4 fictional characters inspired by real life people

Over the course of time, several brilliant fictional characters have been created both on screen and in the world of literature. From Sherlock Holmes and Tintin, to Severus Snape and James Bond, the list is endless. In fact, these characters are so iconic that they not only remain etched in history but also in our minds, so much so, that we either want to be like them or to meet them in person. But what if we told you such people did exist in real life and had some way or the other inspired some of world’s greatest fictional characters? Yes, that’s right. Okay, so who were those real-life heroes who influenced these iconic characters from the realm of literature. 

Tintin 
It’s hard to find a school kid who hasn’t been fascinated by The Adventures of Tintin. In fact, this series of comics created by Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi has charmed kids and adults alike through generations. Tintin, as you all know, is a round-faced reporter from Brussels who dons a blonde hair. Well, he is always accompanied by a dog named Snowy. What else? Oh, he is bitten by the travel/ adventure bug. But did you know that this Brussels-born comic character was inspired by the real-life Danish boy scout Palle Huld who later went on to become an actor and writer? Sources suggest that it was his 44-day-long journey around the world at the tender age of 15 (in 1928) that inspired Remi to create Tintin.  

James Bond 
The world knows about British Secret Service Agent James Bond with the special code of 007. But who inspired Ian Fleming, the British journalist and novelist to sketch the character of Bond? Well, Fleming always noted that it was a composite character based on a number of commandos who worked with him in the British Naval Intelligence Division during the World War II. However, later, he had confessed that it was his friend, the British top secret agent Forest Yeo-Thomas who was the real inspiration behind Bond. Interestingly, Thomas only used to report to the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and was part of undercover missions.  

Popeye 
Most children have grown up reading about or watching Popeye the Sailor Man. After all, he is an all-time favourite fictional character created by American cartoonist EC Sigar. But not many know that the character of Popeye was inspired by a man the author once knew. He was Frank Fiegel, a local don who hailed from Sigar’s own hometown Chester in Illinois and was deemed as a legend for singlehandedly taking down a dozen of bad men.  

Severus Snape 
For all those Potterheads out there, this one might be an old news. But it still deserves a special mention. Turns out, the famous villain-turned-hero from the Harry Potter series aka Severus Snape was based on the author J.K. Rowling’s own teacher from her childhood who she absolutely resented. His name was John Nettleship, her secondary school chemistry teacher who she often describes as “a short-tempered teacher with long hair.” Nettleship was a great teacher but an unforgivable bully.