are they based on a true story welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
to watchmojo.com and today we’re
to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10 characters you didn’t know were inspired
characters you didn’t know were inspired
characters you didn’t know were inspired by real people
by real people
by real people before we begin we publish new videos
before we begin we publish new videos
before we begin we publish new videos every day so be sure to subscribe for
every day so be sure to subscribe for
every day so be sure to subscribe for more great content for this list we’ll
more great content for this list we’ll
more great content for this list we’ll be looking at popular movie characters
be looking at popular movie characters
be looking at popular movie characters who are believed to be based on
who are believed to be based on
who are believed to be based on real-life individuals while extensive
real-life individuals while extensive
real-life individuals while extensive liberties are given when it comes to
liberties are given when it comes to
liberties are given when it comes to creating a fictional character these
creating a fictional character these
creating a fictional character these picks were at least rooted in history
picks were at least rooted in history
picks were at least rooted in history helping them become the characters we
helping them become the characters we
helping them become the characters we know love and sometimes fear number 10
know love and sometimes fear number 10
know love and sometimes fear number 10 Indiana Jones from the Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones from the Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones from the Indiana Jones franchise based on Hiram Bingham the
franchise based on Hiram Bingham the
franchise based on Hiram Bingham the third for many the name Indiana Jones is
third for many the name Indiana Jones is
third for many the name Indiana Jones is synonymous with the rugged whip-wielding
synonymous with the rugged whip-wielding
synonymous with the rugged whip-wielding archaeologist adventurer from the
archaeologist adventurer from the
archaeologist adventurer from the landmark franchise of the same name
landmark franchise of the same name
landmark franchise of the same name while many people have been said to be
while many people have been said to be
while many people have been said to be the characters inspiration one of the
the characters inspiration one of the
the characters inspiration one of the most surprising that he’s reputedly
most surprising that he’s reputedly
most surprising that he’s reputedly based on is the famed American lecturer
based on is the famed American lecturer
based on is the famed American lecturer and eventual rediscover of Machu Picchu
and eventual rediscover of Machu Picchu
and eventual rediscover of Machu Picchu Hiram Bingham although George Lucas and
Hiram Bingham although George Lucas and
Hiram Bingham although George Lucas and Steven Spielberg took great liberties in
Steven Spielberg took great liberties in
Steven Spielberg took great liberties in fleshing out Indiana Jones’s adventures
fleshing out Indiana Jones’s adventures
fleshing out Indiana Jones’s adventures binghams ruddy fedora wearing look as
binghams ruddy fedora wearing look as
binghams ruddy fedora wearing look as well as his love for the sanctity of
well as his love for the sanctity of
well as his love for the sanctity of exploration made him a perfect candidate
exploration made him a perfect candidate
exploration made him a perfect candidate for the indy we know so well though we
for the indy we know so well though we
for the indy we know so well though we highly doubt fame have ever got launched
highly doubt fame have ever got launched
highly doubt fame have ever got launched from a nuclear blast site while hiding
from a nuclear blast site while hiding
from a nuclear blast site while hiding inside a fridge
number nine Ursula from The Little
number nine Ursula from The Little Mermaid based on divine I can’t stand it
Mermaid based on divine I can’t stand it
Mermaid based on divine I can’t stand it it’s too easy a Disney character
it’s too easy a Disney character
it’s too easy a Disney character associated with 1970s exploitation
associated with 1970s exploitation
associated with 1970s exploitation cinema preposterous digging deep into
cinema preposterous digging deep into
cinema preposterous digging deep into the mythology of character origins film
the mythology of character origins film
the mythology of character origins film buffs have happily drawn comparisons
buffs have happily drawn comparisons
buffs have happily drawn comparisons between the curvy and malicious sea
