Some characters become so iconic that their actors become entirely inseparable from the part they played, as their personas and reputations become intrinsically linked. This can often be the case for an ed for one specific role.

Some of the best movie characters out there have become inseparable from the actors who play them, and many TV stars have to accept that their legacy will always be tied to their characters. While some actors resent being tied to one piece of media for the rest of their lives, others have fully embraced their iconic reputations and leaned into their association with their defining role. For better or worse, these actors are inseparable from one particular character they played.

10 Arnold Schwarzenegger

The Terminator

While Arnold Schwarzenegger had an impressive career as a bodybuilder before he became an actor, even winning the Mr. Universe title at the age of 20, it was his villainous role in James Cameron’s The Terminator that made him a cinematic icon. Schwarzenegger’s prior acting roles included the muscleman lead in Hercules in New York and as the title character in the swords and sorcery classic Conan the Barbarian. However, none of that compared to the astounding success of The Terminator.

As the cyborg T-800, Schwarzenegger would go down in film history as his utterance of “I’ll be back” in a thick Austrian accent quickly became one of the most famous quotes in movie history. Schwarzenegger used the astounding success of The Terminator to carve out a successful action movie character, although even his non-Terminator roles often contained callbacks to his time as the T-800. The impact of The Terminator even extended to his political career as he gained the moniker The Governator when he served as the governor of California.

9 James Gandolfini

Tony Soprano

As the anti-hero precursor of every morally questionable TV protagonist who followed him, without James Gandolfini’s incredible characterization of Tony Soprano in The Sopranos, there would be no Don Draper in Mad Men or Walter White in Breaking Bad. In The Sopranos, Gandolfini helped spearhead a new Golden Age of Television, and this was the role he was associated with for the rest of his life. As a character who was simultaneously hilarious and terrifying, watching Tony unpack his own psychology in his therapy sessions made this one of the most complex and engaging performances ever seen on television.

It’s impossible to see Gandolfini in a movie or TV show without the audience’s mind immediately conjuring images of The Sopranos and Tony’s challenge of balancing his family life with being the head of the criminal organization. While this can be said of the entire cast of The Sopranos, Gandolfini truly embodied Tony’s looks and mannerisms as he brought a likability to a character who never shied away from doing awful things. To make audiences actively root for a classic sociopath is no mean feat, and Gandolfini did it effortlessly.

8 Jim Parsons

Sheldon Cooper

As one of the most popular sitcoms of all time, The Big Bang Theory brought Jim Parsons worldwide recognition for playing the socially awkward but brilliant scientist Dr. Sheldon Cooper. As a theoretical physicist with a whole host of eccentric and unique mannerisms, Sheldon represented all the classic characteristics of a nerd, as his genius IQ, lack of knowledge about social cues, and difficulty recognizing sarcasm made for hilarious viewing. Through Parsons' role over 12 seasons and as the narrator of the prequel Young Sheldon, he became truly inseparable from Sheldon.

Parsons was one of the greatest aspects of The Big Bang Theory and even won four Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a TCA Award, and two Critics' Choice Television Awards for his time as Sheldon. As such a well-defined and unique character, it was a testament to Parson’s comedic and acting skills that he not only ensured he remained interesting and engaging for years on end but actually became a true television icon for which he’ll always be associated.

7 Vin Diesel

Dominic Toretto

Vin Diesel’s breakout role was as Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious franchise, and it’s one that he has become totally inseparable from. As a series that’s developed over more than two decades, Diesel’s long-standing commitment to his role as the leader of a gang of street racers meant that audiences formed an emotional connection to his character as they witnessed his intense loyalty to his fellow riders that he classified as family. While Diesel has had other notable roles, such as Groot in The Guardians of the Galaxy movies, none have had the same kind of cultural impact as Fast & Furious.

Dominic Toretto has become inseparable from Diesel because it’s not the longest ongoing role in his career, but truly his defining role with which he’ll forever be associated. Through epic street races that have become more extreme with each installment, Diesel’s role in Fast & Furious was the perfect encapsulation of the sheer over-the-top absurdity of modern blockbusters, yet his commitment to the part has ensured it’s remained engaging and exciting. Diesel appears to respect the opportunities that Fast & Furious has afforded him, and as a result, he’s stuck by the franchise through highs and lows.

6 Amy Poehler

Leslie Knope

The ambitious, optimistic, and endearing public servant Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation has become intrinsically linked with the incredible performance of Amy Poehler. As the star character of this popular NBC sitcom, the way Poehler imbued Leslie with her relentless positivity made her such a beloved character. While almost all the main actors in Parks and Recreation, like Aziz Ansari as Tom Haverford and Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson, have become practically inseparable from their characters, Poehler’s role as a producer and occasional writer on the show meant she was even more firmly connected to her portrayal.

While it took some time for Parks and Recreation to find its feet after a lackluster first season, Poehler’s characterization of Leslie arrived fully formed. With a level of optimism and determination that’s rare to see in the world of comedy, Leslie was a breath of fresh air amid the litany of cynical and sarcastic sitcom characters who have populated modern television. The feminist slant of Leslie as a government worker doing all in her power to achieve small yet important goals made her the most enduring and iconic character of Poehler’s career.

