The 20 best characters from 'Pulp Fiction'

Steve Buscemi delivered a stellar performance as 'Mr. Pink" in Quentin Tarantino's classic Reservoir Dogs (1992). Two years later, he resurfaced in Pulp Fiction — though maybe not as recognizable as the Buddy Holly-imposter waiter at Jack Rabbit Slim's. He wants to know if you want your meat "burnt to a crisp" or "bloody as hell." His scene was so brief, fans of Tarantino's work might forget he's actually in the movie. 

Another case of where a big-name star is featured in a small, but notable role, within the Pulp Fiction universe. Rosanna Arquette, portraying the wife of Pulp Fiction's most prominent drug dealer, comes complete with a heathy dose of piercings and attitude. She can be a bit of a complainer, but it's actually Jody's underappreciated facial expressions, especially during the infamous adrenaline-shot scene, that remain highly memorable. 

Maynard (Duane Whitaker) is the sadistic, racist, hillbilly pawn shop owner that is friends (and probably much more) with two other characters we'll highlight on this list. Now, on the outside, Maynard's business offers a variety of needs for any walk of life. Notably, weapons. However, located in the back and downstairs is another disturbing element of Maynard's character. In the end, however, Maynard gets what he deserves after taking liberty with the wrong gangster.

The aforementioned Maynard's partner in sadistic crime and perhaps even his brother, Zed (Peter Greene) is a security guard with a classy "chopper" that starts via key on a chain with a big "Z." Zed comes off as if he's in charge when he and Maynard want to have their way with notorious Los Angeles crime boss Marcellus Wallace. After raping the crime boss, Zed eventually ends up getting the worse of the entire situation when Butch Coolidge (of course there is more to come with him) steps in to help Marsellus, who then takes his fury out on Zed, aka, "Mr. Soon-to-be-living-the-rest-of-his-short-ä**-life-in-agonizing-pain-rapist."

A veteran of Tarantino films, Frank Whaley delivers one of the more memorable performances as Brett, a young man who possesses the briefcase with mysterious content that belongs to dangerous gangster Marsellus Wallace. However, when two of Marsellus' loyal soldiers come to collect on Brett, also known for his "big brain," and his friends, who are enjoying Big Kahuna burgers for breakfast, one of the movie's most iconic scenes plays out.

Poor Marvin (Phil LaMarr). He's the only one to survive the room when Marsellus Wallace's hit men — Jules and Vincent (you'll hear more about them for sure) — pay a visit to see the aforementioned Brett and his pals. Vincent and Jules are not pleased that Marvin didn't warn them that there was someone hiding in the bathroom with a gun. The two then bring Marvin along for some information, only for him to be shot in the face, thus leading to "The Bonnie Situation."

One of the great mysteries of Pulp Fiction is The Gimp (played by Steve Hibbert). Exactly who, or what, is this person? Questions that continue to be asked 30 years after the fact. A mute dressed in a full-body, black leather bondage suit. And, apparently some sort of toy or entertainment vehicle for the aforementioned Maynard and Zed. Now, in an interview with IndieWire, which ran in April 2020, Quentin Tarantino gave some insight into origins of The Gimp character.

When boxer Butch Coolidge (more on him in a bit) needed a quick getaway from the ring, he found a worthy accomplice in Ms. Villalobos (Angela Jones), whose cab gets him where he needs to go. Of course, that kind of favor doesn't come cheap, and the sultry, sweetly Spanish-accented Esmarelda is more than up for taking Butch's money to avoid the truth. She might also have a strange curiosity about murder. More specifically, she wants to know, "What does it feel like to kill a man?"  

After Marvin is shot in the face, Jules and Vincent need a place to dispose of the body and give their blood-and-brain-spattered car a deep clean. So, they head over to Jimmie's house, which is the setting for "The Bonnie Situation." Jimmie (played by Quentin Tarantino himself) is known for his fine taste in gourmet coffee, and comes off as a hard guy, due to his foul and racist mouth. In reality, though, Jimmie is a man-child who is completely terrified of his wife Bonnie, but makes for one unforgettable character.

One of the more underrated characters within the Pulp Fiction universe. Eric Stoltz plays Lance, the popular drug dealer, who spends his a days in robe and eating cereal in front of the television. Oh yeah, he also has a loyal customer in one Vincent Vega. Of course, things go awry when Marsellus Wallace's wife Mia overdoes on some of Lance's powerful heroin. Then again, it's also responsible for another one of Pulp Fiction's most iconic scenes, with Lance and Vincent in quite the quandary. 

