As The Breakfast Club brilliantly observed 25 years ago, most high school movies are made up of a familiar cast of characters: the jock, the princess, the basketcase, the rebel, and, last but not least, the brain (aka nerd). Whether it’s the triumphant geek who wins the girl, or just your run-of-the-mill comic relief loser, I’ve always enjoyed the role of the nerd in movies. That’s why I was excited to find this cool visual timeline of some of the most famous nerds in movie history.
Coming our way via KoldCast TV, the chart was inspired by one of KoldCast’s own original web shows, “MacAwesome.” Spanning more than 20 years, the chart includes such notable nerds and weaklings as Philip “Duckie” Dale from Pretty in Pink, Cameron Frye from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and everyone’s favorite goober, Fogell “McLovin’” from Superbad. To check out the full chart, click on the image below.
While some of the picks are questionable (I wouldn’t say Daniel LaRusso was a nerd, or Donnie Darko for that matter) the chart definitely hits on some of the most prominent nerd characters from the last quarter century. If I could make one addition, I think I would add either Lewis Skolnick or Gilbert Lowe from the quintessential nerd film, Revenge of the Nerds. In fact, there should probably be a whole separate hall of lockers to hang up just the members of Lambda Lambda Lambda.
What do you think? Are there any nerds that the chart missed? What is your all-time favorite nerd in movie history?
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Just One of the Guys, Weird Science, there is probably one or two others… ooo Better Off Dead.
one of the kids from dazed and confused maybe?
What about the 2 nerds in Animal House?
that would be Pinto and Flounder, the new members.
I wouldn't classify Cusack's turn in Say Anything as a geeky/nerdy character, Lloyd was seen as a righteous dude by many. I would say that perhaps his take in The Sure Thing or One Crazy Summer are closer to the mark.
Charlie Talbert in Angus was pretty good
Seth Green in Airborne was also a very good take on what it's like not fitting in.
what about “Vic” from screen rant?
what about “Vic” from screen rant?