I love a bad ass. I do.
Bad ass Russell
Always wanted to be one. Failed miserably at it. But I love them in the movies and books. And I especially like to write them as characters. Real life bad asses give me inspiration.
In my one book my MC lets his mean foster father go up in flames, drinks, gets off with prostitutes, but has a sweet spot for the weak and gets his butt kicked trying to be a hero. Who gives me inspiration to write this guy?
The ultimate bad ass. Russell Crowe. He kicks butt gladiator style in the movies and real life at times. He doesn’t care what you think of him. Piss off, mate. As Maximus said, “are you NOT entertained?!”
Russell kicking butt gladiator style
Let’s see if Russell fits in to the Urban Dictionary’s description of a bad ass:
The epitome of the American male. He radiates confidence in everything he does, whether it’s ordering a drink, buying a set of wheels, or dealing with women. He’s slow to anger, brutally efficient when fighting back. The bad ass carves his own path. He wears, drives, drinks, watches, and listens to what he chooses, when he chooses, where he chooses, uninfluenced by fads or advertising campaigns.
Cool and mysterious
Yep, that’s Russell all right.
He lives his roles in real life. “If you’re gonna be a pirate, wear a patch,” has been his motto.
Then there’s the claims he threatened to kill a “Gladiator” producer with his bare hands and described the climactic scene of the film, for which he won an Oscar for best actor, as “sh*t.” And the many public fights under his belt. Let’s not forget biking and smoking while eating fast food – now that’s bad ass.
Biking + smoking = bad ass
How can you attain bad ass status?
Forget about societies rules and conventions. Nothing illegal but step away from “normal”.
Be honest all the time. Speak your mind anytime it is necessary.
Master the art of brooding. James Dean had it. And yep, Russell’s got it.
Be mysterious. The more people know about you the more normal you are.
Have a bad ass look. Wear all black and cool sunglasses. Be a tad unshaven.
Be physically fit. Shoot a gun, ride a motorcycle, drive a stick, hold your own in a fight. Be intimidating.
Have a soft heart for the weak. Back to Russell and Robin Hood. A bad ass always sticks up for the underdog.
Get bad ass hobbies. Ride a motorcycle. Smoke. Play in a band. Throw out a good curse when necessary. (Russell. Russell. Russell. Russell…ok, I am not advocating smoking only that bad asses do it)
Be ready for anything. Most bad asses carry a knife. You gotta be handy with the steel.
Walk with a swagger that says “I don’t care what you think about me, and that’s how I know you want me.”
A good brood = sexy
Have a mean stare. Cross your arms whenever you can. And never lean against anything.
Always be nice, until it’s time to be mean. In the words of Patrick Swayze from Roadhouse, “be nice until it’s time to not be nice.” Rest in peace, Patrick.
So there’s my bad ass for today. More to come. Cause I like em’ bad.
Who’s your favorite bad ass?
Donna Galanti, Author 
I love this post! Russell Crowe’s a definite bad ass. Samuel Jackson without a doubt is a bad ass. Love him. Johnny Depp *sigh* & Daniel Craig too – but not my fav.
As far as characters, I love it went the ultimate bad ass character does the unthinkable – and shocks all other characters (the book dropping moments.)
HI Mina, thanks for stopping by. Glad you enjoyed. Oh, you are right on with Samuel Jackson, need another post on him! I adore Daniel Craig myself and Johnny Depp, in some movies. I love your comment on when the ultimate bad ass does the unthinkable – I think we can have our main character’s (non-bad ass) do the same!
Fun post, Donna! I have to say, although I’ve always been intrigued by the bad-ass, it’s the mysterious stranger that I am more attracted to. That or a fantastic Irish or Scottish accent. Really, doesn’t take much.
Jess, thanks for posting. Yes, i love the mysterious stranger too. And Irish or Scottish accents always lure me – probably why I just adore Sean Connery! He’s still got it going on, even though officially retired. The best James Bond, cruel and sensuous.
Sweet James McAvoy for me. 🙂
Jess – LOL!!! I like the cruel Scots, you like the sweet Scots.
Ah, but that’s the entertaining thing about the ‘bad-ass,’ it’s the exterior perspective on them. Inside they can be tormented, they can be very sympathetic and even emotional but from the outside people see someone cold, determined and brutal. Look at Eric Balfour’s character in Haven.
Phillip, thanks for commenting. You are right! The bad-ass has such layers to him that are so fun to peel back and keep some hidden from the public eye. We, as the author, can show what we want to show to drive the reader to be empathetic of him even with the awful things he can do.
Between the two of us, we’ll have the best of ’em!