Difference between revisions of "Rainier Wolfcastle"
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| − | '''Rainier Wolfcastle''' ( | + | '''Rainier [[Luftwaffe]] Wolfcastle''' (voiced by [[Harry Shearer]]) [[is]] [[a]] [[fictional character]] [[feature]]d [[in]] [[the]] [[television]] [[cartoon]] ''[[The Simpsons]]''. |
| − | ==Profile== | + | == Profile == |
| − | An Austrian-accented, musclebound actor, Wolfcastle is | + | An [[Austrian-German|Austrian]]-accented, musclebound actor, Wolfcastle is a parody of actor and politician [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]. His ex-wife, who appeared in one episode, is named Maria Shriver Kennedy Quimby (as in Schwarzenegger's wife [[Maria Shriver]]), and he was seen at a gathering of members of the [[Joe Quimby|Quimby]] family, who are modeled after the [[Kennedy family|Kennedys]]. In the episode ''[[Homerazzi]]'' he remarries '''Maria Shriver Kennedy Quimby'''. |
| − | Wolfcastle is a veteran of many violent action movies, most notably the '''[[ | + | Wolfcastle is a veteran of many violent action movies, most notably "the '''[[List of fictional characters within The Simpsons#McBain|McBain]]''' series which '''does not''' correspond to a 1991 action movie by the same name." It is frequently suggested that his career is on the decline since a movie featuring a "magic ticket" similar to ''[[Last Action Hero]]''. He battles frequently with [[obesity|weight problems]], though tries to pass it off as something he is doing for a role. His films are sometimes critical failures, as [[Jay Sherman]] introduced Wolfcastle in an interview on his TV show as "star of the reprehensible McBain movies" |
| − | According to various ''Simpsons'' episodes, Wolfcastle began his acting career as a child in Austria, appearing on | + | According to various ''Simpsons'' episodes, Wolfcastle began his acting career as a child in [[Austria]], appearing on long [[television commercial]]s advertising [[bratwurst]]. At roughly the same time, he began experimenting with [[bodybuilding]], and his physique earned him a starring role in several [[gay pornography]] films, shelves of which were seen by [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] during one of Wolfcastle's debt-induced [[garage sale]]s. He was also the primary actor on advertisements for "PowerSauce Bars"; bars claiming to boost [[muscle]] growth, but which were in fact a mash of apple cores and Chinese newspapers. |
| − | The character was originally referred to both within the show and by the production team as [[List of fictional characters within The Simpsons#McBain|McBain]], taken from the fictional franchise | + | == Character History == |
| + | The character was originally referred to both within the show and by the production team as [[List of fictional characters within The Simpsons#McBain|McBain]], taken from the role he portrayed in the fictional action film franchise. However, for a short time, ''The Simpsons'' could not use the McBain name because a [[McBain (film)|movie of the same name]] (unrelated to ''The Simpsons'' character) was released in [[1991]]. During this time, the movie's [[film producer|producers]] refused to give [[Twentieth Century Fox]] and [[Matt Groening|Matt Groening's]] production company clearance to use the "McBain" name, so the name of Rainier Wolfcastle was used to sidestep this. Later, the use of "McBain" as both Wolfcastle's alter-ego and continuing series of films returned to the show. | ||
| − | + | Wolfcastle himself can be briefly seen in the angry crowd in [[The Simpsons Movie]]. Arnold Schwarzenegger also appears in the movie as president, drawn almost exactly like Wolfcastle and voiced by Harry Shearer using the Wolfcastle voice. | |
| − | Rainier | + | The name "Rainier" is a spelling variant of ''Rainer'', a common German given name. Also, "Rainier" is a common reference to [[Mount Rainier|Mt. Rainier]], a large [[volcano]] within view of [[Seattle, Washington|Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]]. Most ''Simpsons'' character names come from streets and landmarks near Portland, the hometown of ''Simpsons'' creator [[Matt Groening]].<ref> |
| + | {{Citation | ||
| + | | last1 = Hamilton| first1 = Don | ||
| + | | title = Matt Groening’s Portland | ||
| + | | newspaper = [[Portland Tribune]] | ||
| + | | date = [[2002-07-19]] | ||
| + | | year = 2007 | ||
| + | | url = http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=12392}}</ref> | ||
| − | + | == Jobs == | |
| + | [[Image:Mcbain-mendoza.JPG|thumb|right|Wolfcastle portrays "McBain"]] | ||
| + | Rainier Wolfcastle has, in different ''Simpsons'' episodes, been a presenter at the [[Academy Awards]], a spokesperson for the Powersauce energy bar, a celebrity judge in radio station [[Media in The Simpsons#KBBL|KBBL]]'s contest "How Low Will You Go" (along with [[Krusty the Klown]] and [[Madeleine Albright]]), hosted a short-lived talk show, and appeared on ''[[Inside the Actors Studio]]'' with [[James Lipton]] (in which he kills Lipton after getting into character as McBain). He was married to Maria Quimby in the past, and his daughter [[Greta Wolfcastle|Greta]] dated [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] in the episode, [[The Bart Wants What It Wants]]. He also was co-owner of a [[Planet Hollywood]] spoof, along with "[[Chuck Norris]], [[Johnny Carson]]'s third wife, and the [[Russian mafia]]". | ||
