8. Stringer Bell - The Wire
In at number 8 is a real slick bad guy. Stringer Bell eased onto our screens in The Wire and showed us how bad guys can elevate themselves above petty crime. Bell is an intelligent man with ambition. He knows that laundering money through legitimate businesses and using his criminal underworld muscle to pull strings is the way to build an empire. Starting out as street hustler using fear, intimidation and bribery he built his power base in the Baltimore projects. Bell was always more interested in a long game than immediate success. Hes happy to wait for the right time to strike, rather than an impulsive and flawed knee jerk reaction. As his power grew in the Baltimore crime world and his opportunities became greater he moved to legitimize himself and step away from the criminal front line. By breaking the direct link between himself and the crime that funds his organisation he was able to appear legit. Buying influence and power from politicians, and striking fear into anyone who opposed him, he began ruling with an iron fist from the shadows. Unscrupulous and callous, but never rash Stringer Bell has made it clear to all he isnt a man to be trifled with.