/Some episodes available for free on YouTube
Harry Lime from The Third Man (1959-1965) is the quintessential charming rogue whose charisma masks a dark, calculating nature.
Operating in the shadowy postwar underworld, Harry is a black-market dealer whose cons and schemes leave devastation in their wake.
Yet, even as his actions spark chaos, his smooth-talking charm and enigmatic presence make him impossible to hate.
Whether he’s weaving lies or disappearing into the shadows, Harry Lime proves that sometimes, the most compelling con artists are the ones you can’t entirely figure out.
Maddie Jonson — Imposters
Maddie Jonson from Imposters is the ultimate heartbreaker — literally.
As a con artist who marries her marks before vanishing with their money, Maddie’s mix of charm, beauty, and cunning makes her both irresistible and dangerous.
But her life isn’t all glamorous grifts; Maddie struggles with the emotional toll of her cons and the tangled web of lies she’s forced to maintain.
Equal parts manipulative and vulnerable, Maddie keeps everyone guessing, proving that even the best grifters can’t always escape their own schemes.
Watch Imposters Online
Letty Raines — Good Behavior
Letty Raines from Good Behavior is the epitome of a modern grifter.
A thief and con artist trying to turn her life around, Letty is as clever as she is complicated.
Whether she’s pulling off daring heists or manipulating her way out of impossible situations, her quick thinking and undeniable charm keep her one step ahead — most of the time.
With a messy past and a knack for reinvention, Letty’s cons are as thrilling to watch as her journey toward redemption. She proves that even the best hustlers can have a heart.
Watch Good Behavior Online
Mr. Wednesday — American Gods
Mr. Wednesday from American Gods is the grifter of the gods, spinning lies and schemes with the ease of a seasoned hustler.
Whether he’s charming mortals, manipulating allies, or conning his way to power, Wednesday is always two steps ahead.
His silver tongue and magnetic charisma make him impossible to ignore, even when you know he’s up to no good.
With his sights set on reigniting belief in the old gods, Wednesday’s cons are more than just tricks — they’re a battle for survival.
Watch American Gods Online
Anna Delvey — Inventing Anna
Anna Delvey from Inventing Anna is the queen of high-society grifting, conning New York’s elite into believing she was a wealthy heiress.
With her bold lies, impeccable fashion sense, and unapologetic ambition, Anna navigated a world of privilege while leaving a trail of chaos in her wake.
Her scams were as audacious as they were fascinating, making her one of the most talked-about con artists in modern history.
Whether you love her, hate her, or can’t decide, there’s no denying Anna knew how to play the game — and win, at least for a while.
Watch Chicago Med Online
Grift Happens: Why We Can’t Resist TV’s Con Artists
From charming rogues to master manipulators, these grifters remind us why we love a good hustle. They break the rules, bend the truth, and somehow leave us cheering for them anyway.
Whether it’s their quick wit, magnetic personalities, or sheer audacity, these characters prove that the art of the con is alive and well on TV.
So, who’s your favorite TV grifter? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to watch your wallet — they might just con their way into your heart.
Who’s the ultimate TV con artist?
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