Maecenas abettor admirer advocate aficionado angel apologist backer bit player buff champion defender dependence encourager endorser exponent extra fan favorer figurant figurante friend at court lover mainstay maintainer mute paranymph partisan patron promoter protagonist reliance second seconder sectary sider spear-carrier sponsor stalwart stand-in substitute supe super supernumerary support supporter supporting actor supporting cast sustainer sympathizer understudy upholder votary walk-on walking gentleman well-wisher