Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Grew Up... tough. As Cliff puts it, “Prison’s been trying to get me all my life. It ain’t got me yet.” He once spent two weeks on a Houston chain gang for breaking a cop’s jaw, although he’s also hailed for his heroism in World War II.
Living... unglamorously, in 1969 Hollywood. Though Cliff spends his days rubbing elbows with major Hollywood power players, he lives in a small trailer with his pit bull Brandy.
Profession... Rick Dalton’s stuntman and chauffer. Cliff and Rick have a long partnership going back to Rick’s halcyon days as the star of the 1950s TV Western Bounty Law. Lately, however, Cliff has been struggling to find stunt work and is employed more as Rick’s driver and gofer. He’s coming to terms with the fact that he’s now just, “Some old cowboy guy that used to shoot movies at Spahn Ranch.”
Interests... Hawaiian shirts, acid dipped cigarettes, and his pit bull Brandy.
Relationship Status... suspiciously single. Rumor has it that Cliff may have murdered his wife on a boating trip. He’s tightlipped about what actually happened that day, but the gossip—and his past on-set hotheadedness—have made it hard for him to find stunt work in Hollywood anymore. Right now the most important relationship in Cliff’s life is his friendship with Rick. They’ve been friends and partners for nine years. You could even describe him as “a buddy who is more than a brother and a little less than a wife.”
Challenge... investigating Spahn Ranch. While Rick is busy filming some TV guest appearances, Cliff finds himself suspicious of a strange hippie commune that’s taken over the old movie ranch where Bounty Law used to film. After a chance meeting with a flirtatious young hippie named “Pussycat,” Cliff decides to check in on his old friend George Spahn and see if people like Squeaky Fromme, Tex Watson, and Charles Manson are taking advantage of him.
Personality... cool, calm, and collected. Cliff may be past his career prime, but he prefers not to dwell on the past or worry about the future. He lives in the moment and lets the chips fall where they may. Cliff’s no pushover though. He’s observant, pragmatic, and unafraid to defend himself if he has to. His physical prowess is second to none. Above all, Cliff is defined by his laidback confidence.
