Westerns have been a genre that essentially put Hollywood on the map of the world for entertainment genre. It’s primarily a film genre and features a mostly romanticized depiction of the Wild West from the latter half of the 19th century, or early 20th century. In Westerns, there are cowboys, noted for their quick draw of a pistol, and snazzy cowboy hats.
In the depictions of Westerns, there’s always a cowboy that becomes iconic. Whether that’s a gunslinger from the good side of the law or the bad, they’re mostly always memorable and feature iconic characters that are still remembered today.
10 Shane
Shane follows the story of an enigmatic gunslinger with the same name. The titular character rides into a small Wyoming town in the hopes of a peaceful life but soon finds himself drawn into a battle between the innocent town, and a ruthless cattle baron called Rufus Ryker.
The character played by Alan Ladd is charismatic and holds a somber charm. He’s a good man who falls in love and just wants to do what is right for the heart. He’s also a great talent for a gunslinger and makes the sacrifice to leave the life he loves to make sure there are no more guns on the homestead.
9 The Lone Ranger
As a character created for television, The Lone Ranger made a cinematic debut in 1956’s film with the same name. This character has had quite the acclaim in the western genre, and the Lone Ranger, alongside his Native American ally, Tonto, has quite the adventures, all whilst bolstering his iconic phrase “Hi-Yo Silver!”
The film has the Lone Ranger preventing war, as he unravels the true identities behind the mysterious raids on white settlers by Indians. He works alongside Tonto, Chief Red Hawk, and other cowboys to ensure the Wild West receives proper justice.
8 Woody
To many children, their first depiction of a cowboy may be from the toy Woody, as seen in Disney Pixar’s Toy Story franchise. This rootin’-tootin’ cowboy was the lead alongside Buzz Lightyear, who recently got his film, Lightyear (2022). Woody is played wonderfully by Tom Hanks.
As a toy, Woody’s arms and legs flail when he runs, and he is no stranger to a cowboy catchphrase. He can utilize his pull-string as a lasso and also walk like a great cowboy. He’s a fun character who embodies the spirit of westerns in this animated film.
7 Boba Fett
Ever since the 1980s The Empire Strikes Back, fans of the Star Wars franchise have been enthralled by one character in particular: Boba Fett. This character certainly would not fail the silhouette test. Boba Fett was a bounty hunter in the Star Wars universe and a cold one at that. With only 4 lines in the film, Fett proved himself a cool character.
Noted as a space western character, Boba Fett more than deserves his spot as an iconic cowboy. Recently, Fett returned for his own Disney Plus series, titled The Book of Boba Fett, which seeks to explain his doings since he fell into the Sarlaac pit in Return of the Jedi. He acts more like a western sheriff than a bounty hunter in this series but is cool as ever.
6 Marshal Reuben J. Cogburn
First appearing in Charles Portis’ 1968 novel “True Grit”, the character later appeared in a film reboot thanks to Ethan and Joel Coen. The film follows a 14-year-old girl as she embarks to find her father’s killer. She pays a U.S. Marshall to join her quest.
Cogburn is played in the 2010 reboot by Jeff Bridges, the man whose look and voice scream western perfection. Cogburn is presented with stubbornness, and folly of pride, along with a heavy sense of alcoholism. Yet, above all else, he serves justice.
5 Django
With a writer and director like Quentin Tarantino attached, it’s practically impossible not to create an iconic character on the spot. In 2013’s Django Unchained, Jamie Foxx filled the leather boots and rode a saddle into a racist America, to save his enslaved wife alongside his bounty hunter mentor, Dr. King Schultz.
Django is a great lead and a wonderful protagonist. His story of a beaten-down slave, turned talented gunslinger is one of marvel and amazement. Foxx brings his charm to this role, and Django becomes an iconic cowboy in no time, thanks to his wit, talent, and fashion.
4 Ethan Edwards
One of the many well-known names in Hollywood for pioneering the Western genre, John Wayne portrayed Ethan Edwards, the protagonist of the 1956 film, The Searchers. Edwards has notable flaws, as he is prejudiced toward Native Americans and the Comanches, who killed his family and kidnaped his niece.
Edwards’ mission is one of revenge, as he seeks to save his niece and bring vengeance upon those that killed his family. He booms with confidence and abilities with his pistol and is a notable hard-rock and masculine character.
3 Doc Holliday
John Henry Holliday was a real-life gambler, gunfighter, and dentist that was active during the Old West. He is most notable for his abilities as a gunslinger, and the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, in which he fought and killed members of the Cowboy’s outlaw gang.
In 1994’s Tombstone, Holliday is portrayed by the talented Val Kilmer in this historical fictional western, who assists his good friend Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) in bringing justice to his dead family, and the land of Tombstone, Arizona. Holliday is cunning, quick on the draw, and forever your huckleberry.
2 Harmonica
1969’s Once Upon a Time in the West introduced audiences to an outlaw, a mysterious man, and a ruthless cattleman. These characters, each given a wonderful theme from the musical talent of Ennio Morricone, were the pillars of the film, of their traits and talents.
One character that stood out above the rest was the silent, and vengeful Harmonica, played by Charles Bronson. This character was quiet, yet when he spoke, trouble was brewing. His opening line is exciting and action-packed, and his journey is one of a deserved revenge.
1 The Man With No Name
Perhaps the pinnacle of Western characters, The Man with No Name is the anti-hero character played by Clint Eastwood in Sergio Leone’s “Dollars Trilogy”. The character appears in A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. He’s noted for his poncho, which drapes over his shoulder, and his buckskin vest.
Clint Eastwood is a great Hollywood talent, who still makes movies after the age of 90. His Westerns are a class act, thanks to his stellar performance and awesome delivery of lines. A shootout with this character is deadly, as is a battle with his wit, or a staring contest from his cold gaze.