Is this real?

From Rocky to Hannibal Lecter, these fictional characters really existed!

Credit: Tyson Moultrie

Some of the most famous fictional characters in history feel larger than life, but what if they were actually based on real people? Some were fearless adventurers but this list also includes terrifying villains. Actual figures inspired many beloved (and infamous) characters. From Mary Poppings to horrific Hannibal Lecter, these real-life inspirations may surprise you!

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The magical nanny who floated into our hearts was inspired by Helen Morehead, the great-aunt of Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers. Can you imagine a real Mary Poppins? We would have loved to have a nanny like that!

Morehead was known for her strict but loving nature, a combination that made her both intimidating and beloved by children. While the real-life inspiration couldn’t fly with an umbrella, her firm yet caring demeanor helped shape one of literature’s most beloved characters.

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The fearless space ranger from Toy Story, Buzz Lightyear, was named after none other than astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon.

Aldrin’s groundbreaking journey in the Apollo 11 mission made him a natural fit for the daring, space-traveling toy. While Buzz Lightyear’s adventures are a bit more animated, both Buzzes share a fearless spirit and a love for exploration.

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Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones is the ultimate action hero, but his character wasn’t pulled entirely from Hollywood imagination. Can you imagine who the inspiration was?

George Lucas, the creator of Indiana Jones, in part took inspiration from Roy Chapman Andrews, a real-life explorer and naturalist. Andrews started his career as a janitor at the American Museum of Natural History before leading expeditions across Asia, collecting rare animal specimens. It was only logical his adventurous spirit helped shape Indy’s unforgettable persona.

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The beloved, spinach-chugging sailor Popeye was inspired by Frank Fiegel, a retired sailor from Chester, Illinois.

Known for his strong physique, pipe-smoking habit, and tendency to get into fights, Fiegel was a local legend. While wasn’t a fan of spinach, his tough-guy demeanor and scrappy attitude made him the perfect inspiration for cartoonist E.C. Segar.

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The infamous James Bond villain Auric Goldfinger might seem like pure fiction, (or so one hopes, right?) but his name and personality were inspired by real-life architect Ernő Goldfinger.

Ian Fleming, the author, reportedly disliked his neighbor, and when the time came to create a new antagonist, he borrowed his name and likeness for the character. While the real Goldfinger wasn’t smuggling gold or plotting world domination, he did become the subject of prank calls from 007 fans after the book’s release. Who knew architecture could be so villainous?

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Fans of Seinfeld know Cosmo Kramer as the eccentric neighbor with wild hair, unpredictable entrances, and bizarre business ideas. But did you know Kramer was based on a real person? And if so, do you think that’s good or bad news?

Kenny Kramer, the former neighbor of Seinfeld co-creator Larry David, was just as quirky as his on-screen counterpart. He frequently barged into David’s apartment unannounced, helped himself to his food, and came up with one get-rich-quick scheme after another. Bad news, right?

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Arthur Conan Doyle didn’t pull Sherlock Holmes out of thin air. The brilliant detective was inspired by Dr. Joseph Bell, a surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Conan Doyle was a student of Bell’s and was fascinated by his ability to deduce personal details about patients simply by observing them. While Bell never solved murder mysteries, his keen observational skills helped shape one of literature’s greatest minds. How amazing is that?

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Now, turning to Creepy Land, the chilling villain from The Silence of the Lambs, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, was partially inspired by Dr. Alfredo Ballí Treviño, a Mexican surgeon who committed some serious crimes against his colleague and lover.

Author Thomas Harris met Treviño while researching in prison and was fascinated by his creepy charm and intelligence. While Hannibal Lecter is also influenced by other infamous criminals, Treviño’s unsettling presence and calculated demeanor left a lasting mark on Harris’ creation.

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The disturbed protagonist of Taxi Driver, Travis Bickle, was based on Arthur Bremer, a man convicted of attempting to eliminate presidential candidate George Wallace in 1972.

Screenwriter Paul Schrader was inspired by Bremer’s diary entries and erratic behavior, combining them with elements of the song "Taxi" by Harry Chapin. The result? A deeply unsettling character whose descent into madness mirrored real-life events in eerie ways.

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Sylvester Stallone’s underdog boxing hero, Rocky Balboa, was loosely based on Rocky Marciano, a real-life heavyweight champion.

However, unlike the fictional Rocky, Marciano retired undefeated, holding the highest knockout-to-win ratio in heavyweight boxing history. His relentless fighting spirit and perseverance made him the perfect inspiration for Stallone’s beloved character.

