Meatless, cruelty-free, and fictional: here is a deep search for better herbivorous representation through the best vegan characters in film and TV.
Vegetarianism, at least as a character trait, receives at least moderate representation on big and small screens, while veganism and vegan characters tend to be more stereotypical. We’ve done a deep dive in search of the best vegan characters in film and TV who are worth looking up to and not just punchlines. We went by the best evidence and behavior of these characters who claim to follow the vegan lifestyle.
Temperance “Bones” Brennan
For 12 seasons, forensic anthropologist Temperance “Bones” Brennan and FBI agent Seeley Booth solved multiple murders by investigating the mostly skeletal remains of the victims. Temperance the character espoused a vegetarian lifestyle, while the actress who plays her, Emily Deschanel, is a devoted vegan. Still, one imagines the highly rational and health-conscious “Bones” being vegan herself.
Bruce Banner
The Incredible Hulk is green enough to remind one of a plant, but the character’s scientist secret identity has canonically been made vegan. Always attempting to keep himself healthy as part of his effort to keep his cool, Bruce Banner sticks to non-animal-based foods. As it turns out, the actor currently connected with the role, Mark Ruffalo, also maintains a vegan diet.
The Vegan Police
The who? In Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Todd Ingram is one of the titular Scott’s “evil exes,” who challenges Scott to mortal combat. Superpowered due to his veganism (as his current girlfriend and Scott’s ex-girlfriend, Envy Adams, explains, “Vegans are just better than everyone else”), Todd gets the upper hand. Nevertheless, he loses his powers when the Vegan Police show up. Seems Todd was cheating with half and half, gelato, and chicken parm, so they expose him to a “Deveganizing Ray.” Good work, guys.
Norville “Shaggy” Rogers
Yes, Scooby-Doo’s best buddy. Turns out the supernatural-threat-fighter and slacker’s original voice actor Casey Kasem was vegan and pro-animal rights. He approached the show’s producers and insisted Shaggy be vegan or else he’d walk. Scooby Snacks must be cruelty-free. Mr. Spock Fans still debate whether the Starship Enterprise officer was vegetarian or vegan, but it seems likely it was the latter. Culturally, he and his race, the Vulcans, abstained from violence, senseless killing, and inhumane treatment of other creatures in their desire to live a more logical lifestyle
There’s our round-up of the best vegan characters in film and TV. Hopefully, with greater acceptance of the benefits of veganism, there’ll be more in the future!
