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Olivia Pope from 'Scandal' -

The character Olivia Pope from the TV show 'Scandal' is inspired by Judy Smith, a crisis manager in Washington D.C. Judy Smith previously served as Deputy Press Secretary for George W. Bush and has experience dealing with significant presidential scandals, including representing Monica Lewinsky during the Clinton-Lewinsky controversy.

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Betty Boop -

Betty Boop, the renowned cartoon character from the 1930s, drew inspiration from Helen Kane, a talented singer and actress renowned for her charming "baby" persona. It was Kane who first popularized Betty Boop's memorable catchphrase, "Boop-oop-a-doop." Intriguingly, Kane filed a lawsuit claiming copyright infringement against the creators, yet her case faltered when it was uncovered that she had actually appropriated her act from Baby Esther, a gifted African-American vocalist from Harlem.

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Norman Bates from 'Psycho' -

The antagonist in the famous horror movie 'Psycho' was directly inspired by Ed Gein, a murderer and grave robber with an unhinged attachment to his mother.

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Miss Piggy -

Originally named "Miss Piggy Lee" as a tribute to Peggy Lee, the Muppets most prominent diva underwent a slight change. However, possibly due to understandable circumstances, the singer Peggy Lee expressed dissatisfaction, leading the creators to remove the "Lee."

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Lucious Lyon from 'Empire' -

In 2015, the show's creator disclosed that Terrence Howard's character drew loose inspiration from music mogul Jay-Z.

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Zorro -

Author Johnston McCulley's protagonist is believed to have been inspired by Joaquín Murrieta, a Mexican miner who immigrated to California in the 19th century. Murrieta's wife was subjected to an assault, yet the authorities failed to assist him in seeking justice, leading him to take matters into his own hands.

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Alice from 'Alice in Wonderland' -

Lewis Carroll was a close friend of Alice Liddel during her childhood. It is often mentioned that the enchanting story originated as a special tale for her. Carroll cleverly weaved connections to Liddel throughout his novels, such as setting certain events on her birthday and including a poem that spelled out her full name in 'Through the Looking Glass.'

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Captain Hook from 'Peter Pan' -

The animated character Captain Hook in Disney's film was based on Hans Conried, an American actor who initially only provided the voice. However, his dynamic portrayal influenced the animators to also incorporate his appearance.

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Dill from 'To Kill a Mockingbird' -

The awkward kid next door in the renowned literature masterpiece was indeed inspired by the crime writer Truman Capote, who happened to be Harper Lee's neighbor.

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Indiana Jones -

Hiram Bingham III, an explorer and Yale professor, serves as the inspiration for the Indiana Jones character. Renowned for his discovery of the Machu Picchu ruins, the film 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' pays homage to him by setting its opening scene adjacent to the renowned site. 

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Milhouse from 'The Simpsons' -

Milhouse Van Houten was based on Paul Pfeiffer from 'The Wonder Years,' both characterized by their looks and role as the protagonist's loyal companion in good and bad times.

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Ursula from 'The Little Mermaid' -

The Disney animators had initially chosen Joan Collins as inspiration for the villain but ultimately opted for the iconic drag performer Divine. What an excellent decision!

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Ariel from 'The Little Mermaid' -

The animated mermaid princess in Disney's film was modeled after a younger version of Alyssa Milano's face, surprising the actress when she learned of it after the movie's release.

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Piper from 'Orange Is the New Black' -

Piper Chapman's character is derived from the real-life experiences of Piper Kerman, who served a 13-month sentence in prison due to her connection to a drug-trafficking organization alongside her former girlfriend, Cleary Wolters (the inspiration for Alex Vause).

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Don Draper from 'Mad Men' -

Matthew Weiner, producer of 'Mad Men,' acknowledged that the character portrayed by Jon Hamm drew inspiration from Draper Daniels, a heavy-drinking and smoking advertising executive at a prominent firm during the 1950s.

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Popeye -

Elzie Segar crafted the renowned sailor cartoon character after Frank Fiegel, a fellow townsman recognized for his corn cob pipe, eye patch, and proclivity for brawls.

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Sherlock Holmes -

The renowned detective drew inspiration from Dr. Joseph Bell, a professor at the University of Edinburgh's school of medicine, according to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Known for his expertise in analyzing patient histories, Bell also assisted law enforcement as a forensic scientist on occasion.

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Severus Snape from 'Harry Potter' -

The renowned figure played by Alan Rickman drew inspiration from a similarly solemn and ghostly-looking individual, J.K. Rowling's chemistry professor, John Nettleship, known for his long black hair.

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Snow White -

The enduring legend is believed to have originated from the life of Margarete von Waldeck, a noblewoman from the 16th century who lived in Bavaria. Her home was close to a mine where disfigured child laborers were cruelly referred to as "dwarfs." She was reportedly poisoned by the family of a prince when they did not approve of her as his partner.

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Mary Poppins -

According to reports, P. L. Travers based the character of Mary Poppins on her own relative, known as "Aunt Sass," who differed somewhat from the affectionate Disney depiction.

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Moe Syzlack from 'The Simpsons' -

The cartoon bartender is said to be inspired by Louis "Red" Deutsch, an actual bartender in Jersey City who was targeted by a group of prank callers during the 1970s. Bart's recurring prank calls to the bar were influenced by this.

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Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh -

A.A. Milne's cherished children's stories in the enchanting Hundred Acre Woods originated from his son, Christopher Robin. As the story goes, Christopher Robin adored a bear named Winnipeg at the London Zoo, inspiring the creation of Winnie and the delightful group of characters.

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Hazel from 'The Fault in Our Stars' -

The character played by Shailene Woodley in the emotional movie was actually based on the late Esther Earl, a YouTuber who openly shared her experiences with cancer and had a close friendship with author John Green.

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Mary from 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' -

Mary Sawyer, also known as the girl who owned the little lamb, gained fame when she brought the adorable creature to her classroom in a basket. This incident inspired a nursery rhyme composed by a fellow classmate, which was later modified by a poet many years later.

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Auric Goldfinger -

The primary antagonist in the James Bond series, Goldfinger, is thought to have been influenced by Charles W. Engelhard Jr., a famous American gold mining magnate and a close friend of Fleming who shared his fondness for gold.

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Charlie Chan Charlie -

Charlie Chan, a character often associated with white actors using yellowface, was actually inspired by a real Chinese-Hawaiian policeman named Chang Apana. Author Earl Derr Biggers discovered Apana's exploits in Honolulu newspapers and used them as the basis for his fictional character. It is important to note that the depiction of Charlie Chan in the movies does not accurately reflect the character's origins.

Sources: (Brightside) (All That's Interesting) (Reader's Digest) (Buzzfeed) 

See also: Fictional characters that inspired baby names

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