Character List
Terry Malloy -
Played
by Marlon Brando
The protagonist of the film.
A former prizefighter, Terry is physically strong but shuffles through
most of the film with his hands in his pockets and his collar turned
up. Inside, he's tender and conflicted, as is evident from his anxious
physical behaviors and ineloquent speech. He communicates through
long silences and seething outbursts.
Edie Doyle -
Played
by Eva Marie Saint
The Catholic teacher-in-training
who falls for Terry Malloy. Not familiar with the lifestyle on the
waterfront, she exhibits bravery by choosing to stick around through
a dangerous time. An almost angelic gentle soul who often rescues
stray animals, she sees the good in Terry that nobody else sees.
She walks cautiously and looks around curiously. In many ways, her
utter innocence represents the complete opposite of Terry's street
smarts.
Father Barry -
Played
by Karl Malden
The Catholic priest whose parish
consists of the longshoremen. Like Edie, Father Barry has little
understanding of what happens daily on the docks. But soon he puts
on his heavy overcoat, hat, and white collar, and finds the strength
of his own convictions in applied practice at the docks, rather
than in the safety of the church.
Johnny Friendly -
Played
by Lee J. Cobb
The vocal and corrupt leader
of the Longshoreman's Union. A tough criminal who had to claw his
way to the top, Friendly cannot be described as purely evil. He
demonstrates affection for Terry and Charlie, but he operates by
a different set of rules. He's “friendly” to the men as long as
they're on his side. If they're not, they're in big trouble. He
almost always has a cigar.
Charlie “the Gent” Malloy -
Played by Rod Steiger
Johnny Friendly's
educated right-hand man and Terry's brother. Charlie walks around
in an expensive camel-hair coat that sparks derision from the longshoremen. His
tense eyes betray tremendous anxiety beneath his calm, round face.
Though he's a willing and calculating criminal, he's never able
to hide his deep love for his brother.
Timothy J. “Kayo” Dugan -
Played by Pat Henning
A short,
strong longshoreman who testifies to the Waterfront Crime Commission
and is murdered on the job for it. Dugan's sarcasm and ability to
elucidate the longshoremen's frustration single him out quickly
as a representative for the longshoremen.
Pop Doyle -
Played
by John Hamilton
The elderly stevedore
father of the murdered Joey Doyle. After four decades on the docks,
his face is grizzled and has patches of a white beard. He maintains
a fierce, lock-jawed façade. His only concern for the duration of
the film is the well-being of his daughter, Edie.
Big Mac -
Played
by James Westerfield
The pier boss who dispatches
the work tabs each morning. One of the more vocal members of Johnny
Friendly's gang, Big Mac maintains a stoic facade while insulting
Terry and Charlie and remains steadfastly loyal to Johnny Friendly.
Glover -
Played
by Leif Erickson
A Waterfront Crime Commission
officer. Glover fulfills his official duties in a by-the-books,
workmanlike fashion, but his tall presence also radiates sensitivity.
His gentle questioning of Terry on the rooftops proves his understanding
of Terry's dilemma.
Luke -
Played by
Don Blackman
An African-American longshoreman.
His quiet, reflective demeanor radiates in his silent face. Good
friends with Dugan, Luke respectfully returns Joey's jacket to Edie
after Dugan's death.
Tommy -
Played
by Arthur Keegan
The kid who idolizes Terry and
hangs out in the pigeon coops. His attachment to Terry on the rooftops
reflects Terry's near-childlike innocence when daydreaming or tending
the pigeons.
Tullio -
Played
by former boxer Tami Mauriello
One of Johnny Friendly's
goons. Tullio's round, mask-like face is cold and inexpressive.
Truck -
Played
by former boxer Tony Galento
One of Johnny Friendly's
goons. Truck harasses Father Barry during his speech over Dugan's
body by throwing bananas at him . . . until Terry flattens him with
an uppercut and a hook.
Barney -
Played
by former boxer Abe Simon
One of Johnny Friendly's
goons. An enormous physical presence with an iron jaw and deep voice,
Barney almost resembles a giant.
Mutt -
Played by
John Heldabrand
A local homeless man. Unshaven,
with a tan overcoat, Mutt appears sympathetic, intelligent, and
down on his luck. Well-known around the waterfront, he seems to
know exactly what goes on despite his desperate straits.
Johnny's Banker -
Played
by Barry Macollum
Nicknamed “J.P. Morgan.”
A tight-faced stereotype, Johnny's Banker dresses finely in a wardrobe
that includes sharp hats. Physically, he resembles a weasel in his
thin wiliness.
Gilette -
Played
by Marty Balsam
Glover's assistant from
the Waterfront Crime Commission. Shorter and less vocal than Glover,
Gilette exists primarily as a sarcastic sidekick to his boss.
Joey Doyle -
Played
by Elia Kazan
A young longshoreman murdered for
his testimony to the Waterfront Crime Commission. Joey's shadowed
head from his apartment window is seen only in long shot, then his
body falls from the roof to the ground. His death becomes the ghostly
presence that overrides the film, as well as the spark that kick-starts
all subsequent events.
Mr. Upstairs -
Played
by an uncredited actor
The corrupt leader
who directs Johnny Friendly from afar. Mr. Upstairs's face is never
shown, and we see only the plush estate (with television set and
butler) where he lives.
Jimmy Collins -
Played
by Thomas Handley
Joey Doyle's best friend in
the neighborhood. Jimmy's refusal to speak out even after his best
friend's death illustrates the depth of the longshoremen's silence.