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While Titanic’s Jack and Rose were purely fictional, one character in the film was very much real: Molly Brown, famously known as the "Unsinkable Molly Brown." Brown was an American socialite who survived the Titanic disaster and played a crucial role in helping passengers board lifeboats.

She later advocated for survivors and raised funds for those who lost everything in the tragedy. Kathy Bates’ portrayal in Titanic introduced her to a new generation, but her heroism was already legendary before Hollywood noticed.

In God We Trust: The history behind 15 American mottos!

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Mottos play an important role in our lives. Nations, states, companies, and organizations of all kinds choose them and uphold them with utmost care: they encapsulate the beliefs, values, and ideas that guide them. Let's have a look at some of our favorite American mottos, their meanings, and the history behind them!

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This We'll Defend has been the motto of the United States Army since the days of the Revolutionary War, when it was still the Continental Army. It manifests the unwavering will to defend and preserve the interests of the nation above everything else. Today, it can be seen on the official US Army flag and on the emblem of the Department of the Army.

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Latin | ā-ˌplu̇r-i-bu̇s-ˈü-nu̇m | Out of Many, One

While probably second to In God We Trust in popularity contests, E Pluribus Unum is still a major motto of the United States of America, appearing on the Great Seal. It perfectly encapsulates the sentiment behind the creation of the United States: many states coming together to form a strong and free Union. Out of many, one.

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Latin | sem-pər-fə-ˈdā-ləs | Always Faithful/Loyal

Usually shortened to Semper Fi, this is the motto of choice for the United States Marine Corps and many other military and civilian organizations. It embodies the Marines' values of honor, courage, and commitment; as well as their unyielding loyalty towards each other and the people they serve.

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The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest scouting organizations in the world, with close to 3,000,000 active members. It's been part of the lives and youth memories of many American citizens. Be Prepared finds its roots in the 1908 book Scouting for Boys by the British Army Officer Robert Baden-Powell.

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Latin | sem-pər-pə-ˈrä-təs | Always Ready

No one knows for certain how the words Semper Paratus came to be the motto of the United States Coast Guard, but it was Captain Francis Saltus Van Boskerck who immortalized them when he penned the 1928 march of the same name (now, naturally, the official march of the Coast Guard).

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General John Stark, New Hampshire´s most famous American Revolution hero, wrote Live Free or Die: Death is not the worst of Evils as a toast after the war. His words reflect the ideals of liberty that flourished during both the French Revolution and the American War of Independence.

Live Free or Die is now the official state motto of New Hampshire, and can also be found on the state´s license plates.

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Latin | ad-ˈa-strə-ˌpər-ˈa-spə-rə | To the Stars through Adversity

Different variations of the phrase Ad Astra per Aspera have been frequently used by a large number of organizations. This is because it represents a noble sentiment: that all hardships will eventually pass, and that progress comes through enduring them.

Ad Astra per Aspera is now the state motto of Kansas.

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Latin | sem-pər-sü-prə | Always Above

Fitting for the United States Space Force, Semper Supra (Always Above) has been their motto and the name of their official march since 2022. The motto was coined by US Air Force Senior Airman Daniel Sanchez, who chose it after researching the mottos of other branches of the military and deciding that Semper Supra and its translation were easy to say and memorize.

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Latin | lä-ˌbȯr-ˌȯm-nē-ˌä-ˈwiŋ-kit | Work Conquers All

Close in sentiment to Ad Astra per Aspera, this phrase emphasizes that anything can be achieved by hard work and dedication. It has a long history, dating back to a poem by Virgil during Caesar's rule in Ancient Rome. Labor Omnia Vincit has been used extensively as a slogan, and it serves as the motto of the state of Oklahoma.

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While NASA has used Ad Astra per Aspera as a slogan on different occasions, For the Benefit of All is its official motto. This phrase encapsulates the spirit of NASA's mission, which is to explore the secrets of the universe for the benefit of all humanity.

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an organization that takes pride in holding its members to the highest standards of personal character. That´s why they chose Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity as their motto, to showcase the values they prize the most. Coincidentally, these three terms can also be abbreviated as the initialism FBI.

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A deceptively simple motto with a storied background, Friendship is a rough translation of the name of Texas itself. Texas or Tejas was the Spanish transcription of the name of a local native tribe, whose name meant "friends" or "allies." In time, Texas became the name of the state, and its original meaning of Friendship survived as its official motto.

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Adopted by Congress in 1956, In God We Trust became the official motto of the United States, replacing E Pluribus Unum, which had been in use since its appearance in the design of the Great Seal of the United States. It was received with almost unanimous approval by the general population, and it remains one of the most popular mottos in America. It's on display on several government buildings and, of course, printed on American currency.