Film and TV producers often try to paint a character as a sympathetic, lovelorn person worth rooting for, not realizing that the character actually exhibits traits that could lead to arrest. Here are 8 beloved characters who are actually stalkers.
8- Doug Funnie
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Sure, Doug seemed harmless enough with his green sweater vest and gigantic cartoon nose, but was his fascination with Patti Mayonnaise really all that innocent? At first it seemed like a normal youthful crush, but over the years that Doug was on the air we were able to delve into the mind of Doug Funnie and see how far the obsession went. Doug displayed many classic stalker characteristics besides the whole, you know, constantly thinking about and trying to be around her. He kept a journal about their every minor interaction, drew pictures of her obsessively and had delusional daydreams about being various "heroes" she needed to be rescued by. And come on, with that outfit and his nearly bald head, Doug looks like your typical perm from To Catch a Predator anyway.
7- Wilson
Living next door to someone makes it extremely easy to stalk them, and no sitcom character took more advantage of that fact than the mysterious Wilson on Home Improvement. His face always obscured by an object so his true identity would never be glimpsed, Wilson would peer over the fence into the lives of the Taylor family and dispense his advice. Many saw him as a caring, compassionate man only interested in imparting his wisdom on others. But let's face it: he was a middle aged man living alone that would constantly look over his fence into his neighbors yard and talk to their three young boys. I just hope there wasn't a hole in that fence. Shame on you Wilson.
6- Steve Urkel
I know what you're thinking: was Urkel really beloved? Well these days he is remembered for being annoying, but let's not forget that for awhile he was all the craze. Hell, even Urkel talking dolls were flying off the shelf. When he first appeared on Family Matters he was just a nerdy school mate, but as time went by he continued showing up more and more, until finally he was around every turn, always haunting the Winslow family every waking hour of the day. And why would Urkel refuse to leave the tortured family alone? Because of his obsessive love for Laura Winslow. He even went so far as to make a "cool juice" that turned him into the ultra-hip Stefan Urquelle to try and win Laura's heart. Now that's a dedicated stalker. Or wait, maybe he did that for ratings...
5- Lewis Skolnick
Revenge of the Nerds was meant to be a movie that empowered nerds everywhere, showing that they could rise up against the bullies and frat boys that made their lives a living hell and claim a bit of popularity for themselves. And none was meant to represent the common nerd more than Lewis Skolnick, who acted as their leader. However, his pursuit of the hot Betty Childs (who conveniently happens to be the girlfriend of the main jock) leads to extremely unsettling territory. So much so that he might be better suited on a list called "Beloved Characters That Were Actually Rapists." Near the end of the film Lewis dressed up in a costume Stan had been wearing and has sex with Betty who believes it to be Stan. Afterwards she realizes its him and thinks he's better in the sack so all is well. So the message of the film was apparently that if you're a nerd looking to sexually assault an attractive lady, make sure you know what you're doing. How empowering.
4- Duckie
It is perfectly normal for a young man to develop feelings for a girl he is friends with, but in the case of Duckie and his love for Andie in Pretty in Pink, his obsession goes far beyond a crush. Duckie's actions include riding his bike around her house, showing up at place of work when it's closed, and trying to sabotage her dates. Not only that, but he attempts to persuade her that any other guy who shows interest in her is a horrible human being. The classic "if I can't have her, no one can" mentality of a stalker. At least by the end of the movie he seems to move on to a new victim. If only we got a Prettier in Pink to see if he started stalking her.
3- Mr. Feeney
When we first met Mr. Feeney on Boy Meets World he was nothing more than the kids teacher, lecturing them on boring subjects. However, he was also Cory Matthews' neighbor, so a close relationship between the two began to take form. A relationship that Mr. Feeney refused to let go of. Although they quickly moved on from his grade level he became their principal, even into high school. But adulthood would not end Feeney's obsession. He managed to follow Cory and his friends to their college and become a professor there so that he could keep a constant eye on his now grown up fascination. The fact that the final episode did not end with Feeney in prison or a mental institution for heinous crimes committed off-screen was a real disappointment.
2- Brian Krakow
As one of the most innovative and influential dramas of the 90's, My So Called Life earned its accolades by showing high school life as it really is. Underage sexual activity, alcoholism, child abuse--the program tackled just about every single one of the seedier elements of being a teenager. Except for the creepy curly-haired character named Brian Krakow and his extreme obsession with the show's main character, Angela Chase. Brian Krakow spent almost every single one of the show's 19-episode run engaging in at least one of three classic stalker activities; staring at his unrequited love obsession from afar with a lustful and judging stare, showing up at her front door without any important reason, and riding his bike in circles outside her house. Just like vultures circle their prey, we're sure Brian was waiting for the right moment to strike, which he was unable to do before the show got cancelled.
1- Santa Claus
There may not be a fictional character (sorry to any children that are reading this) that kids adore more than Santa Claus. He shows up once a year to bring them all the toys that they want, so of course they love him. However, there also might not be a character that is a more threatening stalker. Yes he seems jolly and kind, but the story we have all heard also includes sinister aspects. He watches all of us, even as we sleep, to take note of every action and decision we make. Then he is presumptuous enough to judge us. He creates a list with two columns, separating the good from the bad, deeming who he feels is worthy of presents and who deserves coal. And why does he do this? For his own perverse pleasure one would assume. Or to fuel his obvious God complex. Or maybe he just really likes cookies and milk.
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Brady Sullivan has contributed to OMGLists.com, Flixster.com, PopRox.us, FunnyOrDie.com and Comedy.com. You can find his tweets at http://twitter.com/TheComedySnob (they are guaranteed to be 140 characters or less or your money back) and his ramblings about comedy at thecomedysnob.com.
