Gladiator · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Gladiator by Philip Wylie.
Hugo Danner
major
Also known as Danner, Little Hugo, young Hugo, Hugo Danner, IX Hugo, Dear Hugo, Hugo's
A young man gifted with superhuman strength, struggling to find his place in the world.
Abednego Danner
supporting
Also known as Abednego, Professor Danner, Mr. Danner, Mr. H. Danner
Hugo's father, a scientist whose experiment gave his son superhuman abilities.
Mrs. Danner
supporting
Also known as the Danner
Hugo's mother, a gentle and protective presence in his early life.
Charlotte
supporting
A woman Hugo becomes romantically involved with during his college years.
Lefty Foresman
supporting
Also known as Lefty, Lefty old kid
A friend and fellow student of Hugo's at college.
Professor Mudge
minor
Also known as Mudge
A professor at the college Hugo attends, who takes an interest in him.
Thomas Mathew Shayne
supporting
Also known as Tom, Shayne, young Tom, Tom Shayne, R. J. Shayne, Shayne's
A friend and classmate of Hugo's, later a professional boxer.
Anna Blake
minor
Also known as Anna
A young woman Hugo meets and becomes infatuated with.
Mr. Woodman
minor
Also known as Woodman, Only Woodman
A professor at the college who challenges Hugo intellectually.
Will Hoag
minor
Also known as Hoag
A friend of Hugo's from his college days.
Mr. Melcher
minor
Also known as Melcher, Willard Melcher
A wealthy businessman who employs Hugo for a time.
Mrs. Nolan
minor
Hugo's landlady during his time in New York.
Captain McClaren
minor
Also known as McClaren, Only McClaren
A captain in the French Foreign Legion who recruits Hugo.
Battling Ole Swenson
minor
Also known as Ole
A formidable boxer Hugo fights in an exhibition match.
Dan Hardin
minor
Also known as Dan, Daniel, Daniel Hardin, Hardin, Professor Hardin
A professor and later a colleague of Hugo's father.
Izzie
minor
A friend of Hugo's from his childhood in the small town.
Otto Meyer
minor
Also known as Otto
A German soldier Hugo encounters during World War I.
Woodie
minor
A friend of Hugo's from his hometown.
Jerry Painter
minor
Also known as Jerry
A fellow soldier and friend of Hugo's in the Foreign Legion.
Charlie Todd
minor
Also known as Charlie, Chuck, Good old Chuck
A friend of Hugo's from his college football days.
Bessie
minor
Also known as the lost Bessie
A young woman from Hugo's hometown who he briefly courts.
Mr. Epstein
minor
Also known as Epstein
A businessman who hires Hugo for a dangerous job.
Iris
minor
A woman Hugo meets and becomes involved with in New York.
Captain Crouan
minor
An officer in the French Foreign Legion.
Mrs. Ralph Jordan Shayne
minor
Also known as Mrs. Shayne, Ralph Jordan Shayne, Ralph
Tom Shayne's mother, a supportive figure in his life.
Professor Whitaker
minor
Also known as Whitaker, Professors Whitaker
A professor at the college Hugo attends.
Valentine Mitchel
minor
Also known as Mitchel, Valentine
A fellow soldier and friend of Hugo's in the Foreign Legion.
Samson
minor
A biblical figure Hugo is compared to due to his strength.
Mr. H. Smith
minor
Also known as Smith, H. Smith
A government agent who recruits Hugo for a secret mission.
The Swede
minor
Also known as the mountainous Swede
A large and powerful soldier in the Foreign Legion.
Webster
minor
A friend of Hugo's from his college days.
Kate
minor
Also known as the Katrina
A woman Hugo meets during his travels.
Nelson
minor
A fellow soldier in the Foreign Legion.
Fitzsimmons
minor
Also known as Fitz
A friend of Hugo's from his college days.
Janice
minor
A young woman Hugo meets and briefly dates.
Mr. Cane
minor
Also known as Cane, Cane—Ralph Cane, old man Cane
Roseanne's father, a local businessman in Hugo's hometown.
Roseanne Cane
minor
Also known as Roseanne
A young woman from Hugo's hometown who he is fond of.
Mr. Smoots
minor
Also known as Smoots
A teacher at the school Hugo attends as a boy.
Dr. Thorndyke
minor
Also known as Thorndyke
A doctor who examines Hugo as a child.
Congressman Hatten
minor
Also known as The Congressman, Hatten
A politician who interacts with Hugo during his time in Washington.
Claudine
minor
A woman Hugo meets in France during the war.
Mrs. Robinson
minor
A neighbor of the Danner family.
Esmerelda
minor
A fortune teller Hugo visits.
Aunt Emma
minor
Also known as Emma
Hugo's aunt, who lives with the family for a time.
President Mills
minor
The president of the college Hugo attends.
Matilda Danner
minor
Also known as Matilda
Hugo's younger sister.
Marcelle
minor
A woman Hugo meets in France.