between the curvy and malicious sea
between the curvy and malicious sea witch Ursula from The Little Mermaid
witch Ursula from The Little Mermaid
witch Ursula from The Little Mermaid with controversial cross-dressing drag
with controversial cross-dressing drag
with controversial cross-dressing drag queen divine I watched that embarrassed
queen divine I watched that embarrassed
queen divine I watched that embarrassed to be white the most noticeable
to be white the most noticeable
to be white the most noticeable resemblances can be found in John Waters
resemblances can be found in John Waters
resemblances can be found in John Waters 1988 musical comedy hairspray but any
1988 musical comedy hairspray but any
1988 musical comedy hairspray but any one of Divine’s shocking roles is fair
one of Divine’s shocking roles is fair
one of Divine’s shocking roles is fair game enough to capture Ursula’s
game enough to capture Ursula’s
game enough to capture Ursula’s aggressively sultry character whether
aggressively sultry character whether
aggressively sultry character whether it’s the form-fitting gown the sassy
it’s the form-fitting gown the sassy
it’s the form-fitting gown the sassy voice or the trademark sashay
voice or the trademark sashay
voice or the trademark sashay reminiscent of the glam Queen it’s a
reminiscent of the glam Queen it’s a
reminiscent of the glam Queen it’s a clear reminder that Disney doesn’t
clear reminder that Disney doesn’t
clear reminder that Disney doesn’t underestimate the importance of body
underestimate the importance of body
underestimate the importance of body language when it comes to thinking up
language when it comes to thinking up
language when it comes to thinking up their characters
number eight Johnny Fontane from The
number eight Johnny Fontane from The Godfather
Godfather
Godfather based on Frank Sinatra being associated
based on Frank Sinatra being associated
based on Frank Sinatra being associated with the Mafia is never really a good
with the Mafia is never really a good
with the Mafia is never really a good thing especially when it’s made apparent
thing especially when it’s made apparent
thing especially when it’s made apparent that said connections helped further
that said connections helped further
that said connections helped further your career such was the case for Frank
your career such was the case for Frank
your career such was the case for Frank Sinatra when the portrayal of Mafia
Sinatra when the portrayal of Mafia
Sinatra when the portrayal of Mafia owned character Johnny Fontaine in The
owned character Johnny Fontaine in The
owned character Johnny Fontaine in The Godfather seemed to hit a little too
Godfather seemed to hit a little too
Godfather seemed to hit a little too close to home if I had this part in the
close to home if I had this part in the
close to home if I had this part in the picture you know it puts me right back
picture you know it puts me right back
picture you know it puts me right back up on top again
up on top again
up on top again well Godfather author and screenwriter
well Godfather author and screenwriter
well Godfather author and screenwriter Mario Puzo never stated that Fontaine
Mario Puzo never stated that Fontaine
Mario Puzo never stated that Fontaine was based on old blue eyes the parallels
was based on old blue eyes the parallels
was based on old blue eyes the parallels between the mob-related backstory of the
between the mob-related backstory of the
between the mob-related backstory of the fictional crooners career and Sinatra’s
fictional crooners career and Sinatra’s
fictional crooners career and Sinatra’s seemed very obvious
seemed very obvious
seemed very obvious this was enough for Sinatra to attempt a
this was enough for Sinatra to attempt a
this was enough for Sinatra to attempt a shutdown of production with backing from
shutdown of production with backing from
shutdown of production with backing from the italian-american civil rights League
the italian-american civil rights League
the italian-american civil rights League as well as to give veiled threats to
as well as to give veiled threats to
as well as to give veiled threats to break Mario Puzo’s legs I’ll do anything
break Mario Puzo’s legs I’ll do anything
break Mario Puzo’s legs I’ll do anything for my godfather you know that number
for my godfather you know that number
for my godfather you know that number seven lieutenant Vincent Hanna and Neel
seven lieutenant Vincent Hanna and Neel
seven lieutenant Vincent Hanna and Neel McCauley from heat based on detective
McCauley from heat based on detective
McCauley from heat based on detective Chuck Adamson and Neel McCauley don’t
Chuck Adamson and Neel McCauley don’t
