17 worst American Horror Story characters

Penny’s father from American Horror Story: Freak Show

Played by: Lee Tergesen

Why the character was the worst: One thing I don’t do is put modern-day expectations on characters from the past. We all know things are wrong now, but back in the day, they were accepted. And if you didn’t have the same views as others, you were an outcast. No, it doesn’t make the actions right, but I don’t expect characters of the past to think like today.

However, Penny’s father was far more than just a man of his time. When it came to his initial views of the carnival performers, sure, he was a man of the 1950s. This was bad enough and warrants him a place on this list of worst American Horror Story characters. However, there are certain actions that make him worse than some of the others already on the list.

It’s all about his actions toward Penny. When she saw past the looks of the members of the troupe, she fell in love. It was a sweet story, and one that made us adore Penny all the more. Then her father banned her from seeing the man she loved.

Well, she went against him, leading him to do something truly horrific. He gets a tattoo artist to tattoo her face and her tongue is disfigured. The aim is to make her unlovable. She finds a home with the “freaks” she’s come to know and love.

He does get some just desserts, although it’s questionable whether it’s enough. The group ends up covering him in tar and then places chicken feathers all over him. It’s not a lot and the chicken feathers would eventually be removed, but he will be scarred for life.