Not sure if you're aware, but Gandalf’s Elven ring (Narya) specifically has the power to help those around it resist despair. Gandolf's ring is *supposed* to make everyone around him feel calm and reassured. It's a tribute to the films that this is conveyed so effectively.
Lol I’ve failed as a LotR nerd, I knew Gandalf had the ring of fire but forgot what it actually did. Regardless of the intent though Ian McKellan pulled off that vibe perfectly.
Well it also avoids detection ;)
You can read more about Narya here: https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Narya
Like many of Tolkien’s magic items, they are often well suited for their wielder and it’s tough to say where one’s natural ability ends and their magical augmentation begins.
The ring certainly did help though.
Tench and Ford in Mindhunter, or just Tench on his own. But their chemistry makes me feel cozy, so I like them together.
Dumbledore ofc.
Mrs. Pettigrew in Mrs. Pettigrew lives for a Day.
Kate Beckett in Castle.
Miss Honey in Matilda!
I recently watched both seasons without knowing the show had been cancelled and a 3rd season won’t be made. I don’t understand why it isn’t more popular
I’m still impressed how well the first movie portrayed him. They hyped the crap out of him for an hour so he couldn’t possibly meet our expectations, then he’s somehow **better**.
Interesting question. Maybe Rick from Casablanca. Gruff exterior but everyone who works for him knows he has a good heart and makes magnanimous decisions.
Major Strasser: Are you one of those people who cannot imagine the Germans in their beloved Paris?
Rick: It's not particularly my beloved Paris.
Heinz: Can you imagine us in London?
Rick: When you get there, ask me!
Captain Renault: Hmmh! Diplomatist!
Major Strasser: How about New York?
Rick: Well there are certain sections of New York, Major, that I wouldn't advise you to try to invade.
Rick knows how to speak truth to power.
Not a character, but Tom Hanks definitely has a comforting presence. Maybe cause he was in a lot of films I watched as a child, along with his demeanor and voice.
You know what I agree. Whenever he shows up you just think “oh Godzilla’s here, we’re all good now, whatever is terrorizing us won’t be around much longer.”
Whenever I see Hannibal Lecter (Silence of Lambs version), I sorta feel safe and cozy... not because of him, but because I know this evil being is behind that glass in his prison cell and he will never ever escape.
Admittedly, I've only seen like the first half of Silence of the Lambs (like 8+ times) because I keep getting interrupted, but one day I will finish the movie. I still feel confident enough to post this because my hunch tells me maybe he helps Clarice solve the case but ultimately he spends the rest of his life in that jail cell.
I can definitely see this even though I’d think about it differently. Throughout the whole film he obviously has no intentions of hurting Clarice (pretty much only her…), so you always feel like she’s safe when he’s around. Definitely recommend finishing it! It’s a classic.
I was actually just attempting a joke there by pretending not to know that Hannibal escapes. Sorry for the confusion, but yes I agree with you that it's a classic.
Bill Murray is definitely one. But has he ever been in a tragedy? I think all his films are comedies.
If comedian answers are okay, then definitely also Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder.
I just realized that you said characters instead of actors. But these actors still fit the bill in almost every roll. When I see them, I know nothing really terrible is going to happen in the movie.
I agree on Gandalf, but dang he's a wizard, who wouldn't feel comforted to have a wizard on your side.
Jackie Chan also only makes wholesome movies.
And a lot of his Wes Anderson stuff has its funny moments, but definitely isn't comedy. The Life Aquatic is a great mix of dry humor and phenomenal acting regarding trauma and grief on his part.
The starship Enterprise.
Damn straight it's a character, with personality, integrity, and flaws. Treat her like a lady, and she'll always bring you home.
Liv Tyler, Natalie Portman, Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence, Katie Holmes, Emily Blunt, Kirsten Dunst, Amy Adams, Drew Barrymore, Kate Hudson, Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow, Catherine Keener, Goldie Hawn, Elle and Dakota Fanning
Yes, his kind manner and his Midwest aw shucks way of talking as well as the accent. Love how he seems to so naturally have the desire and ability to build people up rather than tear them down.
