Movies with a Jewish hero or tough-guy character

[Miller]

@Raguleader

Heh, this reminds me of one of the more annoying literary “rules” I’ve come across: Chekov’s Rifle. Basically, the idea is, if Chekov walks into the room in a scene and hangs his rifle on the wall, then the rifle has to serve some purpose in the story or else it has no reason to be there.

One of my goals in life is to right a story where a guy named Chekov walks in, hangs his gun on the wall, and does absolutely nothing with it for the rest of the story. Maybe even grabbing a different gun if he needs a firearm later on.

Nitpick: Chekhov isn’t the character on the stage, he’s the guy writing the play.

[Tenebras]

@Miller

Nitpick: Chekhov isn’t the character on the stage, he’s the guy writing the play.

Well, there was a short lived show on Comedy Central in the 90’s (I think) that was about a bunch of weird Europeans doing a variety show. Anyway, they had Walter Koenig on as their guest star one episode and did a bit “Chekhov does Chekhov!” I don’t remember what play it was from, but they were doing a scene and the other cast members kept coming on as aliens while Koenig played it straight. I looked on IMDB but can’t find it listed in his credits.

Anyway, sometimes it’s both.

[Bosstone]

@Tenebras

Well, there was a short lived show on Comedy Central in the 90’s (I think) that was about a bunch of weird Europeans doing a variety show.

Viva Variety, from the same troupe that does Reno 911 now.

[Tenebras]

@Bosstone

Viva Variety, from the same troupe that does Reno 911 now.

Ah ha! Is the skinny cop on Reno 911 the guy who played the son in Viva Variety? I always feel like he looks familiar.

[Bosstone]

@Tenebras

Ah ha! Is the skinny cop on Reno 911 the guy who played the son in Viva Variety? I always feel like he looks familiar.

I don’t actually watch Reno 911, so if you mean this guy, then probably.

[Miller]

@Tenebras

Well, there was a short lived show on Comedy Central in the 90’s (I think) that was about a bunch of weird Europeans doing a variety show. Anyway, they had Walter Koenig on as their guest star one episode and did a bit “Chekhov does Chekhov!” I don’t remember what play it was from, but they were doing a scene and the other cast members kept coming on as aliens while Koenig played it straight. I looked on IMDB but can’t find it listed in his credits.

Anyway, sometimes it’s both.

Yes, Walter Koenig beating up a Klingon while quoting Uncle Vanya is one of the high points of television history.

[sweeteviljesus]

Nobody’s brought up The Believer?

Rob

[ElvisL1ves]

Raid on Entebbe has a whole load of tough Jewish guys in it.

And then there’s Gentlemen’s Agreement - oh, wait, Peck’s character was just fronting.

[Larry_Borgia]

@Sampiro

Speaking of, when’s the last time you saw a gay character who was a tough kickass kinda guy?

Captain Jack Harkness of Doctor Who and Torchwood comes to mind. Though I guess he’s bisexual. Or really trisexual, as in he’ll tri anything. As is the fashion in the 51st century, apparently

[Argent_Towers]

@sweeteviljesus

Nobody’s brought up The Believer?

Rob

A self-hating, morally corrupt Jewish Neo-Nazi? He’s an interesting character, and certainly a “tough” guy, but I don’t really think he’s what I’m looking for here.

[Tenebras]

@Miller

Yes, Walter Koenig beating up a Klingon while quoting Uncle Vanya is one of the high points of television history.

And, Walter Koenig was…

Wait for it.

Wait for it.

JEWISH!

Friends, we have a winner. According to Wikipedia, which I swear on an abridged Moby Dick I did not just go and edit for this purpose, Walter Koenig was jewish.

Koenig’s parents were Jewish immigrants from Russia; his family lived in Lithuania when they emigrated and shortened their surname from “Koenigsberg” to “Koenig”.

[Nava]

@Argent Towers

I might be mistaken but isn’t Magneto from X-Men supposed to be Jewish? I mean, he is a bad guy, but at least he’s one with principals, you know?

Xavier too.

[Sevastopol]

@Nava

Xavier too.

Name gives it away.