Chuck Adamson and Neel McCauley don’t let yourself get attached to anything
let yourself get attached to anything
let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30
you are not willing to walk out on in 30
you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around
seconds flat if you feel the heat around
seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner 1995’s epic team-up of Robert
the corner 1995’s epic team-up of Robert
the corner 1995’s epic team-up of Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in the movie heat
De Niro and Al Pacino in the movie heat
De Niro and Al Pacino in the movie heat a daring heist thriller featuring
a daring heist thriller featuring
a daring heist thriller featuring intense action sequences almost seemed
intense action sequences almost seemed
intense action sequences almost seemed too good to be true however more charm
too good to be true however more charm
too good to be true however more charm lay in the intricate handling of the
lay in the intricate handling of the
lay in the intricate handling of the respective roles of villain and hero for
respective roles of villain and hero for
respective roles of villain and hero for the two oscar-winning actors the film is
the two oscar-winning actors the film is
the two oscar-winning actors the film is loosely based on a 1960s investigation
loosely based on a 1960s investigation
loosely based on a 1960s investigation and pursuit of a real-life thief named
and pursuit of a real-life thief named
and pursuit of a real-life thief named Neel McCauley by Chicago PD officer
Neel McCauley by Chicago PD officer
Neel McCauley by Chicago PD officer Chuck Adamson many details from the film
Chuck Adamson many details from the film
Chuck Adamson many details from the film including the famous coffee shop scene
including the famous coffee shop scene
including the famous coffee shop scene featuring the two iconic characters
featuring the two iconic characters
featuring the two iconic characters really happened and was added in
really happened and was added in
really happened and was added in courtesy of Adamson who served as a
courtesy of Adamson who served as a
courtesy of Adamson who served as a technical adviser to director Michael
technical adviser to director Michael
technical adviser to director Michael Mann during heats production where do
Mann during heats production where do
Mann during heats production where do you say I buy you a cup of coffee
you say I buy you a cup of coffee
you say I buy you a cup of coffee number six Travis Bickle from taxi
number six Travis Bickle from taxi
number six Travis Bickle from taxi driver based on Arthur Bremer
driver based on Arthur Bremer
driver based on Arthur Bremer while taxi driver has the legacy of
while taxi driver has the legacy of
while taxi driver has the legacy of being one of the influences for the
being one of the influences for the
being one of the influences for the assassination attempt of President
assassination attempt of President
assassination attempt of President Ronald Reagan it’s less widely known
Ronald Reagan it’s less widely known
Ronald Reagan it’s less widely known that the film’s antihero Travis Bickle
that the film’s antihero Travis Bickle
that the film’s antihero Travis Bickle is based off another would-be assassin
is based off another would-be assassin
is based off another would-be assassin Arthur Bremer an unemployed criminal
Arthur Bremer an unemployed criminal
Arthur Bremer an unemployed criminal with severe issues shot and wounded
with severe issues shot and wounded
with severe issues shot and wounded Democratic presidential candidate George
Democratic presidential candidate George
Democratic presidential candidate George Wallace after a failed attempt at
Wallace after a failed attempt at
Wallace after a failed attempt at assassinating Richard Nixon in 1972
assassinating Richard Nixon in 1972
assassinating Richard Nixon in 1972 screenwriter Paul Schrader didn’t
screenwriter Paul Schrader didn’t
screenwriter Paul Schrader didn’t deviate too far from Bremer in his
deviate too far from Bremer in his
deviate too far from Bremer in his characterization of the taxi driving
characterization of the taxi driving
characterization of the taxi driving vigilante similarities include Bremer’s
vigilante similarities include Bremer’s
vigilante similarities include Bremer’s relationship with an underage girl
relationship with an underage girl
relationship with an underage girl pornographic obsessions as well as an
pornographic obsessions as well as an
pornographic obsessions as well as an abnormal haircut that inspired Bickle’s
abnormal haircut that inspired Bickle’s
abnormal haircut that inspired Bickle’s eventual mohawk look at the film’s
eventual mohawk look at the film’s
