# Instances where unnamed characters were named after all **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 7, 2023, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254 "2023-10-07T21:10:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2023, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/41 "2023-10-16T21:03:01Z")
> [@Briny\_Deep](#): > > The Looney Tunes character now known as [Gossamer](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/77/Gossamer_restored.jpg) originally had no name in his shorts in (checks Wikipedia) 1946 and 1952, till a 1980 short gave him the name. As far as I’m concerned, the Warner Bros. cartoon canon ended long before 1980, Chuck Jones or no Chuck Jones, and I refuse to call him that. Not true – he was named “Rudolph” in one of the 1950s cartoons. For some reason they didn’t stick with that and called him “Gossamer” instead. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2023, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/42 "2023-10-16T21:04:59Z")
> [@Toxgoddess](#): > > In the long-running musical The Phantom of the Opera, the Phantom had no name. But in the (bad) novel the play and various movies of the same name are based on, which was published way back in 1923 (so I think “early on” counts), his name is Erik. 1910, actually. Although the story started being serialized in 1909. 1910 was the date of book publication > **[The Phantom of the Opera (novel)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_of_the_Opera_(novel))** > > The Phantom of the Opera (French: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra) is a novel by French author Gaston Leroux. It was first published as a serial in Le Gaulois from 23 September 1909 to 8 January 1910, and was released in volume form in late March 1910 by Pierre Lafitte. The novel is partly inspired by historical events at the Paris Opera during the nineteenth century, and by an apocryphal tale concerning the use of a former ballet pupil's skeleton in Carl Maria von Weber's 1841 production of Der Freisc Le... ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2023, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/43 "2023-10-16T21:17:12Z")
In the Monty Python _Cheese Shop_ sketch, John Cleese asks for Wensleydale cheese and it turns out the Michael Palin character’s name was Wensleydale all along. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Hz1JWzyvv8A/hqdefault.jpg "Monty Python- Cheese Shop") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz1JWzyvv8A) ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2023, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/44 "2023-10-16T21:33:49Z")
The [Nameless Detective](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nameless_Detective), featured in many fine Bill Pronzini novels (“Shackles” is a classic example) was not identified by name, though he was known to be of Italian heritage. In a few later novels he acquired the first name “Bill”. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2023, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/45 "2023-10-16T21:39:23Z")
In _Touchez pas au grisbi_, it looks like Max is using an insulting moniker when he addresses Angelo’s mook as “Fifi” - but that’s actually the character’s name. ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/46 "2023-10-17T00:52:36Z")
Quite right, of course and thank you. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/yK8ClcJJGBY/hqdefault.jpg "Looney Tunes Golden Collection S 01 E 07 B - WATER, WATER EVERY HARE |LOOcaa|") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK8ClcJJGBY&t=31) (at 31 seconds, if the time index fails) ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/47 "2023-10-17T13:44:29Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > In the Monty Python _Cheese Shop_ sketch, John Cleese asks for Wensleydale cheese and it turns out the Michael Palin character’s name was Wensleydale all along. I always assumed he was lying about that, in order to further enrage the customer. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/48 "2023-10-17T14:18:12Z")
At the beginning of the sketch, the sign outside identifies Henry Wensleydale as the owner of the shop. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/49 "2023-10-17T14:32:30Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > At the beginning of the sketch, the sign outside identifies Henry Wensleydale as the owner of the shop I don’t believe I’ve ever seen that part before! So I guess it does count. ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/50 "2023-10-17T14:47:36Z")
Comic Book Guy in The Simpsons is unnamed except for one single episode in season 16, where he is Jeff Albertson. ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/51 "2023-10-17T15:10:47Z")
I can’t believe no one’s posted this one yet… _“Please, what does it always mean, this… this ‘Junior’?”_ _“That’s his name. Henry Jones Junior.”_ _“I like ‘Indiana.’”_ _“We named the **dog** ‘Indiana.’”_ ---
**Author:** ![Honolulu\_Lulu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/87869e/32.png) [@Honolulu\_Lulu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honolulu_Lulu)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/52 "2023-10-17T15:21:13Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > I always thought it would be clever if (in _Airplane!_) Dr. Rumack’s first name was actually “Shirley” and his objection was that people were being overly familiar calling a doctor by his first name. In The Big Bang Theory, I always though it would be clever to have a UPS fellow show up with a package, “I have a package for Miss Penny (last name unintelligible)”. The last name would still be unknown to the audience because of a loud noise that occurs at the time he is reading aloud Penny’s last name. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/53 "2023-10-17T21:22:55Z")
They’ve done this for a few other _Simpsons_ characters: “Squeaky-Voiced Teen” is named Jeremy Freedman, and “Sarcastic Middle-Aged Clerk” is named Rafael. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/54 "2023-10-17T21:39:19Z")
Robert B. Parker’s character, known only as “Spenser” in the novels, is revealed in the TV series to have a first name. From the Wikipedia entry on “Spenser”: > Spenser is only referred to by his surname in the novels, but the television series has him introduce himself as “David Spenser” to a cop sitting at the diner in the fifteenth episode of season 2. I would have put that “only” after “surname,” or perhaps between “to” and “by,” but what do I know? I’m only a former proofreader. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/55 "2023-10-17T23:28:54Z")
> [@Honolulu\_Lulu](#): > > In The Big Bang Theory, I always though it would be clever to have a UPS fellow show up with a package, “I have a package for Miss Penny (last name unintelligible)”. The last name would still be unknown to the audience because of a loud noise that occurs at the time he is reading aloud Penny’s last name. That was done in **That '70s Show**. Around the fifth season, there was a flashback that included Fez meeting the gang, or at least the guys, for the first time. He says “My name is–” then a fire alarm goes off. His mouth keeps going (I’m told Wilmer Valderaama was saying “Topher Danny Ashton Laura Mila Kurt Debra”) and of course, all the audience hears is the alarm, but the others appear to have heard. “Okay, we’re just gonna call you Fez.” ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/56 "2023-10-17T23:43:19Z")
> [@Honolulu\_Lulu](#): > > In The Big Bang Theory, I always though it would be clever to have a UPS fellow show up with a package, “I have a package for Miss Penny (last name unintelligible)”. The last name would still be unknown to the audience because of a loud noise that occurs at the time he is reading aloud Penny’s last name. I never saw that episode, but I think I remember reading that they did something like that during the vows in the Leonard/Penny wedding. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/57 "2023-10-22T04:19:51Z")
**Malcolm in the Middle** famously never revealed the family’s last name, except that in the pilot episode, Francis is seen wearing a name tag with the last name Wilkerson. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/58 "2023-10-22T04:28:13Z")
Columbo famously had never revealed his first name except he totally did. At least 3 times the camera picked up his name on his ID - Frank. ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/59 "2023-10-22T17:13:42Z")
Not sure if Spocks name has been rolled out yet. Apparently posters gave it away but were decanonized?? Thanks NuTrek for making things more confusing. I’ll just go on assuming Spocks name is “U couldnt pronunc t” ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254/60 "2023-10-22T17:16:37Z")
How the hell did my friends and I NOT do that one back in the day?? We did all the others right down to “I’m not here to make friends”…“Oh you havent!! You havent!!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254.md?page=4)