10. The Dude

Appearance: The Big Lebowski (1998)

Creators: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Performer: Jeff Bridges

Defining moment: Throughout, The Dude is striving to return to his habitual state of rest but fails. Driving his beat-up Torino home in a rare moment of contentment, supping a beer, taking a toke and singing along to Creedence on the eight-track, he spots he’s being trailed. This latest assault on his embattled karma causes him in quick succession to flick his joint into his lap, squeal like a girl, pour beer on his trousers, and slam the Torino into a row of dustbins. Rattled but unhurt, his drugstore Ray-Bans — an excellent bellwether for The Dude’s equilibrium — are left comically askew.

Fascinating fact: With the exception of his dream, you never actually see The Dude bowl.

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