There are many TV characters that are based on real-life people. This isn’t all surprising considering writers and creators are often inspired by people. We all inspire each other.
What may be surprising, however, is that the similarities stop at the character and the real person sharing the same name.
To compile this list of the best fictional characters based on real people, 24/7 Tempo reviewed websites like Oxford Home Schooling and the History Channel.
So, are you ready to discover some incredible fictional characters based on real people? This list may surprise you. (Click here for the best movies based on real events or people.)
Zorro
It can be hard to imagine that Zorro, a classic masked vigilante character, is a real person. Johnston McCulley created this character in 1919. He wears a mask, hiding from his enemies, and leaves his mark by slicing a ‘Z’ in the chest of his victims. So, who is this dashing character based on?
There are a few theories as to who Zorro was based on. Some people believe that Zorro was likely born as a character inspired by Salomon Pico. Salomon Pico, like Zorro, was a mysterious man born near San Juan Bautista in 1821.
Pico was brutal. After the loss of his ranch, he allegedly hunted Americans in southern California, robbing and killing them. He was also known for cutting off his victim’s ears. Cruel, right?
Another theory though points to Zorro’s inspiration being Joaquin Murrieta, also known as the Mexican Robin Hood.
Piper Chapman
Next on our list of characters inspired by real people is Piper Chapman from Orange is the New Black. This popular television series stole the attention of millions of people beginning in 2013. Interestingly though, this series was inspired by the memoir Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison.
There are a lot of differences though between the memoir and the TV series. For instance, the name of the author is Piper Kerman, not Chapman. She does though fall in love with a woman in an international drug ring. The woman’s name changes from Nora to Alex.
In the TV series, Piper has a lot of problems with her fiancé, Larry. He eventually leaves her. This though couldn’t be further from the truth. The real life Piper is happily married to Larry. He stayed by her the entire time of her sentencing.
Moby Dick
Yup, you read that right. Moby Dick, the most famous sperm whale in fiction, may have been based on a real whale that caused havoc around the same time. Herman Melville created Moby Dick for his 1851 novel Moby-Dick. Melville drew inspiration from Mocha Dick.
Mocha Dick was a large albino male sperm whale spotted in the Pacific Ocean during the early 19th century. Texts were written about this unique whale including the “Mocha Dick: Or The White Whale of the Pacific: A Leaf from a Manuscript Journal”. He was known for attacking ships and whalers. Not only was he easy to spot because of his unique coloration, but also due to his rugged appearance. He was reported to have encountered ships before he died.
Dracula
An incredibly popular horror character is Dracula. Dracula is one of many fictional movie characters based on real people. Technically though, Dracula isn’t just a movie character, but also a popular character published in an 1897 novel. Depending on the film, novel, and TV series, Dracula’s origin and personality change. Still, he’s always a hungry vampire.
Vampires though aren’t real (that we know of). So, who is this paranormal character based on? Vlad the Impaler inspired the story of Dracula. He was a brutal leader known for his cruel torture. He likely killed over 80,000 people.
Betty Boop
Even animated characters are drawn from inspiration. This also includes Betty Boop. Betty Boop is a cartoon character that first appeared in 1930 on Dizzy Dishes. Betty Boop is known for having a large head, long legs, and bright red lips. With the help of animators, Max Fleischer created and designed Betty Boop. Originally, the character though was a dog!
A few people may have inspired the creators of Betty Boop. One common thought is that Esther Jones is the real Betty Boop. Esther Jones was an American singer and child entertainer of the late 1920s. She performed under the stage name, Baby Esther.
Helen Kane though may have also inspired Betty Boop. She even tried to sue Fleischer Studios, but failed as she based some of her style and singing on Baby Esther.
Sherlock Holmes
Contrary to popular belief, Sherlock Holmes was never a real person. Instead, Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character. Arthur Conan Doyle created this character in the late 1800s. The detective’s first appearance was in an 1887 novel, A Study in Scarlet. Since his creation, the character has been featured in films, TV series, shorts, and more.
Doyle wrote Sherlock based on Dr. Joseph Bell, a professor at the University of Edinburgh Medical School. Dr. Joseph Bell was an intelligent surgeon born in 1837. During his career as a professor, Dr. Joseph Bell instructed his students to pay close attention to their patients, much like a detective. So, how did Dr. Joseph Bell and Arthur Conan Doyle know each other? They met in 1877, while Doyle worked as Bell’s clerk at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Norman Bates
Before Normal Bates was introduced in a television series, he was the main character of the novel and film, Psycho. Robert Bloch wrote the horror novel Psycho in 1959.