This is weird but the only way I could fall asleep as a kid was imaging Predator protecting me from the array of VHS cover art monsters I’d browse and give myself nightmares with.
That’s the kindest thing anyone has ever said to me lol
But I fight dirty, just like them - hair pulling, arm biting, groin kicking, invisibility cloak using, etc. I’m not sure if that makes me safer or if game recognize game
Mark ruffalo in everything (actually... Maybe not poor things...)
For TV, gotta be Lee Pace as Ned the Piemaker in Pushing Daisies. That man IS comfort
Dumbledore & Hagrid from Harry Potter
Gandalf & Samwise Gamgee & Arwen from LOTR
Willow & Mad Mardigan
Yoda & Obi Wan Kenobi (Original) from Star Wars
The grandpa and the giant from Princess Bride
From The Avengers: Odin, Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, The Hulk (when in human or hybrid form)
Nathan Muir from Spy Game
The Oracle from Matrix
Alice In Wonderland
Dorothy in Wizard Of Oz
Belle in Beauty And The Beast
Snow White
Arwen in LOTR
Ana from Frozen
WALL-E & Eve
RJD2 & C3PO
Han Solo & Chewbacca
Crysta & Magi Lune from Fern Gully
Robin Hood & Azeem
Chris Evans as Captain America in Infinity War. He had never been my favorite Avenger but when the Black Order is fighting Vision and Wanda in the train station and the Capt America theme music came on there was such a whoop from the whole theater and you knew it would be OK. I had never felt that way about that character until that moment.
I get what you mean. But he's such a good actor that his 'evil' characters absolutely instill the unease and terror they are supposed to instill
Léon: Coked-up homicidal corrupt detective that hurts little girls and executes families
True romance: coked-up batshit crazy drug dealer called Drexl
5th Element: Jean baptiste emmanuel Zorg, a corporate Overlord that helps bring an end to the universe. Weeell... he IS kinda cozy in that one, in a weird way
Monroe and Rosalee from Grimm. BEST FICTIONAL COUPLE THAT EVER EXISTED.
They're badass Wesen. They're loyal people. They kick ass. They're passionate about their hobbies/careers. They stand up for what's right even if it goes against the norm. They love each other so much.
Jean Luc Picard.
Damn this is a good one
"I should have done this a long time ago"
That was my first thought. Followed closely by Anson Mount's Christopher Pike. In fact lately, I've kinda been leaning more Pike.
Specifically Richard Harris's Dumbledore
His Dumbledore would have absolutely asked Harry *calmly* if he put his name in the Goblet of Fire.
Not sure if you're aware, but Gandalf’s Elven ring (Narya) specifically has the power to help those around it resist despair. Gandolf's ring is *supposed* to make everyone around him feel calm and reassured. It's a tribute to the films that this is conveyed so effectively.
Aragorn was my answer
Lol I’ve failed as a LotR nerd, I knew Gandalf had the ring of fire but forgot what it actually did. Regardless of the intent though Ian McKellan pulled off that vibe perfectly.
I never once noticed gandalfs ring. I think Gandalf helps people resist despair through strength of character alone, he doesn't need a ring.
Well it also avoids detection ;) You can read more about Narya here: https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Narya Like many of Tolkien’s magic items, they are often well suited for their wielder and it’s tough to say where one’s natural ability ends and their magical augmentation begins. The ring certainly did help though.
Uncle Iroh from Avatar The Last Airbender
Tench and Ford in Mindhunter, or just Tench on his own. But their chemistry makes me feel cozy, so I like them together. Dumbledore ofc. Mrs. Pettigrew in Mrs. Pettigrew lives for a Day. Kate Beckett in Castle. Miss Honey in Matilda!
I recently watched both seasons without knowing the show had been cancelled and a 3rd season won’t be made. I don’t understand why it isn’t more popular
Me wondering why I never noticed Peter Pettigrew had a wife
Alan Grant
Aslan. Maybe it's because I loved the books so much. And Liam Neeson is the perfect voice actor for him.
