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In Movies: Jack Nicholson as Colonel Nathan Jesup in A Few Good Men kept popping in my head when I thought about a secondary character who stole every scene.
Thanks to Aaron Sorkin for writing the words. Scene always gives me chills.
I did a little more research and realized Jack is a 4 time award nominated and 2 time award winning secondary character.
See Easy Rider, Reds, Terms of Endearment & A Few Good Men.
In Books: My favorite secondary character is actually the narrator of my new favorite book, Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby. I just love Nick’s consistent sense of hopefulness in Jay Gatsby. Nick wanted to believe in Jay so bad every step of the way. This one of my favorite scenes that demonstrate this:
“By the way, Mr. Gatsby, I understand you’re an Oxford man.” “Not exactly.” “Oh, yes, I understand you went to Oxford.” “Yes —- I went there.” A pause. Then Tom’s voice incredulous and insulting: “You must have gone there about the time Biloxi went to New Haven.” — “I told you I went there.” said Gatsby. “I heard you, but I ‘d like to know when.” “It was in nineteen-nineteen. I only stayed for five months. That’s why I can’t really call myself an Oxford man.” Tom glanced around to see if we mirrored his unbelief. But we were all looking at Gatsby. “It was an opportunity they gave to some of the officers after the Armistice,” he continued. “We could go to any of the universities in England and France.” I wanted to get up and slap him on the back. I had one of those renewals of complete faith in him that I’d experienced before. Daisy rose, smiling faintly, and went to the table.Again, must give credit to Mr. F. Scott Fitzgerald for the written words.
I haven’t seen the movie, yet. I’m a little skeptical whether Tobey MacGuire is able to do Mr. Nick Carraway justice.
What are some of your favorite secondary characters? Make sure to visit the other bloghop participants and discover other great secondary characters.
Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 
In Terry Goodkind’s Sword Of Truth series, Zed is one of my all time favorite secondary characters. I was also a big fan of Hermione Granger. If we’re talking movies, in Serenity, Willow was pretty badass.
Hermione is a great secondary character.
O.k., this is going to sound like one from left field….because, it is….but one of my favorite secondary characters was on the short lived show “The Cape”. The whole “Circus of Crime”, I thought, was more interesting than the title character, himself.
I kept telling my wife that they should have made a show about the Circus and killed The Cape character off 🙂
That’s a good secondary character. It makes you not even care about the main character. I hated the movie Jerry McGuire, but wanted them to make a movie about the Rod Tidwell and his family. Much more interesting.
Pretty much any character in The Princess Bride makes a great secondary character. Then there are some amazing standouts in the Star Wars flicks. For books? I don’t know. I can’t think of a book where I finished it and wanted another book to be written by a secondary character’s point of view, but I know there are some. I’m just drawing a blank. If I think of some, I’ll come back.
I think Tobey will be fine. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but am hoping my son will let me take him this weekend.
Tameri’s choice from the Princess Bride is good.
My selection goes up tomorrow!
I won’t be the first person to say Hermione, but she’s definitely one of my favorite heroines in literature. Back when I was a kid, I used to read the Encyclopedia Brown books and I liked Sally Kimball too. I guess I just have an appreciation for young female characters who are smart and strong-willed.
I am SO happy that you mentioned Jack Nic’s character in A Few Good Men, given that he’s one of my all time favorite characters EVER!!!
Also, 3 Ups is a go! Your “Upee” is Michelle over at http://writer-in-transit.co.za/
No need to rush in giving your Ups. Any time you can is fine 🙂 Thanks for participating!!!
Hi Randi. Jack is good in everything he is in. Thanks for the 3 Up person. I will head over there soon.
I loved A Few Good Men, like so many others.
I’ve seen the full movie several times, but I’ve watched the ending a hundred. (Because they show it all the time on cable now.) I don’t get sick of it.
Hi Suzi, It’s one of those movie that if I happen to catch it on TV, I will sit and watch the rest no matter where I’m at. Just amazingly written and acted movie.
I haven’t seen the movie yet either and I’m reading such mixed reviews I’m nervous to watch it!
Thanks for participating in the hop!
Hi Rachel. I saw it yesterday and it is a beautifully shot movie, but it doesn’t have nearly the tension that the books creates.
My favorite secondary characters have to be Valentine in Ender’s Game (the book version), and Sam in LOTR. Great post!
I have not read Ender’s Game and saw a preview for the movie yesterday. I have to read it before the movie comes out. Sam is a great secondary character.
Jack is really great at making a side character steal the show. And I’ve never read The Great Gatsby.
Thanks for stopping by Jenny. I highly recommend reading The Great Gatsby. Especially before seeing the movie.
I’ve never seen A Few Good Men. Need to put that on my list.
Nick Carraway is a great choice! I haven’t seen the movie yet either. I’m afraid it just won’t live up to my expectations.
Hey Theresa, I saw it last night. It is a beautifully shot movie. I am happy to have seen it, but it made me appreciate the book even more.
Wow! Excellent choice! I’ve seen that court scene a thousand times, but I still enjoy it. Good stuff!
It never gets old.
Jack Nicholson is a talent no matter who he plays. You picked some great ones here.