The first offering of the one-two, coffee-shop criminal punch portrayed brilliantly by Tarantino film staple Tim Roth and the always quirky and entertaining Amanda Plummer. Roth's two-bit robber Ringo, or known to his lady as "Pumpkin," is not all that bright. He doesn't know the meaning of the word "garçon," and thinks it would be genius to rob a coffee shop. His thinking on the matter makes for good comedy, though when it comes to executing the plan, "Pumpkin" is quite weak. 

"Pumpkin's" partner in crime. Seemingly disheveled, she's loyal to her man. And, she's certainly up for robbing the coffee shop like Ringo wanted. Now, Yolanda (a great moment from Amanda Plummer) is actually the more menacing of these two robbers, even if that's not saying much, as she's quite unhinged — especially with a gun in her hand. Which only frightened her more when realizing the clientele of the coffee shop wasn't in the mood to be robbed on that particular day. Plus, she had to go to the bathroom and wanted to go home. 

The aforementioned Butch's girlfriend. Fabienne (Maria de Medeiros) has a sweet accent, and loves and will do anything for her man. In fact, she's probably too nice to be involved in such a shady and dangerous character, but love makes one do strange things. In addition to loving Butch, Fabienne also likes blueberry pancakes, being pleasured and longs to sport a pot belly. Of course, her forgetfulness is responsible for nearly getting Butch killed. Now, that's what love is all about.

Christopher Walken was a legend long before he donned the uniform of United States Air Force and Vietnam War veteran Captain Koons in Pulp Fiction. He not only delivered an important, heirloom gold watch to a young Butch Coolidge, but also one of the most hilariously poignant monologues in any Quentin Tarantino movie. It was a brief, but important and straight-up iconic, moment in a movie that helped introduce Walken to a new generation fans, and revive himself as a true pop-culture hero. 

The man himself. Because of his large stature, Wallace (Ving Rhames) is as intimidating as gangster leaders come. He's also vulnerable but knows that one good deed deserves another, especially when your life might be on the line — or your dignity at the very least. Marsellus also delivers some of the best dialogue in any Tarantino film, even at his lowest possible point. His words — and his threats — come with a casual flair. While Marsellus thrives amid a life of violence and chaos, he's one of the smoothest, most likeable characters in the movie.

Harvey Keitel is another mainstay in Tarantino films, and this character is one of the most memorable. "The Wolf," as he's also referred to, has a brief but unforgettable moment in Pulp Fiction. He might be the coolest, calmest, most perfect fixer in the business. It doesn't matter how messy the problem is, "The Wolf" can clean it up, as he did to remedy "The Bonnie Situation" — even bits of Marvin's brain splattered in a car. He's informed, organized, and ready to get the job done in record time. As Jimmie knows, "The Wolf" also likes his coffee with lots of cream and sugar.

We've already mentioned him, so let's get to know the man. Butch (Bruce Willis) will go to any lengths for his family — or at least the memory of his father and that precious watch, as brilliantly and hilariously told by the aforementioned Captain Koons. Butch, by the way, is also good in a pinch when one's life is on the line. In less than 24 hours, he killed a man in the boxing ring, another with an automatic weapon and one more via use of a sword. In doing so, he settled his debt to Marsellus Wallace while getting his life and freedom back. Now, that's a full day.

Truth be told, Mia (Uma Thurman) is not all that likable a character, but she's certainly entertaining. In a lot of ways, she's a spoiled, bratty trophy wife for one Marsellus Wallace. Mia is an above-average dancer but does not know how to hold her drugs. She's almost cartoon-like but in a demented, R-rated kind of way. Yet her storyline within Pulp Fiction is probably the most memorable because of her presence, and one of the most legendary overdose scenes in the history of film. That's not a stretch to say.

In many ways, the audience can feel for Jules (Samuel L. Jackson), despite his line of work as a hit man for the aforementioned Marsellus Wallace. Jules is prophetic in a Hollywood way and gives his victims fair warning before popping them. He might also be the most intelligent of Tarantino's bad guys. He's well-read, and we know he's God-fearing. With his life and mortality at a crossroads, Jules might be one of Tarantino's most complex characters, and one of the most complex within the Pulp Fiction universe.

Vincent Vega just exudes all that Tarantino seems to be about. He's someone we can't quite put the finger on but are drawn to in a strange way. We want to know more about him, and he tends to surprise us with his laid-back, sometimes self-assuring dialogue — or dancing. He's a perfect complement to the over-the-top Jules, his partner in the hitman world. This was the role that truly made John Travolta relevant — again — and should be the first character who comes to mind when thinking about Pulp Fiction — or any Tarantino film, for that matter.