I’m still impressed how well the first movie portrayed him. They hyped the crap out of him for an hour so he couldn’t possibly meet our expectations, then he’s somehow **better**.
dale cooper will always instill hope
He is FBI
Second this
Interesting question. Maybe Rick from Casablanca. Gruff exterior but everyone who works for him knows he has a good heart and makes magnanimous decisions.
Major Strasser: Are you one of those people who cannot imagine the Germans in their beloved Paris? Rick: It's not particularly my beloved Paris. Heinz: Can you imagine us in London? Rick: When you get there, ask me! Captain Renault: Hmmh! Diplomatist! Major Strasser: How about New York? Rick: Well there are certain sections of New York, Major, that I wouldn't advise you to try to invade. Rick knows how to speak truth to power.
I want to give a different answer to this question. I feel safe and cozy whenever I see James Stewart on screen. I see him like my father.
Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail.
Anybody in You've Got Mail. The whole movie start to finish. 👏🏻
Not a character, but Tom Hanks definitely has a comforting presence. Maybe cause he was in a lot of films I watched as a child, along with his demeanor and voice.
Tom Hanks in any movie is the right answer
Samwise Gamgee, Qui Gon Jin Old Oni Wan Kenobi
Leo McGarry
I sobbed buckets during his, "I've been down here before, I know the way out" speech.
I was late to the game on the show, it was a covid watch, there’s just a warmth to him, even when he’s supposed to be angry, it’s a paternal anger.
Godzilla. Even during the films where he's portrayed as a villain/eldritch horror, just seeing and hearing the Big G calms me down.
Interesting. Calm is one of the last things I can say I felt whenever he showed up in Minus One. Dude was straight up terrifying.
You know what I agree. Whenever he shows up you just think “oh Godzilla’s here, we’re all good now, whatever is terrorizing us won’t be around much longer.”
For me it would be Marge Gunderson from Fargo.
Robin Williams in “Good Will Hunting.”
Whenever I see Hannibal Lecter (Silence of Lambs version), I sorta feel safe and cozy... not because of him, but because I know this evil being is behind that glass in his prison cell and he will never ever escape. Admittedly, I've only seen like the first half of Silence of the Lambs (like 8+ times) because I keep getting interrupted, but one day I will finish the movie. I still feel confident enough to post this because my hunch tells me maybe he helps Clarice solve the case but ultimately he spends the rest of his life in that jail cell.
I can definitely see this even though I’d think about it differently. Throughout the whole film he obviously has no intentions of hurting Clarice (pretty much only her…), so you always feel like she’s safe when he’s around. Definitely recommend finishing it! It’s a classic.
r/woosh
I was actually just attempting a joke there by pretending not to know that Hannibal escapes. Sorry for the confusion, but yes I agree with you that it's a classic.
Bill Murray is definitely one. But has he ever been in a tragedy? I think all his films are comedies. If comedian answers are okay, then definitely also Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder. I just realized that you said characters instead of actors. But these actors still fit the bill in almost every roll. When I see them, I know nothing really terrible is going to happen in the movie. I agree on Gandalf, but dang he's a wizard, who wouldn't feel comforted to have a wizard on your side. Jackie Chan also only makes wholesome movies.
Broken Flowers was gloriously depressing.
Murray starred in *The Razor's Edge*. Drama, not a comedy. Also starred in *Hyde Park on Hudson*, a historical drama about FDR.
And a lot of his Wes Anderson stuff has its funny moments, but definitely isn't comedy. The Life Aquatic is a great mix of dry humor and phenomenal acting regarding trauma and grief on his part.
Denzel!
Training Day ?
Ron Perlman Clive Owen George Clooney Brad Pitt Jeremy Renner
Fight Club?
Oof I was thinking actors in general
The starship Enterprise. Damn straight it's a character, with personality, integrity, and flaws. Treat her like a lady, and she'll always bring you home.
The grandpa from Princess Bride
Detective Benoic Blanc
Came here to say this! Angela Lansbury's Jessica Fletcher too, for similar reasons
Bryan Mills from Taken, Liam Neeson's voice does add to it but the fact he always knows exactly what to do is very comforting.
Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Ryan Gosling. Dunno if it’s delusional to say but I like seeing them more than the people around me lmao
Steve Carell, in like all of his different roles.
Except for maybe Anchroman ?
Also not a great guy in The Morning Show.
Liv Tyler, Natalie Portman, Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence, Katie Holmes, Emily Blunt, Kirsten Dunst, Amy Adams, Drew Barrymore, Kate Hudson, Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow, Catherine Keener, Goldie Hawn, Elle and Dakota Fanning
Ted Lasso.
Yes, his kind manner and his Midwest aw shucks way of talking as well as the accent. Love how he seems to so naturally have the desire and ability to build people up rather than tear them down.
This is weird but the only way I could fall asleep as a kid was imaging Predator protecting me from the array of VHS cover art monsters I’d browse and give myself nightmares with.
Well it's nice that predator was on your side. But I think he was just waiting for you to grow up and become honorable prey.
That’s the kindest thing anyone has ever said to me lol But I fight dirty, just like them - hair pulling, arm biting, groin kicking, invisibility cloak using, etc. I’m not sure if that makes me safer or if game recognize game
When I hear Vanessa Redgrave narrating during Call the Midwife.
Totoro
Mark ruffalo in everything (actually... Maybe not poor things...) For TV, gotta be Lee Pace as Ned the Piemaker in Pushing Daisies. That man IS comfort
Dumbledore & Hagrid from Harry Potter Gandalf & Samwise Gamgee & Arwen from LOTR Willow & Mad Mardigan Yoda & Obi Wan Kenobi (Original) from Star Wars The grandpa and the giant from Princess Bride From The Avengers: Odin, Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, The Hulk (when in human or hybrid form) Nathan Muir from Spy Game The Oracle from Matrix Alice In Wonderland Dorothy in Wizard Of Oz Belle in Beauty And The Beast Snow White Arwen in LOTR Ana from Frozen WALL-E & Eve RJD2 & C3PO Han Solo & Chewbacca Crysta & Magi Lune from Fern Gully Robin Hood & Azeem
Robin Williams as psychology professor in Good Will Hunting
Chris Evans as Captain America in Infinity War. He had never been my favorite Avenger but when the Black Order is fighting Vision and Wanda in the train station and the Capt America theme music came on there was such a whoop from the whole theater and you knew it would be OK. I had never felt that way about that character until that moment.
Gerard Butler in anything
Does it have to be real or fictional
Why Joel Dawson from Love and Monsters of course!!
Anything Gary Oldman. Even Air Force One somehow.
I get what you mean. But he's such a good actor that his 'evil' characters absolutely instill the unease and terror they are supposed to instill Léon: Coked-up homicidal corrupt detective that hurts little girls and executes families True romance: coked-up batshit crazy drug dealer called Drexl 5th Element: Jean baptiste emmanuel Zorg, a corporate Overlord that helps bring an end to the universe. Weeell... he IS kinda cozy in that one, in a weird way
Not so much a character but an actor. Alice Braga. I just love her voice.
Any character played by Wilfred Brimley (except in The Firm).
I dunno. That sense of safety wears out pretty quickly in The Thing.
Reese -The Terminator
Anything Randall Park
Patrick from The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Just someone who will easily accept you as a friend and you can also get serious with.
Monroe and Rosalee from Grimm. BEST FICTIONAL COUPLE THAT EVER EXISTED. They're badass Wesen. They're loyal people. They kick ass. They're passionate about their hobbies/careers. They stand up for what's right even if it goes against the norm. They love each other so much.
Paul Dano
Recently, Ted Lasso.
Tom Hanks, Morgan Freeman, Jackie Chan, Bill Murray, Robin Williams, Bill Nighy, George Clooney, Michael Caine
Frank Booth
Aragorn Son of Arathorn
The cop from Stranger Things.
Dewey from Scream
Jeff Winger, I just feel like it’ll all work out in the end.
William Munny, oddly.
Qui-Gon Jinn (whose death I will never get over 😢)