Quentin Tarantino has cemented himself as one of the greatest directors in the history of cinema, and each of his 10 feature films has developed a sizable cult following upon their release. While his filmmaking talents are exceptional across all areas, it's undeniable that his ability to create unique, charismatic characters plays a huge role in the success of his movies.

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There are a few main characters from Tarantino's works who have resonated with fans to such a degree that they have become iconic. Accordingly, they each deserve acknowledgment for their impact on not just Tarantino's filmography, but also on the cinematic medium in general.

10 Stuntman Mike Carries An Otherwise Lackluster Movie

Death Proof

Kurt Russell smiling in Death Proof

Although Death Proof might not be as well known as some other titles in the Tarantino library, the endearing 2007 film is a fun allusion to the exploitation films of the 1960s and '70s. The action-thriller centers around Stuntman Mike, an aging stunt double who has developed a habit of killing young women with his modified automobiles.

Kurt Russell expertly brings his character to life, and although Quentin Tarantino considers Death Proof to be the worst film he's ever directed, its main character wasn't part of the problem. The captivating Stuntman Mike was perfect for showcasing Russell's talents and almost certainly played a role in the actor's appearances in later Tarantino films.

9 Jackie Revitalized Pam Grier's Career

Jackie Brown

Jackie Arrives At The Airport In Jackie Brown

Long before Quentin Tarantino decided to engage with the exploitation-thriller genre by releasing Death Proof, he was shocking audiences worldwide with his reimagining of the blaxploitation film era, Jackie Brown. Starring Pam Grier as the titular main character, Jackie Brown, the film showed that Tarantino was capable of producing incredibly entertaining films.

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As women have continued to occupy more and more leading roles, Jackie Brown's legacy has only grown stronger. Pam Grier's career was rightfully revitalized by her stunning performance in the film, which cemented her as one of the best characters to ever appear in Tarantino's library.

8 Major Marquis Warren Is One Of Samuel L. Jackson's Best Performances

The Hateful Eight

Marquis Wyatt, protagonist of Quentin Taratino's film, The Hateful Eight

Samuel L. Jackson is inseparable from the Tarantino catalog, having appeared in the majority of the unique director's films. However, out of all these appearances, Jackson's portrayal of bounty hunter Marquis Warren in The Hateful Eight is easily among his best in a leading role.

As a former Major for the Union during the Civil War, Warren possesses the perfect background to survive the ultra-violent, outlaw-filled landscape of the Reconstruction-era United States. Excellent writing complemented Jackson's natural chemistry with his director and played a huge part in the success of the entire film.

7 Cliff Booth Captures The Spirit Of The 1970s

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

Bradd Pitt as Cliff Booth driving a yellow car in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Quentin Tarantino has thoroughly established his love for Americana over the years, with many of his films using historical events as a point of reference in their presentation. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood serves as a perfect example of this, as it utilizes a fictional depiction of the Sharon Tate murder to form the backdrop for aging stuntman Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) and his journey through the movie.

Despite his storied career, Pitt's performance as Booth is as good as any in his extensive list of credits. The smooth-talking, soon-to-retire stuntman perfectly parallels the career position of his actor, a synergy that undoubtedly helped Pitt secure an Academy Award for his depiction of the character.

6 Mr. Blonde Is Tarantino's Most Vile Main Character

Reservoir Dogs

Mr. Blonde (played by Michael Madsen) as he appears in Reservoir Dogs

Every great filmmaker gets their start somewhere, and in the case of Quentin Tarantino, that start is the beloved 1992 classic Reservoir Dogs. The film's exaggerated tone and brutal violence introduced audiences to the director's trademark style and were it not for its compelling depiction of Mr. Blonde, Tarantino may have never become the legend that he is today.

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Mr. Blonde, played by Michael Madsen, presents himself very similarly to the charismatic, violent characters who would come to define many of Tarantino's best films. However, even among these dangerously volatile characters, Mr. Blonde's cruelty, exemplified by his infamously brutal torture scene, is in a league of its own.

5 Vincent Vega Brought John Travolta Back To The Limelight

Pulp Fiction

John Travolta as Vincent looking into his briefcase while smoking a cigarette in Pulp Fiction

While Tarantino's first film (Reservoir Dogs) was a modest success, his second film, Pulp Fiction, was incredibly popular. The movie took audiences by storm, establishing its director as a force to be reckoned with and launching multiple of its cast members into superstardom.

In particular, John Travolta, whose career had slowed down significantly during the late '80s, benefited from his portrayal of Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction. The eclectic dialogue of the film lent itself well to Travolta's eccentric nature, and without Vega's strange, comically thought-provoking musings, Pulp Fiction would have been a different experience.

4 Aldo Raine Injected Tarantino's Influence Into WWII

Inglorious Basterds

Aldo Raine in Inglourious Basterds

Inglorious Basterds is yet another case of Quentin Tarantino recreating a historical period in his violence-heavy filmmaking style. The movie focuses on the exploits of Aldo Raine and the Basterds, a group of Nazi hunters operating behind enemy lines in World War II-era Germany.

Given the setting of Inglorious Basterds, many of its characters speak with strong, European accents. This helps the Tennessee-born, coal-mining Raine and his antiquated, American accent stand out from his peers. It casts even more spotlight on the wonderful performance provided by his actor, Brad Pitt.

3 Django's Impact On American Culture Can't Be Understated

Django Unchained

Django Watches Candyland Burn In Django Unchained

Jamie Foxx is no stranger to starring roles, but even by his standards, Django Unchained was a huge opportunity. The film explores the Antebellum South as Foxx's character, Django, attempts to escape the bindings of slavery and reunite with his long-lost wife. This serves as a precursor to the environment seen in Tarantino's following release, The Hateful Eight.

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Due to Django Unchained's racially-charged subject matter, there was a notable swell of controversy surrounding its release. Accordingly, this meant that a lot of eyes would be judging Foxx's performance, as well as the moral integrity of the film in general. Thankfully, the actor turned in what is arguably the best performance of his entire career, solidifying his and Django's spot in the annals of cinematic history.

2 The Bride Became A Cultural Icon

Kill Bill

The Bride prepares to fight with a katana in Kill Bill

To many critics, Pulp Fiction was destined to be the height of Tarantino's career. However, his two-part film, Kill Bill: Volume 1 and 2, completely flipped this script on its head. This is mostly thanks to Uma Thurman's portrayal of its assassin-protagonist, the Bride.

Thurman previously starred in Pulp Fiction. While she was working on that film, she and Tarantino spawned the idea that would eventually develop into the narrative of Kill Bill. The director, Thurman, and her daughter all spent significant time with one another during its development, allowing Tarantino to adapt the katana-wielding character to her real-life counterpart. Uma Thurman's performance in other works may be fantastic, but it is her ability to embody the Bride that truly stands out as her highest achievement.

1 Jules Winnfield Made Pulp Fiction An All-Time Classic

Pulp Fiction

Samuel L. Jackson as Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction

Before Samuel L. Jackson's appearance in Pulp Fiction, the actor was solid but underutilized. With over 30 film appearances at that point, Jackson seemed destined for a career of playing minor characters. However, thanks to Quentin Tarantino's ability to recognize talent, he wrote an entire character around Jackson, Jules Winnfield.

Jules is the scripture-spouting, gun-toting criminal who accompanies Vincent Vega for most of the film. Thanks to Jackson's performance, the character stands out as one of the highest achievements in cinematic history. There is a natural synergy between Winnfield and Jackson that is impossible to recreate, making it unlikely that Tarantino will be able to top it for quite some time.

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