Not all role models need to be real people. In the world of fiction, certain characters become enduring symbols of virtue.
These are the characters you want to emulate, whether you’re a child or an adult. Sometimes, they exude sheer badassery, while other times, they embody qualities you either find admirable or notice lacking in the real world.
Fictional Role Models
From the pages to the screens, below is a selection of fictional characters who many people consider a role model.
1. Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird
A lawyer with moral integrity and courage in a time when extreme prejudice held sway. Atticus is such a powerful character that he has become a sort of folk hero in the legal profession and continues to affect change within it.
2. Mark Watney from The Martian
Finding yourself stranded on an island is one thing; however, being marooned on another planet is an entirely different story. Which is what happens to Mark.
Did he break and despair? A little. But he went to work, devoting himself to staying alive on a desolate planet no matter what. That’s as resilient as it gets.
3. Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek
Jean-Luc Picard is characterized by his strong sense of duty and love for exploration. He’s firm but fair, willing to overcome his flaws, and advocates for peace rather than violence. Even his hatred for the Borg can’t overpower his core values.
4. Belle from Beauty and the Beast
Belle is fiercely nonconforming in an era where women are expected to follow after men. She reads books, doesn’t care about what others think of her, and refuses to be blinded by Gaston’s toxic masculinity. Even better, she sees through the outside ugliness of the prince and teaches him how to be kinder.
5. The Man from The Road
The world is dead and everyone’s out for themselves. In such a world, it’s easy to give up like his wife, but the man devoted himself to his son instead.
Throughout the novel, you see him sacrificing his own needs for his son, teaching him how to be a good human being, and how to understand the world around him.
6. Hermione Granger from Harry Potter
Without Hermione, Harry and Ron might not have even graduated from Hogwarts. She’s always the one doing research and helping the two out with their problems.
She’s also not afraid to voice out her thoughts and defend what she thinks is right—even when she’s ostracized for them. Remember S.P.E.W.?
7. Mulan from Mulan
Mulan is strong, brave, and smart, which is ironically what the imperial army wanted when they were looking for soldiers. Too bad they weren’t taking women. And at the risk of her life, she still went to war because she didn’t want her disabled dad to go.
8. Nancy Drew from The Nancy Drew Mystery Stories
Nancy Drew is an amateur sleuth who has solved countless cases. She’s a strong and capable young woman who uses her wits and skills to solve problems and help others.
Many women consider her a symbol of independence and empowerment, being a character who consistently challenges traditional gender norms.
9. Iroh from Avatar: The Last Airbender
Compared to his volatile family, Iroh is a calm, easygoing, and spiritual person. He understood the importance of balance and sought to incorporate it into himself.
He was key to Zuko’s redemption and fought against everything he had once believed in during his youth. Everyone deserves an Uncle Iroh to guide them in life.
10. Superman from DC Comics
Superman represents many things—strength, hope, selflessness, compassion—but his most admirable trait is his unwavering commitment to justice and truth. He could have easily conquered the planet but became its protector instead.
11. Annalise Keating from How to Get Away With Murder
Annalise Keating proves that being a lawyer isn’t just a man’s profession. She’s just as capable as her male colleagues, even frequently running circles around them. And though she’s a terrifying teacher, she’s entirely devoted to seeing her students succeed.
12. Aslan from The Chronicles of Narnia
Aslan, the one true king of Narnia, is a mysterious, talking lion who represents all that is good. Throughout the series, he works towards teaching his subjects selflessness, humility, and moral responsibility.
He walks his talk too. Not only does he redeem those who’ve strayed from the path but he’s also sacrificed himself to redeem a traitor.
13. Sherlock Holmes from Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock is cold, arrogant, and eccentric. It makes him hard to like, but you can’t deny his brilliance. Not only is he well-read and educated but his deductive powers border on the supernatural.
While he’s not the best person to idolize with emotional stuff, everyone could do with even just a bit of his logical thinking, observation, and intellect.
14. Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings
If loyalty needed an image, Samwise could very well be it. He’s a simple hobbit with no need for adventure, riches, or fame but he still left the Shire out of loyalty and love for his friend.
He wasn’t even truly a friend at the time, more of a close employee. He’s proof that even the smallest people can have the biggest impact.
15. Mary Poppins from Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins is the perfect mix of educator, entertainer, and disciplinarian. She knows how to teach kids, make it fun, and still be strict but fair about it.
The best part? She doesn’t tolerate nonsense but never needlessly harms or insults people. In such a short time, she’s able to bring out the best in people, whether children or adults.
Can Role Models Be Fictional?
Fiction extends far beyond entertainment and imagination. Well-crafted characters leave indelible marks on the hearts of minds of people. They begin emulating these characters, bringing their admirable traits into reality.
Who are your fictional role models? Share them in the comments below!
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Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
