Appearances: Escape From New York (1981), Escape From L.A. (1996)
Creator: John Carpenter
Performer: Kurt Russell
Defining moment: On being asked if he’s going to kill Lee Van Cleef’s character: “I’m too tired, maybe later.”
Fascinating fact: Production company Avco Embassy Pictures preferred Charles Bronson or Tommy Lee Jones for the role rather than Russell, who was better known for his recent Disney comedies.