# TV or movie characters not known by their character names. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 7, 2005, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944 "2005-08-07T02:44:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/121 "2005-08-11T00:55:17Z")
> [@Art Vandelay](#): > > Okay, this very famous personage was known by _two_ nicknames. When a certain character asked his name, he answered **noonmai**. > > And also, who were… > > - “Courteous Cliff”? Cliff from Cheers claimed this was his nickname at school. > [@](#): > > - “the Dancing Doctor”? Dr Crusher, Starfleet Academy tapdancing champion. 1. The military know me as Paul Metcalfe, how am I better known? 2. The military know me as Gyles Boothroyd, how am I better known? 3. The military know me as John Smith, although this may not be my real name. They approve of me, because they know that I am for man. How am I better known? ---
**Author:** ![audit1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@audit1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audit1)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/122 "2005-08-11T02:15:51Z")
[ 1. The military know me as Paul Metcalfe, how am I better known? 2. The military know me as Gyles Boothroyd, how am I better known? 3. The military know me as John Smith, although this may not be my real name. They approve of me, because they know that I am for man. How am I better known? [/QUOTE] 1. Your are Captain Scarlet 2, You are Q 1. you are Docto WHO Has anyone got **Elsie Ethrington yet.** come on it is a classic ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/123 "2005-08-11T02:32:35Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > How about Reinhold Elmore? Assistant District Attorney Dan Fielding, from _Night Court_. ---
**Author:** ![Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/278dde/32.png) [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/124 "2005-08-11T02:43:25Z")
Benjamin Franklin Pierce ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/125 "2005-08-11T03:08:40Z")
> [@Gilligan](#): > > Correct, **Thalion**. > > **astorian** , from your list: > Jerome Kuhner-Chaim > > WAG - could this be Stretch Cunningham? I know that Archie Bunker was surprised to find out Stretch was Jewish; was this given as his name at the funeral? Just so- well done! ---
**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:** [August 11, 2005, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/126 "2005-08-11T03:32:35Z")
> [@](#): > > Benjamin Franklin Pierce Hawkeye, from **M_A_S\*H** , of course. I was very surprised , on visiting the Sanders Theater at Harvard University, to find among the memorials to Wa dead in the lobby a Benjamin Franklin Pierce. I wonder if that’s where Richard Hooker got the name from. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/127 "2005-08-11T12:00:43Z")
Doc Zimmerman ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/128 "2005-08-11T18:59:56Z")
In my homeland I am known as Vlad Tepes. You probably know me better by my title. Who am I? ---
**Author:** ![mkl12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@mkl12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mkl12)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/129 "2005-08-11T19:09:26Z")
> [@Peter Morris](#): > > In my homeland I am known as Vlad Tepes. You probably know me better by my title. Who am I? Dracula That reminds me. Who are Liam and William? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/130 "2005-08-11T19:11:02Z")
> [@Peter Morris](#): > > In my homeland I am known as Vlad Tepes. You probably know me better by my title. Who am I? Too easy. Vlad III, Voidvod of Wallachia. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/131 "2005-08-11T19:12:20Z")
> [@mkl12](#): > > Dracula > > That reminds me. Who are Liam and William? Angel and Spike. Of course, “Liam” is just a diminutive of “William,” so they were both William. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/132 "2005-08-11T22:21:44Z")
Hoban Washburn ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/133 "2005-08-11T22:31:03Z")
> [@Art Vandelay](#): > > Okay, this very famous personage was known by _two_ nicknames. When a certain character asked his name, he answered **noonmai**. > > And also, who were… > > - “Jackanapes”? > > - “Read”? (as in “read a book” - hint: he’s already been mentioned in this thread.) > > - “Bobby Boogie”? (also already mentioned in this thread) Peter Morris correctly guessed the identities of Courteous Cliff & the Dancing Doctor (in post #121.) I’m reposting the others so as they don’t get lost in the shuffle. (Mind you, I’m actually surprised no one has figured out the first one!) ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/134 "2005-08-12T02:51:18Z")
How about Sam Dracula? ---
**Author:** ![Tracy\_Lord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/135 "2005-08-12T03:33:21Z")
> [@iamthewalrus(:3=](#): > > Hoban Washburn Wash from _Firefly_! C.G.B Spender. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/136 "2005-08-12T03:40:04Z")
> [@Tracy Lord](#): > > C.G.B Spender. The Cigarette Smoking Man ---
**Author:** ![Thalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f475e1/32.png) [@Thalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thalion)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/137 "2005-08-12T03:49:50Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Doc Zimmerman Is that the holographic doctor from _ST: Voyager_? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/138 "2005-08-12T11:44:11Z")
Sanders ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/139 "2005-08-12T14:25:01Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Chuck Connors plaed baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers In 1948, but only for 1 game. He played 57 at first base for the 1951 Cubs (stats). He had been noticed by Hollywood talent scouts while playing for the Cubs top minor league team, the Los Angeles Angels. Earlier, he played forward for the 1946-47 Boston Celtics, their first year of existence, and legend has it he broke the backboard in shooting practice before the Celtics’ first game at Boston Arena. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944/140 "2005-08-12T14:55:10Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > In 1948, but only for 1 game. He played 57 at first base for the 1951 Cubs (stats). He had been noticed by Hollywood talent scouts while playing for the Cubs top minor league team, the Los Angeles Angels. > > Earlier, he played forward for the 1946-47 Boston Celtics, their first year of existence, and legend has it he broke the backboard in shooting practice before the Celtics’ first game at Boston Arena. Please check post #45. Zeldar didn’t post that Connors “plaed” for Brooklyn, but rather asked who he played for. Another Doper posted that answer. Just sayin’ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-or-movie-characters-not-known-by-their-character-names/315944.md?page=8)