eventual mohawk look at the film’s conclusion number 5 Francis Frank
conclusion number 5 Francis Frank
conclusion number 5 Francis Frank Costello from the departed based on
Costello from the departed based on
Costello from the departed based on James Whitey Bulger on people on and
James Whitey Bulger on people on and
James Whitey Bulger on people on and dying for minami main aside from sharing
dying for minami main aside from sharing
dying for minami main aside from sharing a name with a famed Italian American
a name with a famed Italian American
a name with a famed Italian American Mafia don the departed’s Frank Costello
Mafia don the departed’s Frank Costello
Mafia don the departed’s Frank Costello played too terrifying perfection by Jack
played too terrifying perfection by Jack
played too terrifying perfection by Jack Nicholson is a fictional portrayal of
Nicholson is a fictional portrayal of
Nicholson is a fictional portrayal of famed Irish American gangster Whitey
famed Irish American gangster Whitey
famed Irish American gangster Whitey Bulger I ask the questions I got the
Bulger I ask the questions I got the
Bulger I ask the questions I got the answers for money known for his short
answers for money known for his short
answers for money known for his short temper and violent retribution to those
temper and violent retribution to those
temper and violent retribution to those who cross him Bulger ruled Boston with
who cross him Bulger ruled Boston with
who cross him Bulger ruled Boston with an iron fist
an iron fist
an iron fist using his politically allied brother and
using his politically allied brother and
using his politically allied brother and connections with the FBI to gain higher
connections with the FBI to gain higher
connections with the FBI to gain higher clout as well as become a working-class
clout as well as become a working-class
clout as well as become a working-class icon in his neighborhood bottom line is
icon in his neighborhood bottom line is
icon in his neighborhood bottom line is Bulger has to be caught and the sooner
Bulger has to be caught and the sooner
Bulger has to be caught and the sooner the better this has gone on long enough
the better this has gone on long enough
the better this has gone on long enough director Martin Scorsese fused william
director Martin Scorsese fused william
director Martin Scorsese fused william monahan script with many similarities to
monahan script with many similarities to
monahan script with many similarities to the Beantown gang boss most notably his
the Beantown gang boss most notably his
the Beantown gang boss most notably his alliance with corrupt law officials and
alliance with corrupt law officials and
alliance with corrupt law officials and the feds don’t laugh this ain’t reality
the feds don’t laugh this ain’t reality
the feds don’t laugh this ain’t reality TV number 4 Dirty Harry Callahan from
TV number 4 Dirty Harry Callahan from
TV number 4 Dirty Harry Callahan from the Dirty Harry franchise based on Dave
the Dirty Harry franchise based on Dave
the Dirty Harry franchise based on Dave toski you’ve got to ask yourself one
toski you’ve got to ask yourself one
toski you’ve got to ask yourself one question do I feel like
question do I feel like
question do I feel like well do you punk yes one of Americans
well do you punk yes one of Americans
well do you punk yes one of Americans most badass movie cops is based on a
most badass movie cops is based on a
most badass movie cops is based on a real man renowned in San Francisco even
real man renowned in San Francisco even
real man renowned in San Francisco even before the release of the first Dirty
before the release of the first Dirty
before the release of the first Dirty Harry film detective Dave toski received
Harry film detective Dave toski received
Harry film detective Dave toski received national attention for his investigation
national attention for his investigation
national attention for his investigation into the Zodiac killer case from the
into the Zodiac killer case from the
into the Zodiac killer case from the late 60s to the early 70s while he was
late 60s to the early 70s while he was
late 60s to the early 70s while he was heavily scrutinized for the unsolved
heavily scrutinized for the unsolved
heavily scrutinized for the unsolved cases film producers saw an image of a
cases film producers saw an image of a
cases film producers saw an image of a worthwhile investigator in toski
worthwhile investigator in toski
worthwhile investigator in toski inspiring them to base their unorthodox
inspiring them to base their unorthodox
inspiring them to base their unorthodox Magnum wielding 1971 antihero Dirty
Magnum wielding 1971 antihero Dirty
