# Your Favorite Coen Bros. Character **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 13, 2015, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286 "2015-12-13T01:18:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/41 "2015-12-15T18:00:28Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > I’d love to log in and vote, but some paranoid idiot at IMDB has decided that my account there is so fricken important that I have to enter my ID, my password AND a catcha all at the same time and all correctly! And if I get any part of it incorrect, I have to enter it all again each time I try! > > BANKS are not this paranoid! Well that’s just like, ya know, your opinion man. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/42 "2015-12-15T19:10:05Z")
Gale Snoats. “We released ourselves on our own personal recognizance.” ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/43 "2015-12-15T19:18:59Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > Gale Snoats. “We released ourselves on our own personal recognizance.” Sorry for the nitpick but that was Evelle’s line. Magnificent acting by two of my all-time faves. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/44 "2015-12-16T17:18:50Z")
Coen Brothers movies usually have at least one standout minor character, and I thought that was what this thread was referring to. I would have voted for the resurrectionist in _True Grit_ if that were the case. It was a tossup between The Dude and Walter Sobchak, but I went with Walter, because I did an animation exercise with his [“You want a toe?”](https://youtu.be/F_bI_FeF8Dw) line. ETA: Yes, I know I got the last name wrong in the closing credits. ---
**Author:** ![CGav8r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@CGav8r](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CGav8r)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/45 "2015-12-16T17:54:33Z")
My vote would be M. Emmet Walsh’s character from “Blood Simple” (listed as Private Detective Visser, on IMDB): Private Detective Visser: [narrating] "The world is full o’ complainers. An’ the fact is, nothin’ comes with a guarantee. Now I don’t care if you’re the pope of Rome, President of the United States or Man of the Year; somethin’ can all go wrong. Now go on ahead, y’know, complain, tell your problems to your neighbor, ask for help, ‘n watch him fly. Now, in Russia, they got it mapped out so that everyone pulls for everyone else… that’s the theory, anyway. But what I know about is Texas, an’ down here… you’re on your own. " Abby: [after shooting Visser] “I’m not afraid o’ you, Marty.” Private Detective Visser: “Well, ma’am, if I see him, I’ll sure give him the message.” ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/46 "2015-12-16T19:33:06Z")
Sidney J. Mussburger was unavailable as a choice, so I voted for Charlie Meadows. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/47 "2015-12-16T19:57:08Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > A benchmark to see how much we affect their numbers: > > Results of 2,240 votes: > > 1. The Dude 715 > The Big Lebowski (1998), Jeff Bridges > > 2. Anton Chigurh 411 > No Country for Old Men (2007), Javier Bardem > > 3. Marge Gunderson 200 > Fargo (1996), Frances McDormand Odds are that only a few of these newer votes came from SDMB voters, but here’s an update anyway: Results of 2,257 votes: 1. The Dude 719 The Big Lebowski (1998), Jeff Bridges 2. Anton Chigurh 412 No Country for Old Men (2007), Javier Bardem 3. Marge Gunderson 203 Fargo (1996), Frances McDormand 4. Walter Sobchak 194 The Big Lebowski (1998), John Goodman 5. Chad Feldheimer 89 Burn After Reading (2008), Brad Pitt 6. Everett 58 O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), George Clooney 7. H.I. McDunnough (as played by Nicolas Cage) 52 as played by Nicolas Cage in Raising Arizona (1987) 8. Carl Showalter 49 Fargo (1996), Steve Buscemi 9. Llewyn Davis 49 Inside Llewyn Davis (2013), Oscar Isaac 10. Rooster Cogburn 49 True Grit (1969), John Wayne ==================================== After the 50th post here I will try to assemble our votes (not IMDb’s) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/48 "2015-12-16T20:02:50Z")
John Wayne is doing pretty well, for having never been in a Coen Bros. movie. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/49 "2015-12-16T20:07:22Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > John Wayne is doing pretty well, for having never been in a Coen Bros. movie. Ain’t it a trip? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/50 "2015-12-16T21:24:15Z")
Okay. No point in any further delay. I’ve stripped off all but First Choices and haven’t bothered with any totals by character. You can count them for yourself if you like: ============================================ I voted for Anton Chigurh Pete Hogwallop. “Do not seek the treasure!” Everett McGill, 'cause he’s a Dapper Dan man. Jeff Bridges, in their remake. (True Grit) My vote was for the guy at #20 – “I’ll show you the life of the mind!” Possibly Tom Reagan in Miller’s Crossing. Larry Sellers The Dude Mike Yanagita! Norville Barnes from The Hudsucker Proxy Johnny Caspar from Miller’s Crossing: The Dude, I voted for Carl Showalter (“Fargo”) Tossup between Carl Showalter and Ed Crane. I’m a huge fan of Billy Bob. My favorite wasn’t on the list - Leonard Smalls. Tom Reagan, although I see my choice is not shared by many. (John Wayne???) I voted for him - because that’s the only one of those movies I’ve ever seen. Amy Archer (Jennifer Jason Leigh’s character in Hudsucker). Theodore Donald ‘Donny’ Kerabatsos. The Dude I also went for Tom Reagan, Marge Gunderson, just a quiet voice of strength and sanity and appreciation for two cent stamps. I voted for Jerry Lundegaard from Fargo because he’s a different type of bad guy. Marge Gunderson - on behalf of all the indomitable, unflappable, dogged, undeterred, and rock solid Minnesota Norwegians I knew growing up. I really liked the head CIA guy in Burn After Reading…so uncaring. Mattie Ross (both versions) is very possibly my favorite character of all time, I have to go with El Duderino, Marge Gunderson, now and forever. I’m disappointed there’s not more love for Ed Tom Bell, the sheriff in No Country for Old Men. Gale Snoats. “We released ourselves on our own personal recognizance.” . It was a tossup between The Dude and Walter Sobchak, but I went with Walter, because I did an animation exercise with his “You want a toe?” line. My vote would be M. Emmet Walsh’s character from “Blood Simple” (listed as Private Detective Visser, on IMDB): Sidney J. Mussburger was unavailable as a choice, so I voted for Charlie Meadows. ============================================ I eyeball that The Dude and Marge Gunderson are at the top of the list. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/51 "2015-12-16T21:28:00Z")
