Ulysses Everett McGill
O Brother, Where Art Thou? protagonist, charming escaped convict, pomade enthusiast
Ulysses Everett McGill is the main character portrayed by George Clooney in the Coen Brothers' 2000 film 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?'. A charming but self-absorbed escaped convict during the Great Depression, McGill is characterized by his flowery vocabulary, pomade-slicked hair, and unwavering vanity despite his dire circumstances. After escaping from a chain gang, he convinces two fellow inmates, Pete and Delmar, to join him on a journey across Mississippi under the pretense of locating a buried treasure, but his real motivation is to win back his ex-fiancée Penny before she marries another man. The film, loosely inspired by Homer's Odyssey, follows McGill's picaresque adventures as he encounters various colorful characters and situations, from a Siren's song to encounters with folk musicians. Clooney's performance brings both comedic charm and underlying pathos to the character, revealing McGill's vanity and desperation beneath his smooth-talking exterior. The film's rich use of bluegrass and folk music, combined with the Coen Brothers' distinctive visual style, makes Ulysses Everett McGill an iconic character in American cinema.
Fictional Character
American
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Thinking about the name
Ulyses
Greek origin
“A simplified spelling of Ulysses that removes one 's,' creating a streamlined appearance while preserving the classical mythological reference. Ulyses feels contemporary and clean, appealing to modern parents who want the prestige of Greek mythology without the traditional double-consonant weight.”