5 Sarah Michelle Gellar

Buffy Summers

Buffy the Vampire Slayer was one of the most influential TV shows of the 1990s and early 2000s, and its leading performance by Sarah Michelle Gellar was essential to its success. While Buffy Summers had previously been played by Kristy Swanson in the movie version of Buffy, it was Gellar who made the role her own and became truly inseparable from her character. With an upbeat sense of humor in the face of potentially world-ending catastrophes living on the edge of Hellmouth, Gellar’s portrayal of Buffy made her a true feminist icon and a major star.

While Gellar had other significant roles, like in the 1990s teen romance Cruel Intentions or as Daphne in the live-action Scooby-Doo movies, Buffy was truly the role of her lifetime. Gellar’s firm commitment to her role as a vampire-fighting hero was not just seen in her acting, as she even had the martial arts skills to back up her incredible performance (via Rolling Stone.) With at least a brown belt in taekwondo, Gellar had more in common with Buffy than just her sense of humor.

4 Daniel Radcliffe

Harry Potter

English actor Daniel Radcliffe shot to fame when he was just 12 years old as Harry Potter in the hugely popular adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s fantasy book series. As a cultural phenomenon that’s beloved by countless readers and viewers worldwide, it was clear from the first movie that this would be the role Radcliffe would be associated with for the rest of his life. However, rather than curse the inescapable legacy of his most famous role, Radcliffe has used Harry Potter's popularity to pursue highly unusual and totally unique roles across film, television, and theater.

Having already achieved a level of success most actors could only dream of before he even left his teens, Radcliffe didn’t have anything to prove, and this was reflected in his subsequent roles. From playing a wordless corpse in the surreal comedy-drama Swiss Army Man to embodying the parody musical icon Weird Al Yankovic in a satirical biopic, Radcliffe has consistently surprised audiences with his idiosyncratic choices. Although Radcliffe will likely be asked about Harry Potter in every interview he conducts for the rest of his life, he’s found his own way of keeping things new and exciting.

3 Robert Downey Jr.

Tony Stark / Iron Man

Robert Downey Jr. achieved great success in his early career, yet personal drug-related troubles led to a professional downturn and even a stint in jail during the late 1990s. While this seemed like a classic story of the dire effects of fame and a celebrity's extraordinary rise and devastating fall, this was just the beginning as, in 2008, Downey surprised audiences with one of the most impressive career comebacks of all time. Downey’s role as Tony Stark in Iron Man revitalized his career and acted as the inception point for one of the most successful franchises ever.

Tony Stark quickly became Downey’s defining film role, and right from the beginning, it was clear that this was the part he was born to play. With intense charisma and infectious onscreen charisma, Downey embodied the effortless charm of Stark, and he went on to reprise the role in several sequels, such as The Avengers and many other MCU movies. While Downey’s legacy now feels inseparable from Iron Man, his Academy Award win for his ing role in Oppenheimer proved he could balance big-budget blockbusters with more serious dramatic roles.

2 Hugh Jackman

Wolverine

Hugh Jackman gained his breakout role as Wolverine in the X-Men franchise in 2000, a part he has continued to reprise for the rest of his career. As one of the most popular superheroes of them all, Jackman’s performance as the regenerating, metal-claw-wielding mutant also known as Logan was a major factor in the franchise's success, as he reprised the role in sequels, spin-offs, and even standalone installments. With a brooding physique and iconic sideburns, Jackman’s persona has been intrinsically linked with Wolverine as audiences have watched him portray the character for a quarter of a century.

While Wolverine will always be Jackman’s definitive role, he also hasn’t let this stand in the way of him pursuing other opportunities. Outside of the X-Men franchise, Jackman has worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest directors, such as Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, and Baz Luhrmann. With an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for the musical adaptation of Les Misérables, Jackman was far from a one-trick pony.

1 Sylvester Stallone

Rocky Balboa

It’s difficult to think of any actor more associated with a film role than Sylvester Stallone with Rocky Balboa. Stallone wrote the screenplay for the Best Picture-winning film Rocky in three days (via Far Out) and, in that short period, created a character with which he could be intrinsically associated for the rest of his life. As the definitive underdog sports story, Stallone’s likable characterization, unique speech pattern, and tenacious drive to succeed were imbued into the very nature of Rocky as he led five sequels and was a major part of the spin-off Creed series.

While it’s true that Stallone had other major film roles as the PTSD-suffering Vietnam veteran John Rambo or as the mercenary leader Barney Ross in The Expendables, Rocky was the role with which it’s impossible to separate him. Not only was Rocky Stallone’s breakout performance, but his role as a screenwriter helped him carve out an acclaimed career as a writer and director. Without Rocky's influence, Stallone’s career would likely have been much different, as it acted as the inception point for everything he went on to achieve.

Sources: Rolling Stone, Far Out