# What a great leading character with my name! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 27, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006 "2017-10-27T18:23:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/1 "2017-10-27T18:23:15Z")
I watched 10 Cloverfield Lane last night and loved it. Mostly because the heroine wasn’t an idiot and her name was Michele. My name is Michele too. I have been wracking my brain trying to think of any other great leading characters in a movie whose name was Michele but haven’t come up with any. What leading characters are you proud to share your name with? Also, if you can think of any more Micheles (O.K., Michelle counts too), please share. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/2 "2017-10-27T18:38:07Z")
There is a serial killer with my name! ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/3 "2017-10-27T18:47:36Z")
I was always kind of bummed that the only Julie in the works of Stephen King was that awful girl Nick hooks up with in The Stand. I think he even characterizes her as being more akin to a _beetle_ than a human being. You wound me, Mr. King! Now there’s a “good” Julia in Under the Dome, but the damage is done as far as I’m concerned. Hmmph! ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/4 "2017-10-27T18:52:15Z")
Well. my first name is John, so there are countless good AND bad characters with my name. The best is probably John McClane from “Die Hard.” ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/5 "2017-10-27T19:00:52Z")
Wayne Campbell! Shwinggggg! ---
**Author:** ![2Bits](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e95f7d/32.png) [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/6 "2017-10-27T19:04:54Z")
> **[Southside with You](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southside_with_You)** > > Southside with You is a 2016 American biographical romantic drama film written, produced, and directed by Richard Tanne, in his feature film directorial debut. The film stars Parker Sawyers and Tika Sumpter as a young Barack Obama (the future 44th president of the United States), and Michelle Robinson, respectively, and focuses on the couple's first date in 1989. > The film premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, where it garnered critical acclaim. It was released theatrically in the Unite... The heroine is definitely no idiot (but spells her name with two “L’s.”) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/7 "2017-10-27T19:05:13Z")
There was an apparent twist in _Spider-Man: Homecoming_ around this name. There is a character named [Michele Gonzales](https://comicvine.gamespot.com/michele-gonzales/4005-62208/) in the Spider Man comics. There’s also a character named [Mary Jane “M.J.” Watson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Jane_Watson). In the movie, Zendaya played the character of Michelle Jones. Her character seemed to be a version of Michele Gonzales. But in one of the final scenes, she said her nickname is M.J… So now we don’t know where the film makers plan on going with the character. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/8 "2017-10-27T19:07:35Z")
Spider-Man: Homecoming is now on my must-see movie list. ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/9 "2017-10-27T20:07:44Z")
Of late, mine (Wendy) has been associated with hookers and crack whores (Sons of Anarchy, Breaking Bad, and one other recently that I can’t think of now). My parents used to tell me as a kid I was named after the Beach Boys song, and if you listen to the lyrics, that Wendy was a bit of a, shall we say, “flirt,” I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/10 "2017-10-28T06:53:29Z")
> [@Katriona](#): > > Of late, mine (Wendy) has been associated with hookers and crack whores (Sons of Anarchy, Breaking Bad, and one other recently that I can’t think of now). My parents used to tell me as a kid I was named after the Beach Boys song, and if you listen to the lyrics, that Wendy was a bit of a, shall we say, “flirt,” I guess. The most recent Wendy I know would be the wife in Ozark. Other Wendys include Peter Pan, The Shining, Southpark, and Gravity Falls. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/11 "2017-10-28T07:24:08Z")
Oooh, missed 2Bits contribution. So sorry! I did not know there was a movie of this and I’m kinda apprehensive. Since it is apparently programmed in my XX chromosomes, I love me some Rom-Coms. Serious romances usually leave me cold, however. And the subjects are soooo ripe for schmaltz. Still will put on my To See list. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/12 "2017-10-28T08:26:17Z")
My name, Paul, is rarely used for any character, let alone a lead or hero. Also true in the real world, it’s lost favour in the last few decades. The majority of leading men are named John or Jack, or sometimes Jake. J names are popular for both genders, really, with lots of Jennifers and Jessicas around too. Also reflective of the real world, of course. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/13 "2017-10-28T09:04:05Z")
IMDB lists 17 pictures in which there was a character named Michele. > **[Find - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/find/?q=michele&s=ch&exact=true&ref_=fn_ch_ex)** > > IMDb's Find Results Page I am amazed there are so few. There 200 characters listed named Michel/Michele/Michelle. I wonder how IMDB knows the spelling of a name that is only spoken in the sound track. I share the name of a NFL Hall of Fame player. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/14 "2017-10-28T09:31:36Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > IMDB lists 17 pictures in which there was a character named Michele. > > [Find - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/find?q=michele&s=ch&exact=true&ref_=fn_ch_ex) > > I am amazed there are so few. There 200 characters listed named Michel/Michele/Michelle. I wonder how IMDB knows the spelling of a name that is only spoken in the sound track. > > I share the name of a NFL Hall of Fame player. At least 5 of these aren’t even in English. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/15 "2017-10-28T10:06:09Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > There is a serial killer with my name! John Wayne Gacy? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/16 "2017-10-28T15:21:49Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **GuanoLad** : > > My name, Paul, is rarely used for any character, let alone a lead or hero. Also true in the real world, it’s lost favour in the last few decades. There’s Paul Atreides, protagonist of _Dune_, and certainly great (though not necessarily good). Myself, I’ve got an Old Testament figure and a semi-legendary American frontiersman (as in, he certainly existed, but there’s more fiction written about him than fact), but if there are any notable fictional ones, they’re not coming to mind. Which is not to say that they’re not out there, just that I mostly don’t notice them. Wait, come to think of it, there’s a Roald Dahl protagonist, too. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/17 "2017-10-28T15:32:03Z")
SF writer Alexei Panshin had a book in which one of the planets bears my last name. That’s all I got. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/18 "2017-10-28T15:59:14Z")
My first name is a bit unusual. But it does appear every so often in a movie or TV show. I’m not used to this, so I almost feel like I should respond to the actors when they call out my name. (I’ve never worked anywhere with a co-worker with a similar name. Call out, “[MY NAME],” and I would respond.) ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/19 "2017-10-28T17:18:58Z")
The awesome know it all paralegal in Suits, redhead from The 70s Show… ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006/20 "2017-10-28T17:23:54Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > There’s Paul Atreides, protagonist of _Dune_, and certainly great (though not necessarily good). > > Myself, I’ve got an Old Testament figure and a semi-legendary American frontiersman (as in, he certainly existed, but there’s more fiction written about him than fact), but if there are any notable fictional ones, they’re not coming to mind. Which is not to say that they’re not out there, just that I mostly don’t notice them. > > Wait, come to think of it, there’s a Roald Dahl protagonist, too. How about the hair care product mentioned in _O Brother, Where Art Thou_? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-great-leading-character-with-my-name/800006.md?page=2)