Adrian Monk

Living... alone in the cleanest, most orderly house in San Francisco. Monk's obsessive-compulsive disorder helps keep his house in the most pristine condition imaginable. He also has some 312 phobias, with specific and sometimes paralyzing fears of everything from milk to ladybugs to glaciers. Predictably, his condition causes him a lot of difficulty, so Monk has a nurse/personal assistant (first Sharona, then Natalie) to help him get through his days.

Profession... detective. Monk used to work as a renowned homicide investigator for the San Francisco Police Department until his OCD and many phobias made it too difficult for him to function and he was suspended. After some time off, Monk began working as a private homicide consultant for the department, investigating cases more on his own terms alongside Capt. Leland Stottlemeyer and Lt. Randy Disher. Monk eventually hopes to be reinstated as a full member of the SFPD.

Interests... counting, aligning, and many other quirks that help assign order to his life. Monk's obsessive-compulsive behaviors amount to much more than just a hobby, though; they’re present at every moment of every day.

Relationship Status... widower. The murder of Monk's wife, Trudy, was the pivotal event of his life. It led to his nervous breakdown, his OCD and phobias spiraling out of control, and his eventual discharge from the force. Trudy was the one person who truly understood Monk and all his foibles, and to his amazement she still loved him anyway. Monk was better able to manage his condition with his beloved Trudy by his side, and he often feels lost without her, even years after her death. Furthermore, Trudy’s death is the only case he has never been able to solve.

Challenge... channeling his disorders in a productive way instead of being debilitated by them. Monk's neuroses often make it difficult for him to get through the day, and for three and a half years even made it impossible for him to leave his house. But the intense desire for order from his OCD gives him an almost inhuman attention to detail, enabling him to spot clues that others would miss. The strife he has been through has arguably made him an even better detective, so long as he is in control of his anxiety. As he puts it, "It's a gift... and a curse."

Personality... obsessive. Beyond the obvious quirks of counting and arranging every item in his life, he is exceedingly dedicated to his cases and will never rest until he solves them. His uncanny observational skills, keen intellect and remarkable memory make him a truly brilliant detective. But the underlying conditions that help make him so brilliant are, of course, a huge burden as well. When asked, "How does it feel, always being right?" he half-sarcastically responds, "Terrible.” It’s not easy being Mr. Monk.