Screened for Authenticity
Among the many famous screen characters which are based on real people:
Sunday
The character of Charles Foster Kane in “Citizen Kane” is based on publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst, who worked aggressively to suppress the distribution and success of the unflattering character portrait.
Monday
Lanky, eccentric neighbor Cosmo Kramer on “Seinfeld” was inspired by co-creator Larry David’s onetime neighbor Kenny Kramer.
Tuesday
The purely logical, unemotional Mr. Spock on TV’s Star Trek was inspired by Los Angeles police chief William H. Parker, who series creator Gene Roddenberry wrote speeches for in a previous career. Parker was described as a “very analytic, rational person, very dismissive of emotions…”
Wednesday
There are several inspirations for underdog boxer Rocky Balboa in “Rocky.” His first name comes from legendary heavyweight boxer Rocco Francis “Rocky Marciano” Marchegiano, and “Balboa” is the street that Sylvester Stallone lived near in his first run-down apartment in Hollywood while trying to break into the industry. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity plot was drawn from the Chuck Wepner vs. Muhammad Ali fight, in which this real-life club boxer was given a rare shot to fight the champ and lasted 15 rounds in the ring, despite the long odds against him.
Thursday
Among film’s most beloved slackers, “The Dude” in “The Big Lebowski” is strongly influenced by Jeff Dowd, film producer, marketing executive, former anti-war activist, and, yes, White Russian cocktail enthusiast. Dowd was a friend of Big Lebowski filmmakers of Joel and Ethan Coen.
Friday
John Nettleship, early chemistry teacher of JK Rowling, wore his long, dark hair parted in the middle, and was, in his own words, “demanding, exacting, and wouldn’t suffer fools gladly,” much like Professor Severus Snape, the Harry Potter character he inspired.
Saturday
The inspiration for Betty Boop is a strange two-parter. The first performer to use “Boop boop-a-doop” while she sang, danced, and made amusing faces on stage was child performer “Baby Esther” Jones. However, many signature parts of her act were stolen by aspiring performer Helen Kane. Kane’s (stolen) stage act was then made into the famous Betty Boop cartoon character. Kane sued Boop’s creators and lost when it came out that Jones was the original inspiration, though Jones was never compensated or credited.