Hell of a list. I don’t know how you compare, say, The Dude to Mattie in “True Grit.” Or Marge Gunderson to Barton Fink, or Everett to Anton Chigurh. I will say this though; I think the most underrated character and performance in a Coen Brothers movie, by far, is Jerry Lundegaard as played by William H. Macy. Macy, not Frances McDormand, should have won the Oscar. He was sublime playing a character who was so contempible and awful and yet so incredibly, frighteningly REAL. Anton Chigurh was awesome but I really don’t believe Anton Chigurh exists. There are Jerry Lundegaards everywhere and I could totally believe one accidentally launching the bloodbath that is “Fargo.” ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/52 "2015-12-16T21:40:35Z")
“Smalls. Leonard Smalls. I’m a tracker.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/53 "2015-12-16T21:51:38Z")
Jeff Bridges said in an interview at the time _True Grit_ came out that he liked to imagine that the Dude was Rooster Cogburn’s great-grandson. Me too! ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2015, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/54 "2015-12-17T00:25:50Z")
Just too many to choose, but the first one to pop into my mind was Edwinna. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2015, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/55 "2015-12-17T01:07:52Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I will say this though; I think the most underrated character and performance in a Coen Brothers movie, by far, is Jerry Lundegaard as played by William H. Macy. Macy, not Frances McDormand, should have won the Oscar. He was sublime playing a character who was so contempible and awful and yet so incredibly, frighteningly REAL. Anton Chigurh was awesome but I really don’t believe Anton Chigurh exists. There are Jerry Lundegaards everywhere and I could totally believe one accidentally launching the bloodbath that is “Fargo.” On top of that, Macy was nominated as Best _Supporting_ Actor, while McDormand won for Best Actress, no “supporting” about it. This despite Macy having much more screen time than McDormand and appearing something like a full 30 minutes before she did. IIRC, there was some stiff competition for Best Actor that year, and the studio thought his chances were better in the Supporting category. I think McDormand did deserve her Oscar though. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2015, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/56 "2015-12-17T15:50:01Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > On top of that, Macy was nominated as Best _Supporting_ Actor, while McDormand won for Best Actress, no “supporting” about it. This despite Macy having much more screen time than McDormand and appearing something like a full 30 minutes before she did. IIRC, there was some stiff competition for Best Actor that year, and the studio thought his chances were better in the Supporting category. I think McDormand did deserve her Oscar though. The decision about who gets nominated for “leading” versus “supporting” roles is based not necessarily on logic, but on how the producers of the movie present the nominees. To use another very, very obvious example from a Coen Bros. movie, Hailee Steinfeld was nominated for Best _Supporting_ Actress for True Grit despite the fact that she is quite obviously the film’s lead. I would presume that decision was based on the fact that as a child actress she just had a better shot at getting the nomination than if she was put up for Best Actress. The year he was up for both Actor and Supporting Actor, Jamie Foxx was quite obviously the lead actor in both films (“Ray” and “Collateral”) but the same artist can’t be nominated twice in the same category, so they put him up for Supporting for “Collateral” because while it makes no sense, really, it would have made even less sense in the case of “Ray.” Far more confusingly, at least to me, two actresses were nominated for “The Hours” - Nicole Kidman for Actress, Julianne Moore for Supporting. But Moore is on screen far more. And sometimes studios push for an actor to be in one category and the voters put them in the other. It’s bizarre, really. Why Macy was put up for Supporting I don’t really get, but, again, I’d assume it just seemed likelier he’d get the nomination or an award they way. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2015, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/57 "2015-12-17T16:31:04Z")
Never mind - dumb post. ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2015, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/58 "2015-12-17T17:24:38Z")
Walter Sobchak ---
**Author:** ![Rather\_a\_Vicious\_Gentleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@Rather\_a\_Vicious\_Gentleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rather_a_Vicious_Gentleman)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2015, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/59 "2015-12-17T22:54:21Z")
Knox Harrington, the video artist. HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! ---
**Author:** ![jsquire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@jsquire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsquire)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286/60 "2015-12-18T00:20:03Z")
Obviously not a main character, but I thought Delmar (O Brother Where Art Thou) was the most entertainingly stupid. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-coen-bros-character/740286.md?page=4)