Sadly, Norman Bates is based on a real killer, Ed Gein. This murderer was also a suspected serial killer who may have killed at least six people, although he was only convicted of two. There are a lot of similarities between the fictional character and the killer. For instance, both Ed Gein and Norman Bates had oppressive and possibly abusive mothers. They both also wore the clothes of their mothers’.
Alice From Alice in Wonderland
The fictional character of Alice from Alice in Wonderland (also known as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland) isn’t too different from the real-life inspiration. Lewis Carroll wrote this children’s novel about a daydreaming young girl who falls into a fantasy world filled with unique talking animals. Alice is a character known for her curiosity, kindness, gentleness, and trustful attitude.
Lewis Caroll wrote Alice after Alice Pleasance Liddell. The author met Alice when she was four years old and entertained her and other young children with fantastical stories on a boat outing. If they had never met, Lewis Caroll may have never written this incredibly well-loved children’s story.
John Munch
Olivia Pope
Continuing our list of characters you didn’t know were based on real people is Olivia Pope from Scandal. In the TV series, Scandal, Olivia Pope, portrayed by Kerry Washington, is a communications director at the White House. At some point in the series, she opens her own firm and works with ‘fixing’ political scandals.
Shonda Rhimes created this unique character loosely based on Judy Smith. Judy Smith is an American crisis manager, lawyer, and author. She’s been working in the public service since 1983. Like Olivia Pope, Judy Smith also worked in the white house, but as Special Assistant and Deputy Press Secretary to President George H. W. Bush.
Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones has graced our scenes since 1981. The first film in this massive series was Raiders of the Lost Ark, created by George Lucas. The start though of Indiana Jones was The Adventures of Indiana Smith. This series and adventure-loving character is so beloved that there are TV series, films, comics, and even theme park attractions themed after Indiana Jones.
Now that we know a little more about Indiana Jones, who is he based on? This wonderful character may have been based on real-life explorer Roy Chapman Andrews. However, even though Roy experienced incredible adventures, no one has confirmed a single person as inspiration.
Honestly, Roy Chapman could get an entire article written about him. Not only did he become the director of the American Museum of Natural History, but he was also part of the team that found dinosaur fossil eggs.
Severus Snape
The author of Harry Potter, J. K. Rowling, wrote one of the most popular children’s series in the world. Severus Snape has always been one of the most eye-catching characters in the books. He held anger, hurt, and confusion in his heart, especially towards Harry Potter. This complex character was based on someone, but who?
J.K. Rowling was inspired by John Nettleship when creating the character Severus Snape. John Nettleship was a British schoolteacher. He was her teacher. Interestingly, when Nettelship first found out that Severus Snape was based on him, he felt a little offended. However, this didn’t last long as he admitted he could be grumpy, short-tempered, and gloomy.
Moe Syzlack
Another cartoon character to make our list is Moe Syzlack from the symptoms. He was portrayed by Hank Azaria. This recurring character is the bartender of Moe’s Tavern and first appeared on the show in the first episode. This grumpy character wasn’t pulled out of thin air.
He was actually designed by Dan Haskett. The creator of the show, Matt Groening based Moe Syzlack on Louis “Red” Deutsch. He was known for constantly being on the end of phone call pranks. During the 1970s, John Elmo and Jim Davidson would call the Tube Bar and ask ‘Red’ to speak to people who didn’t exist. The names were often puns or offensive phrases.
Popeye
Popeye is also a character based on a real person. This spinach-loving sailor has been around since 1929. When he eats spinach, he grows a lot of muscles. Long before Robin Williams portrayed this tough, but sweet character, Popeye was in two comic strips, Thimble Theatre and Popeye.
While the inspiration for this character doesn’t immediately grow muscles after eating spinach, he’s based on Frank “Rocky” Fiegel. This tough Polish man lived in Chester, Illinois, the same town as the creator of Popeye, E. C. Segar. He was known to have inspired the look of the Popeye character, down to the strong chin and the use of a smoking pipe.
Long John Silver
Last but not least is Long John Silver, an antagonist in Treasure Island. He was first introduced in the 1883 novel, Treasure Island. Long John Silver has a missing leg and a parrot companion. This cunning pirate may have been based on a real person!
The author wrote Long John Silver because of his friend, William Henley, who only had one leg. He was also a writer and is known for his poem, Invictus. While the name might not ring a bell, you likely know this line, “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”
If pirates have caught your interest, try our article, the most infamous pirates in history.