Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Living… in Los Angeles with his family, trying to avoid a midlife crisis. Roger is generally a solid and steady family man, but turning 50 – as he just did – can be enough to give any man pause. Still, he’s in excellent shape for a 50-year old, and there’s a simple solution for his graying beard: shave it off.
Profession…. sergeant with the Los Angeles Police Department, for which he has served for 20 years. Previously, he fought in the Vietnam War, serving in the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Roger is a by-the-book homicide detective who doesn’t want any trouble, especially as he nears retirement. Unfortunately, he’s just been partnered with a younger and much more volatile detective, Martin Riggs.
Interests… a leisurely morning bath, a well-groomed moustache, and his fishing boat.
Relationship Status… married to his loving wife Trish. Together they have three children – Rianne, Nick, and Carrie – and a cat, Burbank. All in all, it is a storybook family. Murtaugh usually has no trouble compartmentalizing work and family… usually. But things are about to get very complicated. It’s not all Riggs’ fault, but he certainly isn’t helping – until he turns out to be quite an asset indeed as things get more dangerous.
Challenge… not getting swallowed up by an explosive case. While investigating the death of Amanda Hunsaker, the daughter of his former Vietnam War buddy, Murtaugh discovers that her apparent suicide was, in fact, a homicide. Further digging reveals a connection to a previously unknown heroin-smuggling operation run by former soldiers. Though Roger and Riggs do not like each other initially, they must pool their collective grit and wit to take down the cartel.
Personality… steady and responsible, but tough when the situation demands it. At first, Roger seems to be counting down the days until retirement. One of his favorite sayings is: “I’m too old for this sh**!” But they say adversity reveals character, and when Roger is pressed – and especially when his job might harm his family – he shows the ability to rise to the occasion. All in all, though, he’d rather be home taking a nice bath.
Get to Know him in...
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Veteran buttoned-down LAPD detective Roger Murtaugh is partnered with unhinged cop Martin Riggs, who—distraught after his wife's death—has a death wish and takes unnecessary risks with criminals at every turn. The odd couple embark on their first homicide investigation as partners, involving a young woman known to Murtaugh with ties to a drug and prostitution ring.
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In the opening chase, Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh stumble across a trunk full of Krugerrands. They follow the trail to a South African diplomat who's using his immunity to conceal a smuggling operation. When he plants a bomb under Murtaugh's toilet, the action explodes!
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Archetypal buddy cops Riggs and Murtaugh are back for another round of high-stakes action, this time setting their collective sights on bringing down a former Los Angeles police lieutenant turned black market weapons dealer. Lorna Cole joins as the beautiful yet hardnosed internal affairs sergeant who catches Riggs's eye.
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In the combustible action franchise's final installment, maverick detectives Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh square off against Asian mobster Wah Sing Ku, who's up to his neck in slave trading and counterfeit currency. With help from gumshoe Leo Getz and smart-aleck rookie cop Lee Butters, Riggs and Murtaugh aim to take down Ku and his gang.
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A slightly unhinged former Navy SEAL lands a job as a police officer in Los Angeles where he's partnered with a veteran detective trying to maintain a low stress level in his life.
