This week, it was announced that Sean Pertwee has been added to the cast of upcoming Fox TV show Gotham, a prequel to the Batman mythos, in the role of faithful butler Alfred Pennyworth. This was the second time in as many months that a new actor has been named for the role of Bruce Wayne's body man—Jeremy Irons will play the character in the 2016 follow-up to Man of Steel, it was revealed last month. Clearly, Alfred is a man in demand.
This shouldn't come as a surprise. Pop culture loves its menservants, and always have; what's not to love about a faithful companion whose very job is to do whatever you tell him to? From Alfred through Downton Abbey's Carlson, we've loved our snooty fictional gentlemen's gentlemen. Here are ten of the best. (If you want it as a slideshow, expand the above shot.)
Reginald Jeeves
From: Jeeves & Wooster
First Appeared: 1915
But What Does He Do? Technically, Jeeves isn't actually a butler—he's a valet, which means he serves one man rather than a particular household or family—but his duties are essentially the same: Take care of Bertie Wooster's day-to-day domestic needs.
Does He Possess The Requisite Snarky Attitude? Oh, yes. Of the many, many things that Jeeves is a master at, the well-placed sarcastic bon mot is most definitely one.
Does He Go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty? Considering the seeming ineptitude with which Wooster approached almost everything in life, simply ensuring that his master didn't bankrupt or injure himself involved tasks far outside of Jeeves' official remit.
Alfred Pennyworth
From: Batman
First Appeared: 1943
But What Does He Do? Officially the butler of the Wayne family, Pennyworth takes care of stately Wayne Manor and those living in it, whether that's simply Bruce Wayne, one of many wards or adopted children or even the occasional girlfriend (Those never end well, though).
Does He Possess The Requisite Snarky Attitude? Although this wasn't the case originally—the early Alfred was impressively sincere in his devotion to "Master Bruce"—Alfred has grown appreciably snarkier in his old age. He wears it very well, it has to be said.
Does He Go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty? Given that he has actually died as a result of his secondary career as Batman's back-up—don't worry, he got better; it's comics, after all —then there's no way to argue that Alfred doesn't give far more than is strictly necessary to his job.
Lynn Belvedere
From: Mr. Belvedere
First Appeared: 1947
But What Does He Do? Most people these days are familiar with the character from the 1980s TV version, but the original incarnation of the character was an author who went undercover as domestic help to research a new novel, a trick he repeated in multiple movie spin-offs. Apparently, that novel needed a lot of research.
Does He Possess The Requisite Snarky Attitude? Without question. It was one of the few ways in which Mr. Belvedere could manage to keep himself going in a world that involved Bob Uecker.
Does He Go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty? No question. When your employers are leaving streaks on the china and dropkicking jackets, you need the patience of a saint.
Edwin Jarvis
From: The Avengers
First Appeared: 1964
But What Does He Do? Originally Tony Stark's personal servant, Jarvis was seconded to take care of those in Avengers Mansion early on in that team's existence and has continued to be responsible for the super team's needs ever since, no matter where they're headquartered.
Does He Possess The Requisite Snarky Attitude? Although Jarvis does enjoy a good joke, it's almost definitely the case that he would feel that snark is beneath both he and his position.
Does He Go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty? Another superhero butler who has suffered for his career—the poor man's been bound and gagged by villains so many times he could give bondage lessons—it's clear that Jarvis is loyal to the point of needing an intervention.
Riff Raff
From: * The Rocky Horror Show*
First Appeared: 1973
But What Does He Do? Officially the assistant/handyman of Frank N. Furter, although that's not particularly descriptive. Think of him as an Igor by another name.
Does He Possess The Requisite Snarky Attitude? "Snark" may not be the right way to describe Riff Raff's sense of humor; it's far more off-kilter and, yes, ghoulish.
Does He Go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty? Only when it comes to big song and dance numbers—this was a butler who ends up killing his employer, after all. But what can you expect from an alien who doesn't understand how these things are supposed to work? (Uh, double spoiler.)
Benson DuBois
From: Soap/Benson
First Appeared: 1977
But What Does He Do? Depending on which show you're watching, Benson is either responsible for running the Tate household (Soap) or the Governor's mansion (The latter spin-off, Benson).
Does He Possess The Requisite Snarky Attitude? Although arguments could be made for Benson being more of a fan of the broad wisecrack than something specifically snarky, he was certainly one to employ sarcasm in making fun of his employers.
Does He Go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty? Just doing his job was exhausting enough—although he did manage to rise from head of the household to Lieutenant Governor of the State.
Max
From: Hart to Hart
First Appeared: 1979
But What Does He Do? Max was a jack of all trades, officially acting as the butler, chef and chauffeur of the globe-trotting millionaire investigators in the Aaron Spelling-produced detective series (and the Adam Scott/Amy Poehler credit sequence remake for adult swim).
Does He Possess The Requisite Snarky Attitude? Definitely not; Max was on the up-and-up from the word go.
Does He Go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty? Although Max tended to stay out of the weekly derring-do of his employers, it wasn't uncommon for him to have to clean up many messes that were far from domestic. When Mr. and Mrs. Hart got together, as he said, it was moidah.
Wadsworth
From: Clue
First Appeared: 1985
But What Does He Do? As he explains in the classic movie, he "butles."
Does He Possess The Requisite Snarky Attitude? Yes, and with good reason: How else could one stay sane with so many people dying all around you?
Does He Go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty? Running around and cleaning up after numerous murders doesn't tend to fall under the heading "every day tasks," so let's just say yes—although, as those familiar with the movie already know, there may be more to Wadsworth than his being a simple butler.
Geoffrey Butler
From: The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
First Appeared: 1990
But What Does He Do? Despite his fine education (Oxford, dontchaknow) and background as an Olympic athlete, Geoffrey nonetheless fled the United Kingdom to find a life of butlering in the U.S. —first for celebrities including Led Zeppelin and Chuck Norris, and then taking care of the Bankses.
Does He Possess The Requisite Snarky Attitude? In many ways a retread of Lynn Belvedere, Geoffrey proudly kept the snark flag flying in the Banks household.
Does He Go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty? Not if he can help it. This was a butler who complained when he had to answer the door.
Charles Carson
From: Downton Abbey
First Appeared: 2010
__But What Does He Do?__Carson is in charge of the pantry, wine cellar, dining room, and male staff at the abbey, but as far as he's concerned, he's also the last line of defense against a moral decay brought on by the modern world.
Does He Possess The Requisite Snarky Attitude? Not in the slightest. Although Carson has a dry sense of humor, he is far too proud to reduce himself to such low forms of humor.
Does He Go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty? Only in his heart—and where Lady Mary is concerned, of course. Although Carson's work is his life, his respect for the position in which he finds himself means that he could never break protocol in such a manner.
