Some of us turn to TV shows and movies solely because they have the power to be incredibly motivating and inspirational. We love to watch underdog stories and see characters on our TV screens rise up out of seemingly impossible circumstances and go on to achieve the unthinkable. It's fun to watch a character from an underrepresented demographic step into a scene and deliver an empowering speech or pep talk that we assume would come from actual lived experience if, you know, they were a real person. It's inspiring, moving, and often really entertaining.
Just look at the popularity of Apple TV's Ted Lasso — people love to watch people inspire others, especially when that inspiration comes from an unlikely source like Jason Sudeikis' super-lovable soccer coach Ted Lasso.
Shows and movies somehow help us to compartmentalize and escape from our own problems while still inspiring us to push forward and get through them, and a lot of that has to do with the mentors from certain movies and TV shows that we've come to love throughout the years. We're talking about inspiring characters that we turn to again and again for a little boost or even characters that we learn little life lessons or nuggets of wisdom from each time a new episode is released.
We don't just watch TV and movies to escape; we also watch them to relate to somebody or something, and a lot of these mentor characters help us do just that. We walk away from the screen feeling like we can conquer the world. So if you need some inspo, look no further than your favorite fictional characters.
Miranda Bailey
Grey's Anatomy surgeon Miranda Bailey is the OG of TV mentors, especially as a female in a male-dominated field and even more specifically as a woman of color. She's tough as nails when it comes to her charges, but she does everything with the best interests of her residents and employees in mind. She's so good that in more recent seasons of the medical drama, she's kind of become a mentor to her own mentor.
Mr. Miyagi
The Karate Kid's Mr. Miyagi has been inspiring generation after generation since 1984. The sensei that put karate on the map for an entire generation of kids was firm but soft-spoken, wise but humble, and offered Daniel LaRusso guidance, respect, and a fatherly sort of love. Who could ask for a better mentor?
Mickey
If Mickey (or Mick as Rocky liked to call him) isn't one of your favorite characters from Sylvester Stallone's Rocky franchise, you've kind of missed the point. Sure, Rocky Balboa himself is known for his insightful monologues, but he learned from the best. The boxing coach who gave him his start was a master at delivering tough love in the most inspiring and authentic way possible.
Rocky Balboa
Like we said, Rocky can deliver a knockout motivational speech. While in the first few movies he was the one that needed the inspiring, from about Rocky V onward, it was Rocky himself who became the mentor and used his own life experience to inspire and motivate others to be their best selves, including Michael B. Jordan's character Adonis in Creed.
Ted Lasso
Coach Ted Lasso has captured the hearts of so, so many TV viewers in just two short seasons. He's goofy and offbeat, but he takes on a task that is so completely out of his comfort zone and does it in a way that inspires everyone around him. He's the breath of fresh of air that all of us need right now. You can't help but be touched — and reflect on your own life — while watching him in action.
Albus Dumbledore
The Harry Potter series couldn't have asked for a better mentor than the great Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore was always ready with the wisest of advice, but he gave Harry room to make his own mistakes. He never let his morals slip despite having such immense power. He led his students and staff humbly, efficiently, and with lots of dignity.
Professor Charles Xavier
While we're talking about inspiring professors, we have to mention X-Men's Professor Charles Xavier. He's an absolute legend in the comic book world because he used his position to teach his mutant students to accept their differences and unique abilities and wield them for good rather than evil.
Alfred Pennyworth
Alfred is such an underrated character in the DC Comics world. One of our very favorite iterations of the character is the version of Alfred in the TV series Gotham. He basically raises Bruce Wayne. He's heartbreakingly honest with the budding Batman, but he's endlessly supportive and offers up unconditional love and good advice freely.
Melinda May
The character Melinda May from the Marvel series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is all about empowering her agents to take care of themselves. Not only that, but she leads by example. She puts the time and effort in to hone her own skills so that she can teach by doing and back up all of the instruction and advice that she doles out.
Joe West
You know that Joe West is someone special as soon as you discover that he basically stepped in as the Flash's father when he lost his biological parents. Joe is a devoted police officer and father who proves time and again to be there for Barry (the Flash) and his biological daughter, Iris. Despite not having any superpowers of his own, he's a prime example of bravery and always offers up honest words of wisdom.
Yoda
That's right! What list of movie mentors would be complete without Yoda from the Star Wars franchise? The iconic Jedi Master is probably best known for his wisdom, which of course is a necessary trait for any mentor. He's a knowledgeable and helpful guide for Obi-Wan Kenobi and later does a masterful job training Luke Skywalker.
LouAnne Johnson
Remember the movie Dangerous Minds from way back in 1995? In it, Michelle Pfeiffer plays a character named LouAnne Johnson, who is a teacher and devoted mentor to her students. She's a tough-as-nails ex-Marine who doesn't take any crap, but she's willing to do the most to make a difference in the lives of her inner-city students.
Morpheus
Neo would not be Neo if it were not for Morpheus. Morpheus proves to be an invaluable ally and teacher to Neo in The Matrix, and his calm and commanding demeanor makes him something of a guru for believers of "The Prophecy" as well. With his even-tempered and supportive nature, he is more like a father figure to members of his crew.
Jack Pearson
Jack Pearson is the ultimate dad, is he not? Actor Milo Ventimiglia stole millions of hearts the world over the minute he took on the role of Jack in This Is Us, and that's because the character is just so relatable. And while his kids grow up trying impossibly to attain the standards he set for himself, he couldn't have been a better encourager or example of how to love unconditionally.
Leslie Knope
Leslie Knope of Parks and Recreation proves that comedic characters can be just as inspirational as dramatic characters. She's kind and hardworking, and is always striving to encourage others. Her positivity doesn't ever seem to end, and she always looks on the bright side. While we can't all always be like that, we're glad we have Leslie to remind us why we should try.
Diane Lockhart
The character Diane Lockhart on The Good Wife and its spin-off The Good Fight is a lawyer who takes no bull, and we love her for it. She's ambitious, successful, and utterly dedicated to her work, and she always manages to stay true to her morals, even in a world that makes it very difficult to do so.
M
Let's start off with the fact that M from some of the modern James Bond films is a female MI6 boss in an organization where that is totally not the norm. Not only that, but she's well-respected. And let's not forget that she's actually the one who trains 007 himself. She never hesitates to put Bond in his place, but she's also incredibly loyal and committed to helping him be the best agent he can be.
John Keating
Teachers are often the most important and impactful mentors many of us ever have, even if they aren't nearly as inspiring as John Keating in Dead Poet's Society. Although when Robin Williams played the character in 1989, the idea of embracing our unique selves and bucking expectations was a lot more revolutionary, it's characters like this who inspired generations of people to think bigger.
Jack Donaghy
Even though he could be a smarmy jerk at times, Jack Donaghy did teach 30 Rock's Liz Lemon a whole lot about the industry and professional world they worked in. The mentee/mentor relationship between him and Liz was a riveting look at how two very different people can teach and inspire each other.
Erin Gruwell
Yet another teacher character on our list is Erin Gruwell from the film Freedom Writers. She works tirelessly to inspire and motivate her underprivileged students and give them hope for their futures. She's tough, but kind and caring, and is always willing to put in the work.
Mindy Lahiri
OK, OK, so Mindy Lahiri of the The Mindy Project didn't necessarily serve a as a mentor to anyone in particular on the series, but we think she's the perfect mentor for female viewers. She's smart, successful, independent, and unapologetically herself. Not only that, she knows her worth and will not accept anything less. We can all learn from that.