Magnum wielding 1971 antihero Dirty Harry Callahan on him where’s the girl
Harry Callahan on him where’s the girl
Harry Callahan on him where’s the girl despite Dirty Harry’s obvious nod to
despite Dirty Harry’s obvious nod to
despite Dirty Harry’s obvious nod to toski the real-life detectives use of
toski the real-life detectives use of
toski the real-life detectives use of quick draw pistol holsters was first
quick draw pistol holsters was first
quick draw pistol holsters was first mimicked by Steve McQueen three years
mimicked by Steve McQueen three years
mimicked by Steve McQueen three years earlier in the film bullet is so
earlier in the film bullet is so
earlier in the film bullet is so whatever you want but don’t sell it here
whatever you want but don’t sell it here
whatever you want but don’t sell it here tonight
tonight
tonight number three Jeffrey the dude Lebowski
number three Jeffrey the dude Lebowski
number three Jeffrey the dude Lebowski from The Big Lebowski based on chef Dowd
from The Big Lebowski based on chef Dowd
from The Big Lebowski based on chef Dowd you got the wrong guy I’m the dude man
you got the wrong guy I’m the dude man
you got the wrong guy I’m the dude man ever watch The Big Lebowski and mused
ever watch The Big Lebowski and mused
ever watch The Big Lebowski and mused aloud I think I know someone like the
aloud I think I know someone like the
aloud I think I know someone like the dude and as a matter of fact so did the
dude and as a matter of fact so did the
dude and as a matter of fact so did the Coen brothers when they came up with his
Coen brothers when they came up with his
Coen brothers when they came up with his wacky bowling obsessed stoner turned
wacky bowling obsessed stoner turned
wacky bowling obsessed stoner turned dimwit detective in their 1998 cult
dimwit detective in their 1998 cult
dimwit detective in their 1998 cult classic that or his dude nasur dude er
classic that or his dude nasur dude er
classic that or his dude nasur dude er or you know el duderino if you’re not
or you know el duderino if you’re not
or you know el duderino if you’re not into the whole brevity thing the dudes
into the whole brevity thing the dudes
into the whole brevity thing the dudes nickname and political resume we’re both
nickname and political resume we’re both
nickname and political resume we’re both appropriated from film producer and
appropriated from film producer and
appropriated from film producer and former member of the Seattle seven Jeff
former member of the Seattle seven Jeff
former member of the Seattle seven Jeff tout whose energetic and peculiar
tout whose energetic and peculiar
tout whose energetic and peculiar lifestyle inspired the character that
lifestyle inspired the character that
lifestyle inspired the character that would go on to launch a cult phenomenon
would go on to launch a cult phenomenon
would go on to launch a cult phenomenon yeah maybe they don’t take me seriously
yeah maybe they don’t take me seriously
yeah maybe they don’t take me seriously you know oh and why would you take
you know oh and why would you take
you know oh and why would you take somebody seriously who doesn’t know what
somebody seriously who doesn’t know what
somebody seriously who doesn’t know what day it is
day it is
day it is among other past issues have real like
among other past issues have real like
among other past issues have real like people in the big lebowski is the dude’s
people in the big lebowski is the dude’s
people in the big lebowski is the dude’s short-tempered buddy Walter Sobchak who
short-tempered buddy Walter Sobchak who
short-tempered buddy Walter Sobchak who is based on movie director John Milius
is based on movie director John Milius
is based on movie director John Milius you had to at some point in it be
you had to at some point in it be
you had to at some point in it be convinced that you had lost your sanity
convinced that you had lost your sanity
convinced that you had lost your sanity otherwise you weren’t really directing
otherwise you weren’t really directing
otherwise you weren’t really directing number two Apollo Creed from the rocky
number two Apollo Creed from the rocky
number two Apollo Creed from the rocky franchise based on Muhammad Ali
[Applause]
[Applause] the eccentric Apollo Creed’s served as
the eccentric Apollo Creed’s served as
the eccentric Apollo Creed’s served as the main opponent for underdog Rocky
the main opponent for underdog Rocky
the main opponent for underdog Rocky Balboa in the first two Rocky movies the
Balboa in the first two Rocky movies the
Balboa in the first two Rocky movies the epic faceoff depicted in the films were
epic faceoff depicted in the films were
epic faceoff depicted in the films were actually fictional retellings of an
