Rooster Cogburn (TRUE GRIT, 1969)

Rooster Cogburn embodies everything a hero should and should not be. He was fearless, but merciless. He says he only shoots in self-defense, yet killed 60 men. It’s despite his vices and his shortcomings that the hero in Cogburn ultimately shines through all the brighter. TRUE GRIT was nominated and won the Oscar for Best Actor.