Actors Who Inspired Iconic Animated Characters

By Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck

TV and movies are filled with iconic actors with a different aura; whether it be charisma or talent, they seem to stand out from the rest. For actors to get into their roles, they usually seek inspiration from other actors or similar characters to the one they are playing. This inspiration is what allows them to get a better idea of what their character should be like.

However, some actors are so influential and iconic that they can inspire new characters on their own. Just like how actors take inspiration from characters, writers sometimes take inspiration from actors to develop their characters. This can range from appearance to personality to impact or all of the above. Some of the most well-known and loved characters were actually based on some of these famous actors.

Woody Allen

Character Inspired: Rocko from ‘Rocko’s Modern Life’

Known for his slapstick comedy acting routine and his heavy drama writing, Woody Allen is also recognized for his allegations. The actor may not be looked at with the same fondness as before, but he wrote fantastic movies such as Annie Hall and Manhattan. His work has garnered four Oscar wins, and he has an esteemed career in both writing and acting.

Many people wouldn’t correlate a connection between the loved wallaby and Allen, but Joe Murrayconfirmed the inspiration. Murray, the creator of Rocko’s Modern Life, described Rocko as “a young anthropomorphic Woody Allen, who just moved away from his home into a surrealistic adult world.” This was stated in an early character profile about the character.

Yūsaku Matsuda

Character Inspired: Spike Spiegel from ‘Cowboy Bebop’

Many fans in the West probably don’t know the name Yūsaku Matsuda, but in Japan, he was a big deal. The star was best known for his roles in action movies and on various TV shows in the 70s. Matsuda started branching out in the 80s, getting a variety of roles to highlight his versatility. His final film before his unfortunate early passing at the age of 40 was Ridley Scott‘s Black Rain as a fantastic villain and the film’s highlight.

In a collection of interviews by Steve Blum, the creator of Cowboy Bebop shared that Matsuda’s character in Tantei Monogatariinspired Spike Spiegel. The resemblance is striking, and the cool demeanor is seen in both characters. The creator shared that Matsuda’s character was in his head as soon as he saw the blueprint, leading to one of the most iconic anime characters ever. Spike wasn’t the only character inspired by Matsuda; fan favorite Aokiji from One Piece was also based on him, which will be explored later.

Josh Saviano

Character Inspired: Milhouse from ‘The Simpsons’

Best known for his role as Paul Pfeiffer, Josh Saviano starred in the top-rated show The Wonder Years. Although he didn’t star in many movies or TV shows in his short acting career, he attended Yale and later became a lawyer. The Wonder Years would later inspire a new version with the same title that ran for two seasons before being canceled in 2023.

As one of the most iconic series ever, The Simpsons is known for inspiring many other shows like Family Guy. The Simpsons have also eerily predicted the future, with fans claiming the series creators are time travelers. Despite not appearing in much, Saviano left his print on the industry as inspiration for a household character. While it is difficult to find the original source, it is confirmed that Saviano’s character, Paul Pfeiffer, was used as inspiration for Milhouse. The resemblance is uncanny, with similar hairstyles, clothing, and glasses, and they also act as the nerdy best friend of the rugrat main character.

Helen Kane

Character Inspired: Betty Boop from ‘Dizzy Dishes’

Helen Kane was an actress and singer popular during the 20s and 30s. She was most famous for her song “I Wanna Be Loved By You.” Her popularity was so immense during this time that her name was the headline for a movie she barely starred in. Kane’s signature “boop-oop-a-doop” style helped her stand out, but it also aged poorly, and she later fell out of fame. It wasn’t until the 50s that interest was rekindled with her appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Sometimes inspiration can seem more like stealing; that’s what Kane felt when she saw Betty Boop, which even had her signature style. She sued the creators, but the judge didn’t find enough substantial evidence despite glaring similarities in design, including the hair and loop earrings. The character was even voiced by multiple actresses who entered a Helen Kane impersonator contest. It wasn’t until later that the character’s initial designer admitted to using Kane as inspiration. Betty Boop nearly got a new movie from Simon Cowell but never went through. Despite the character not starring in many shows, their appearance is iconic and all over merchandise to keep it in the public’s memory.

Bunta Sugawara and Kunie Tanaka

Characters Inspired: Akainu and Kizaru from ‘One Piece’

Like Yūsaku Matsuda, Bunta Sugawara and Kunie Tanaka are famous Japanese actors who don’t get much recognition overseas. Sugawara was a model before his late rise to stardom and only established himself at 39. He won multiple Japanese acting awards and is most well known for his role in the Yakuza movie series Battles Without Honor or Humanity, which details the yakuza conflicts in Hiroshima after the bombing. Tanaka also won multiple awards, specifically for Gakko, a film featuring students with unique circumstances in night school, which also won Best Picture that year.

