You leave the movie theatre walking like him, talking like him, and wanting to be him. Save the world. Get the girl.

We all have had this experience—encountering a movie character so heroic and stylish that you want to emulate their every move.

As Hollywood continues to wow us with thrilling blockbusters, it’s time to look at some cool characters (some heroic, some villainous, others comical) that have helped to show how even box office hits that rake in billions have room for inspiring acting choices.

From the legendary, maniacal Joker, to James Bond in the casino, to the no-nonsense Terminator, here are some of the more memorable Hollywood movie characters of all times. 

1. Heath Ledger (aka The Joker)

He may be gone, but Heath Ledger’s role as the Joker in the Dark Knight movie has inspired many actors, and will surely never be forgotten.

Based on the DC Comics character and supervillain of the same name, the joker is portrayed as a psychotic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with no empathy at all. Think of him as a psychopath who cares less about the affairs of the world—while thieves will rob a bank to get rich, the joker robs a bank to burn the money.

Owing to his excellent performance in his role as the Joker, Ledger won many accolades, including the Golden Global Award for Best Supporting Actor. He has also spawned many cosplays and halloween outfits.

2. Daniel Craig (James Bond)

The fictional character “James Bond” was created by Ian Fleming—a British author, journalist, and former Naval Intelligence officer.

Owing to his superb role as James Bond in the hit movie “Casino Royale,” Daniel Craig has established a name in Hollywood and slowly become an inspiration to many casino and gambling enthusiasts.

James Bond has always been a gambler. He loves the soft sound of the cards and the constant unemphatic drama of the quiet figures round the green tables, whilst sipping on his shaken Vodka Martini.

His dogmatic approach to gambling and a winning mantra that “luck is a servant, not a master” have earned him a name in the gambling community. He is not just a master of poker games but is also a fan of roulette and other casino games (which you can play online to practice to become as good as Bond). I’m sure many of us wish we had Bond’s skill at the Baccarat table.

3. Johnny Depp (aka Captain Jack Sparrow)

Jack’s home is in the sea, and his ship (The Black Pearl) is his only true love.

Portrayed by Johnny Depp, Jack Sparrow is a fictional character and the main protagonist in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series. The film series became huge in the early noughties and the character of Jack Sparrow was the iconic figure at the heart of them.

Jack is trickster, a strategist, and a master negotiator. He can be treacherous but survives in the dangerous seas by use of wits and tricks—fleeing from most of the dangerous situations without putting up a fight and only using force when necessary. Most of us have probably tried to do an impression of the Keith Richard-inspired Jack Sparrow voice at least once or twice.

4. Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator)

Arnold Schwarzenegger is as iconic a star in Hollywood as anyone can be.

In all his films—from Commando (1985) to Total Recall (1990) to the hit Terminator series, Schwarzenegger is depicted as a hero who fears no one and never backs down to a challenge. A sheer combination of physical strength, will for justice, and indomitable courage are what defines him.

The Terminator is arguably his most iconic role. Even though he plays a robot sent to destroy humanity in the first film, his character still manages to find redemption later in the series.

5. Rowan Atkinson (aka Mr. Bean)

We can’t forget the one man who made many of our childhoods hilarious—and that’s no other than Mr. Bean. Perhaps the absolute antithesis of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Portrayed by Rowan Atkinson, Mr. Bean is an icon in the comedy genre. He is not just a mischievous character, but one who has a propensity for causing trouble whenever he goes. Atkinson manages to generate hilarity without even speaking for most of the role.

In all his TV shows and movies, he is known to turn ordinary situations into moments of embarrassment—and that’s his style. His films have attracted large television audiences and won several international awards, including the Rose d’Or. It does help when there is no, or minimal, English actually spoken. It works in virtually every country without subtitles. Genius.

If you have a favourite iconic Hollywood character let us know in the comments.