actually fictional retellings of an
actually fictional retellings of an actual fight between world champion
actual fight between world champion
actual fight between world champion boxer Muhammad Ali and the relatively
boxer Muhammad Ali and the relatively
boxer Muhammad Ali and the relatively unknown brawler Chuck Wepner actor Karl
unknown brawler Chuck Wepner actor Karl
unknown brawler Chuck Wepner actor Karl weathers expertly adapted Ali’s unique
weathers expertly adapted Ali’s unique
weathers expertly adapted Ali’s unique mannerisms and ability to provoke his
mannerisms and ability to provoke his
mannerisms and ability to provoke his opponents through rhythmic trash talk
opponents through rhythmic trash talk
opponents through rhythmic trash talk and while Rocky Balboa himself is an
and while Rocky Balboa himself is an
and while Rocky Balboa himself is an amalgamation of both Chuck Wepner and
amalgamation of both Chuck Wepner and
amalgamation of both Chuck Wepner and lifelong Ally rival Joe Frazier it’s
lifelong Ally rival Joe Frazier it’s
lifelong Ally rival Joe Frazier it’s fairly obvious that weathers omage to
fairly obvious that weathers omage to
fairly obvious that weathers omage to the people’s champion was one for the
the people’s champion was one for the
the people’s champion was one for the books
before we unveil our top pick here are a
before we unveil our top pick here are a few honorable mentions you little son of
few honorable mentions you little son of
few honorable mentions you little son of a bitch let this be a reminder to you
a bitch let this be a reminder to you
a bitch let this be a reminder to you all that this organization will not
all that this organization will not
all that this organization will not tolerate failure
[Music]
[Music] number one Norman Bates from psycho
number one Norman Bates from psycho
number one Norman Bates from psycho based on Ed Gein we all go a little mad
based on Ed Gein we all go a little mad
based on Ed Gein we all go a little mad sometimes sometimes a villain comes
sometimes sometimes a villain comes
sometimes sometimes a villain comes along that is so creepy you hoped they
along that is so creepy you hoped they
along that is so creepy you hoped they could never really exist film goers in
could never really exist film goers in
could never really exist film goers in 1960 must have been thinking this upon
1960 must have been thinking this upon
1960 must have been thinking this upon seeing Alfred Hitchcock’s controversial
seeing Alfred Hitchcock’s controversial
seeing Alfred Hitchcock’s controversial psycho in which he introduced the cinema
psycho in which he introduced the cinema
psycho in which he introduced the cinema goers to Norman Bates
goers to Norman Bates
goers to Norman Bates a lonely serial killer with severe mommy
a lonely serial killer with severe mommy
a lonely serial killer with severe mommy issues who enjoy stabbing women in
issues who enjoy stabbing women in
issues who enjoy stabbing women in showers
shockingly enough Bates was based on
shockingly enough Bates was based on notorious real-life killer
notorious real-life killer
notorious real-life killer Ed Gein along with his complex
Ed Gein along with his complex
Ed Gein along with his complex psychological problems he killed at
psychological problems he killed at
psychological problems he killed at least two women and robbed graves
least two women and robbed graves
least two women and robbed graves using the skins to create a woman suit
using the skins to create a woman suit
using the skins to create a woman suit following the death of his mother
following the death of his mother
following the death of his mother something about his eyes that bothered
something about his eyes that bothered
something about his eyes that bothered me I didn’t feel like he was a person I
me I didn’t feel like he was a person I
me I didn’t feel like he was a person I would trust Dean would later serve as an
would trust Dean would later serve as an
would trust Dean would later serve as an inspiration for other chilling
inspiration for other chilling
inspiration for other chilling fictitious serial killers including
fictitious serial killers including
fictitious serial killers including Leatherface and Buffalo Bill it rubs the
Leatherface and Buffalo Bill it rubs the
Leatherface and Buffalo Bill it rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the
lotion on its skin or else it gets the
lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again do you agree with our picks
hose again do you agree with our picks
hose again do you agree with our picks check out these other great clips from
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