30 Greatest Movie Characters

My top 30 movie characters of all time. I’m sure as soon as I post this I will remember someone that I forgot. There is no magic formula with how this was constructed. I watch a lot of movies. Some characters really resonate with me. These characters are multi-dimensional either because of the comedic timing or their dramatic flare. Either way, they pop off the screen and deserve to be recognized by this blogger.

30. Ed (Nick Frost) – Shaun of the Dead
Nick Frost makes this movie much more enjoyable (and funny) with his candid remarks in his English brogue. Give this movie a go if you’ve never seen it. You’ll see what I’m talking about.
“There's a girl in the garden.”


29. X (Donald Sutherland) – JFK
Odd choice, I know. But I can’t help it. I am totally glued to the screen when “X” is talking with Garrison on the park bench in JFK. There are many great scenes in this movie but Sutherland’s informant “X” is what sticks with me after all these years.
Many facts/characters were exaggerated or fictionalized for this movie. Add Sutherland’s character to the list. He was a concoction of Hollywood to further propel the story.
“We would have arrived days ahead, studied the route, checked all the buildings. Never would have allowed all those wide-open windows overlooking Dealy Plaza, never! We would have had our own snipers covering the area the minute a window went up! They would have been on the radio. We would have been watching the building, checking for baggage, coat under the arms... Never would have allowed a man to open an umbrella along the way! Never would have allowed the car to slow down to 11 miles an hour, much less take that unusual curve at Houston and Elm! You would have felt an army presence on the streets that day. But none of this happened. It was a violation of the most basic protection code we have, and it's an indication of a massive plot based in Dallas.”


28. Captain Koons (Christopher Walken) – Pulp Fiction
Of course Samuel L. Jackson is unforgettable, and John Travolta marked his comeback with the iconic role of Vincent Vega. Walken was only in one flashback scene in which he tells a young Bruce Willis about the story of “the watch.” The young Willis sitting with his legs crossed on the floor stares intently at Walken as the story unfolds. He is hanging on every word and description, as too am I. Walken stole the seen.
“. . . Five long years, he wore this watch up his ass. Then when he died of dysentery, he gave me the watch. . . . .”


27. Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) – Duck Soup
I just saw this movie on TCM recently. This was my introduction to the Marx Brother’s. Although I found some of the brothers to be down right creepy, Groucho’s clever one liners laced with sexual innuendo and unusual antics make Rufus T. Firefly a character ahead of his time.
“Married. I can see you right now in the kitchen, bending over a hot stove. But I can't see the stove.”


26. Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) – The Sting
A suave and cunning Redford at his best. His banter with Paul Newman is classic. It’s a shame these two didn’t make more movies together. For my money it’s one of the great on screen duos.
“He cheats.”


25. Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson) – Back to the Future trilogy
This is a screwball selection, but the more I thought about it the more I knew “Biff” had to make my list. He was great in all three movies. He was such a wonderful antagonist. I loved him in all varieties (present day, futuristic and old west). This can be categorized as my guilty pleasure pick.
“Hello? Hello? Anybody home? Huh? Think, McFly. Think! I gotta have time to get 'em retyped. Do you realize what would happen if I hand in my reports in your handwriting? I'll get fired. You wouldn't want that to happen, would ya? Would ya?”


24. Rev. Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) – The Night of the Hunter
What a fantastically menacing character. Robert Mitchum takes this character from charming to evil to charming and back to evil. There are times when Mitchum is downright chilling. The L-O-V-E / H-A-T-E finger tattoos originate with Mitchum’s Powell.
“I can hear you whisperin' children, so I know you're down there. I can feel myself gettin' awful mad. I'm out of patience children. I'm coming to find you now.”


23. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) – The Naked Gun
I was about 12 when this movie came out. It was right in my wheel house. The jokes were corny, but not too corny. I’ve seen this movie 100 times and can’t get enough of Frank Drebin’s slapstick comedy. Leslie Nielsen would go on to play similar type characters in outrageously bad movies, but Frank Drebin was the original. A classic.
“Well, when I see five weirdos, dressed in togas, stabbing a man in the middle of the park in full view of a hundred people, I shoot the bastards, that's *my* policy!”


22. Luke (Paul Newman) – Cool Hand Luke
Paul Newman has a high degree of watchability in just about every movie he’s in. He is great here. Possibly other than George Kennedy nobody likes Ol’ Luke more than me.
"I can eat fifty eggs."


21. Stumpy (Walter Brennan) – Rio Bravo
Watch this movie, wait 10 years and then tell me what you remember. The answer is Stumpy. Walter Brennan pulls off “slackjawed” like no one else. No one.
“Well, if'n ya don't come back, me 'n' Joe'll have us a good cry.”


20. Del Griffith (John Candy) – Planes, Trains and Automobiles
How can you love a character so much but be incredibly annoyed at them at the same time. That is the magic of John Candy. The comedic genius of Steve Martin and John Candy are on full display in this original road trip movie.
“There's no way on earth we're going to get out of here tonight. We'd have more luck playing pickup sticks with our butt-cheeks than we will getting a flight out of here before daybreak.”
Oh, and “those aren’t pillows. . . . .”


19. Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) - Misery
What could be better than an over the top Kathy Bates playing the obsessive #1 fan to James Caan’s Paul Sheldon? As you’re watching you keep saying to yourself, “Don’t do that, don’t upset her!” If a character makes you squirm in your seat you know it was a great performance. This by far the jewel in Kathy Bates’ career.
“WHAT'S THE MATTER? I will tell you "what's the matter!" I go out of my way for you! I do everything to try and make you happy. I feed you, I clean you, I dress you, and what thanks do I get? "Oh, you bought the wrong paper, Annie, I can't write on this paper, Annie!" Well, I'll get your stupid paper but you just better start showing me a little appreciation around here, Mr. MAN!”


18. Joker (Heath Ledger) – The Dark Knight
Of course Ledger’s Joker is completely unforgettable. Your eyes stay fixated to him every single scene. Definitely a nominee for the, “This guy stole the movie” award.
“Do you want to know why I use a knife? Guns are too quick. You can't savor all the... little emotions. In... you see, in their last moments, people show you who they really are. So in a way, I know your friends better than you ever did. Would you like to know which of them were cowards?”


17. “Verbal” Kint (Kevin Spacey) – The Usual Suspects
Kevin Spacey keeps this movie incredibly intriguing as he sits in a police station and relays the story of the “usual suspects” and their unfortunate connection with Keyser Soze. The movie has one of the best endings that you never saw coming. Admit it. When you first saw it, you had no idea.
“Who is Keyser Soze? He is supposed to be Turkish. Some say his father was German. Nobody believed he was real. Nobody ever saw him or knew anybody that ever worked directly for him, but to hear Kobayashi tell it, anybody could have worked for Soze. You never knew. That was his power. The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist. And like that, poof. He's gone.”


16. Frank the Tank (Will Ferrell) – Old School
Bottom line. I watch this movie to see all of Will Ferrell’s scenes. This movie goes from an A- to a C if you take Frank the Tank’s character out of the equation.
“You tell anyone about this and I'll fucking kill you. I'm kidding, I'm kidding, we'll have him home by tonight. Okay, sweetie.”


15. Alan Garner (Zach Galifianakis) – The Hangover
Do you think they realized while they were filming this movie that Galifianakis was comic gold? I love movies that have the re-watchability factor. I’ve seen this at least a dozen times and I can’t get enough of it. There are so many quotable lines here. Bearded Alan steels every seen that he is in. Please God, don’t let the Hangover 2 be a flaming turd.
“Okay, well, maybe we should tell that to Rain Man, because he practically bankrupt a casino, and he was a retard.”


14. Ben Sanderson (Nicolas Cage) – Leaving Las Vegas
Nicolas Cage is a complete train wreck. This could be one of the best performances ever. I mean ever. My body tenses up and fills with angst as I watch Cage knock this performance out of the park. Movies don’t get too much more dramatic than this.
“I came here to drink myself to death.”


13. Sgt. Hartman (R. Lee Ermey) – Full Metal Jacket
Shrill. Blunt. In your face. Over the top. Somehow, considering the time, I bet there is a lot of truth to this character. If you’ve seen this movie, R. Lee Ermey’s portrayal of the drill sergeant will be etched in your brain forever. Not only does he steal the scenes he’s in, he steals the movie.
“Are you quitting on me? Well, are you? Then quit, you slimy fucking walrus-looking piece of shit! Get the fuck off of my obstacle! Get the fuck down off of my obstacle! NOW! MOVE IT! Or I'm going to rip your balls off, so you cannot contaminate the rest of the world! I will motivate you, Private Pyle, IF IT SHORT-DICKS EVERY CANNIBAL ON THE CONGO!”


12. Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) – Dumb & Dumber
Pound for pound, scene for scene this is one of the funniest characters I’ve seen. The comedy is shallow and inane, but it totally works. We’ve seen Jim Carrey’s goofball antics countless times, but he is at his comedic best in Dumb and Dumber.
“We got no food, no jobs... our PETS' HEADS ARE FALLING OFF!"


11. Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci) – Goodfellas
Good in Raging Bull. Great in Casino. Classic in Goodfellas. You watch Goodfellas to watch Joe Pesci. Period. Because he makes you laugh. . . . . he’s like a clown to you. . . he amuses you. Do you want to feel aged? This movie is 21 years old.
“What do you mean I'm funny?”


10. Col. Nathan R. Jessep (Jack Nicholson) – A Few Good Men
He’s not on screen much, but when he is you can’t take your eyes off of him. Very few have commanded your attention on screen like Col. Nathan Jessep. A Few Good Men is on every weekend on some station. You know you watch it just to see Nicholson.
“I run my unit how I run my unit. You want to investigate me, roll the dice and take your chances. I eat breakfast 300 yards from 4000 Cubans who are trained to kill me, so don't think for one second that you can come down here, flash your badge, and make me nervous.”


9. Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) – No Country for Old Men
Anton Chigurh is such a refreshing change from your normal Hollywood villain. Silent. Menacing. The most unusual killing weapon you’ve ever seen. There are so many unknowns to Chigurh. That’s what makes him so incredibly captivating.
“You need to call it. I can't call it for you. It wouldn't be fair.”


8. Igor (Marty Feldman) – Young Frankenstein
It’s pronounced (eye-gor). Quite possibly the most unique character on the list. If you’ve never seen this movie, SEE THIS MOVIE. It is Mel Brooke’s at his finest. Yes, it’s better than Blazing Saddles. The “Puttin on the Ritz” song and dance routine is one of the ten funniest scenes in movie history.
“I didn't make a yummy sound, I just asked you what it is.”


7. Captain Spalding (Sid Haig) – The Devil’s Rejects
My brother says that if Shakespeare did horror and mayhem this would be it. This is a very, VERY troubling movie. It is not for the faint of heart. Once you get past the horror and inhumanity you’re watching on the screen you can’t help but to empathize with these characters. Dare I say you start to root for these characters? Captain Spalding’s ability to insight terror and comedy instantaneously is what makes him so special.
“Why? Don't we make ya laugh? Aren't we fuckin' funny? You best come up with an answer, cos I'm gonna come back here and check on you and your momma and if you ain't got a reason why you hate clowns, I'm gonna kill your whole fucking family.”


6. Bill Munny (Clint Eastwood) – Unforgiven
No flash. No pizzazz. No extended action. The movie trots right along on Eastwood’s brittle shoulders. I will watch all two hours and eleven minutes of this movie just to hear Eastwood profess at the end:
“You better bury Ned right!... Better not cut up, nor otherwise harm no whores... or I'll come back and kill every one of you sons of bitches.”


5. Blake (Alec Baldwin) – Glengarry Glen Ross
Quite possibly the best cast put together in one film. And EVERYONE nails their roles. There is absolutely no action or frills to this movie. It is 100% dialogue driven. Alec Baldwin’s Blake is only in the movie one scene. To say he steals the scene is an understatement. Without question this is Baldwin at his best. He earns his chops in this scene giving a speech to a handful of salesmen that don’t really want to hear what he has to say. Even with Pacino, Lemon, Arkin, Harris and Spacey in the room you know that Baldwin is the Alpha male.
“That watch costs more than you car. I made $970,000 last year. How much'd you make? You see pal, that's who I am, and you're nothing. Nice guy? I don't give a shit. Good father? Fuck you! Go home and play with your kids. You wanna work here - close! You think this is abuse? You think this is abuse, you cocksucker? You can't take this, how can you take the abuse you get on a sit? You don't like it, leave. . . . .”


4. Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) – Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Short of Eraserhead this is quite possibly the zaniest movie you will ever see. Based on Hunter S. Thompson’s psychedelic journey to Las Vegas, Depp’s performance is an utter delight. The drug use in the movie is mind blowing. The dialogue between Duke and Dr. Gonzo is startling, scary and funny all at once. Make sure you watch this movie with the subtitles ON. You will miss much if you don’t.
“No point in mentioning these bats, I thought. Poor bastard will see them soon enough.”


3. The Dude (Jeff Bridges) – The Big Lebowski
The Dude abides. This movie flows like water from a faucet. Bridges is flawless in his apathy. I want to drink White Russians and bowl with the Dude. I want to cheer him on as he goes head to head with Jesus.
“I do mind, the Dude minds. This will not stand, ya know, this aggression will not stand, man.”


2. “Sonny” The Apostle E. F. (Robert DuVall) – The Apostle
DuValls’s “Sonny” is most likely higher on my list than anyone else’s. I love Robert DuVall. He commands your attention. Quite simply he pops off the screen the whole movie. DuVall’s persuasion and likeability are at an all time high. I don’t see anyone else taking this role and shaping it the way DuVall did. By the end of the movie you want to join the revival and chant Jesus’ name right along with the Apostle E. F.
“I'd rather die today and go to heaven than live to be a hundred and go to hell.”


1. Marv (Mickey Rourke) – Sin City
My favorite character in a movie loaded with quotable, intriguing characters. Marv is hell bent on getting justice for avenging the death of a beautiful “lady of the night,” Goldie. The imagery and action sequences are like no other movie. Marv is the bona fide man. Case closed.
“I'll stare the bastard in the face as he screams to God, and I'll laugh harder when he whimpers like a baby. And when his eyes go dead, the hell I send him to will seem like heaven after what I've done to him.”

“I'm on my feet for about ten minutes before the cops kick them out from under me. They don't ask me any questions. They just keep knocking the crap out of me and waving a confession in my face. And I keep spitting blood all over it and laughing at how many fresh copies they come up with. Then along comes this worm assistant district attorney who turns the recorder off and says if I don't sign their confession, they'll kill my mom. I break his arm in three places and I sign it.”

“What if I'm wrong? I've got a condition. I get confused sometimes. What if I've imagined all this? What if I've finally turned into what they've always said I would turn into? A maniac. A psycho killer.”

[After being electrocuted in the electric chair] “Is that the best you can do, you pansies?”