29. Snake Plissken

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.

Buy Escape From New York now on Amazon