19 Iconic Characters You Didn't Know Were Based On Real People
Although actors and directors get most of the credit for a movie's success, the screenwriter's job is certainly one of the most important in the making of a movie.
Creating an original story with fleshed-out and believable characters is no small feat, so it's only natural that screenwriters constantly use their real-life experiences as influences, including basing some characters on real people.
We know you may be shocked, but it is actually true that such iconic characters as Severus Snape, Indiana Jones, Cosmo Kramer, and Don Draper were all based on real people! While some fans may be quick to accuse screenwriters of simply stealing the personalities of their characters without actually contributing to the development of their heroes, this is obviously not the case.
Even if J.K. Rowling did create Snape with her teacher in mind, borrowing his mannerisms and looks, she was still the one who made Snape more than a collection of facial features and general personality. Without her attention to detail, Snape would never have become such an iconic villain, so any talk of plagiarism just doesn't make sense.
It's great to know that the screenwriter used your personality as the basis for a character, but you should never forget that it's the writer who does all the heavy lifting when it comes to making the hero feel alive.