10 Famous Movie Characters You Didn't Know Were Based On Real People

There are some movie characters who are so unbelievably awesome that you're absolutely certain there's no one in the real world who could possibly hold a candle to them. One such character is Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski, whose propensity for coolness in the face of harsh vibes is usurped only by his love of White Russians.

There's no way someone like The Dude could exist in real life, because people in real life aren't that carefree and karmically on point.

And yet, indie movie producer Jeff Dowd goes well beyond being a simple inspiration for The Coen Brothers' most iconic character, to the point that Jeff Bridges' laid-back, sweater-wearing essence is less of a "portrayal" and more of a chronicle of Dowd's being.

The Coens met Dowd when he was working in the promotional department on their debut film, Blood Simple. The directors decided to base their principal character in The Big Lebowski on Dowd because he is, as the script states, "a man in whom casualness runs deep".

He may not be an avid bowler or fancy White Russians as much as his fictional counterpart - he prefers vodka sodas - but the demeanor, the clothing, the nickname, his past as a radical protestor, even the rug that "really ties the room together"...that's all taken right from The Dowd's life.