The legendary mangaka Eiichiro Oda is commonly known to take inspiration from characters, whether real pirates, actors, or characters. While some inspirations are more assumptions on the fan’s part, he did confirm that the original three admirals, Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji, were all inspired by the actors Sugawara, Tanaka, and Matsuda, who appeared earlier in this list. Oda confirmed this in SBS volume 57, a Q&A he includes in every One Piece volume. When asked why, he states, “…simply because I like them.” These actors aren’t the only inspirations for the Marines, as Oda kept the trend alive and based future admirals off of other legendary Japanese actors. These three are also some of the strongest characters in One Piece, giving them a legacy that Western fans can appreciate.

Peggy Lee

Character Inspired: Miss Piggy from ‘The Muppets’

Peggy Lee was an established singer and actress who started on the radio before pursuing singing and acting. Cited as the Queen of American pop music, Lee was nominated for 13 Grammys and an Academy Award. She also voiced various characters in the classic animated film, Lady and the Tramp.

Bonnie Erickson, the designer of Miss Piggy, was born in the same state as Lee and used her as inspiration for the iconic character. Initially, the Muppet was called Miss Piggy Lee, having an even closer resemblance to the star, but it was changed when The Muppets got famous and not to upset anyone. The inspiration served both as a joke and an homage, as Erickson’s mother would listen to Lee on the radio before she was famous.

Hans Conried

Character Inspired: Captain Hook from ‘Peter Pan’

Renowned actor and comedian Hans Conried bestowed his talents on TV, movies, and cartoons. Conried served in World War II until he was released to the Armed Forces Radio Network, where he remained on the radio for a couple more decades. Impressed by his versatility on stage, MGM hired him on a contract where his acting career got into full swing. Conried would later star in hits like Peter Pan and The Adventures of Rockey and Bullwinkle.

Despite its fun nature, Peter Pan was based on an upsetting story but was reworked to appeal to younger fans. Not only did Conried serve as an inspiration for Captain Hook, but he also voiced him in the movie. One of Disney‘s earliest employees, Frank Thomas, created the character and often used real-life inspiration. For Captain Hook, he chose Conried, whom he’d draw over photos of to get a sense of what the character should look like.

3Alyssa Milano

Character Inspired: Ariel from ‘The Little Mermaid’

Alyssa Milano isn’t just a well-established actress; she has also defined herself in singing, producing, and activism, specifically holding a prominent role in the MeToo movement in 2017. Milano started her career at an early age with Who’s the Boss?, where she played Samantha Micelli. She is also known for her roles in Commando and Fear and has also won Favorite Dramatic Actress in the People’s Choice Awards.

Ariel is one of the most iconic princesses in Disney, which is part of the reason The Little Mermaid got a live-action remake. During the film’s production, they used pictures of Milano as a reference for Ariel’s face; the two characters also shared the same age at the time, making their resemblance striking. In an interview on ABC, Milano talked about how she only found out about her inspiring the influential princess around a year later when they invited her to help with a “making-of special.”

2iver Phoenix

Characters Inspired: Cloud Strife/ Squall Leonhart/ Ash Lynx from ‘Final Fantasy’

Before his unfortunate passing at the age of 23, River Phoenix was a famous actor and brother to the Oscar-winning actor Joaquim Phoenix. He earned nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for his performance in Running on Empty, one of Akira Kurosawa‘s favorite movies. Phoenix is known for his roles in My Own Private Idaho and Stand By Me. It was a combination of cocaine and heroin that took Phoenix’s life on Halloween at The Viper Room, an elite Hollywood nightclub that used to be co-owned by Johnny Depp and Sal Jenco.

The popular video game character Cloud Strife is one of the most recognizable in the gaming industry. He was reportedly based on Phoenix’s likeness, despite lacking confirmation. Not only did Phoenix inspire Cloud, but he also influenced the creation of Ash Lynx, the protagonist from Banana Fish, and Squall Leonhart, another Final Fantasy character. He was featured as an inspiration for many characters because of the surprising cult following the actor had in Japan, partly because of his promotion of his movies in 1991.

1rleen Sorkin

Character Inspired: Harley Quinn from ‘Batman’

Arleen Sorkin is best known for her roles as Harley Quinn in multiple Batman adaptations and Calliope Jones in Days of Our Lives. In Days of Our Lives, she earned two Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series and won multiple Soap Opera Digest Awards. She was also married to producer and writer Christopher Lloyd, known for his work on Modern Family.

Created by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini in Batman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn would become one of the most popular superheroes and villains the world has ever seen. Sorkin wasn’t just the voice of Harley Quinn; she also served as inspiration for the creation of the character. She and Dini used to be college friends, and when he saw her crazy personality and unique voice on Days of Our Lives, he used her as the basis for the character. The specific episode mentioned is during a dream sequence where her character is dressed as a clown. The inspiration is evident, as they share the same iconic voice and have a similar attitude.