| − | + | Apart from the ''McBain'' series, Wolfcastle also played [[Radioactive Man (The Simpsons episode)|Radioactive Man]] in an ill-fated live-action movie version of the [[comic book]] series. Wolfcastle has also ventured into comedic roles; in one episode he carries Homer in an oversized Snugli for babies, remarking, "I used it to carry [[Rob Schneider]] in the movie ''My Baby is an Ugly Man''." | |
| − | + | == Politics == | |
| + | Rainier Wolfcastle appears to have [[Politics in The Simpsons|political ambitions]], as noted by his candidacy for mayor in the ''[[See Homer Run|recall election]]'' of Mayor [[Mayor Quimby|Diamond Joe Quimby]]. He is a member of the inner circle of the Springfield [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] which meets at Burns's mansion and includes Burns, Krusty, Dr. Hibbert, [[Count Dracula]] and Bob Dole. | ||
| − | In the episode, [[ | + | == Anti-Semitism/Prejudices == |
| + | There is also a hint that he may have some [[anti-semitic]] or [[Neo-Nazi]] views. When [[Krusty the Clown]] says, "I thought I was a self-hating [[Jew]], but it turns out that I'm just an [[anti-semite]]" and nearby Wolfcastle enthusiastically responds, "We have so much to discuss". His lead-in announcer on "Up Late with McBain" dresses in a full SS uniform, complete with Nazi armband. In the episode "[[See Homer Run]]", in a stump speech he refers to himself as being, among other things a "...son of a [http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/2003-08-24-arnold-father_x.htm Nazi]...". Despite his aforementioned involvement in the gay porn industry, Rainier himself may also be [[homophobic]], as evidenced by his accusing an entire audience of being homosexuals after they booed him for describing someone's outfit as making them "look like a homosexual". Wolfcastle has twice been seen campaigning for '''Mayor''' or campaigning for '''Sideshow Bob''' for '''Mayor'''. | ||
| − | + | In the episode, "[[Homerazzi]]", it is revealed that his middle name is [[Luftwaffe]]. | |
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| − | == | + | == See also == |
| − | + | * [[List of characters from The Simpsons|Characters from ''The Simpsons'']] | |
| − | + | * [[List of fictional characters within The Simpsons]] | |
Revision as of 17:09, December 5, 2007
Rainier Luftwaffe Wolfcastle
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Character Information
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Rainier Luftwaffe Wolfcastle (voiced by Harry Shearer) is a fictional character featured in the television cartoon The Simpsons.
Profile
An Austrian-accented, musclebound actor, Wolfcastle is a parody of actor and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger. His ex-wife, who appeared in one episode, is named Maria Shriver Kennedy Quimby (as in Schwarzenegger's wife Maria Shriver), and he was seen at a gathering of members of the Quimby family, who are modeled after the Kennedys. In the episode Homerazzi he remarries Maria Shriver Kennedy Quimby.
Wolfcastle is a veteran of many violent action movies, most notably "the McBain series which does not correspond to a 1991 action movie by the same name." It is frequently suggested that his career is on the decline since a movie featuring a "magic ticket" similar to Last Action Hero. He battles frequently with weight problems, though tries to pass it off as something he is doing for a role. His films are sometimes critical failures, as Jay Sherman introduced Wolfcastle in an interview on his TV show as "star of the reprehensible McBain movies"
According to various Simpsons episodes, Wolfcastle began his acting career as a child in Austria, appearing on long television commercials advertising bratwurst. At roughly the same time, he began experimenting with bodybuilding, and his physique earned him a starring role in several gay pornography films, shelves of which were seen by Homer during one of Wolfcastle's debt-induced garage sales. He was also the primary actor on advertisements for "PowerSauce Bars"; bars claiming to boost muscle growth, but which were in fact a mash of apple cores and Chinese newspapers.
Character History
The character was originally referred to both within the show and by the production team as McBain, taken from the role he portrayed in the fictional action film franchise. However, for a short time, The Simpsons could not use the McBain name because a movie of the same name (unrelated to The Simpsons character) was released in 1991. During this time, the movie's producers refused to give Twentieth Century Fox and Matt Groening's production company clearance to use the "McBain" name, so the name of Rainier Wolfcastle was used to sidestep this. Later, the use of "McBain" as both Wolfcastle's alter-ego and continuing series of films returned to the show.
Wolfcastle himself can be briefly seen in the angry crowd in The Simpsons Movie. Arnold Schwarzenegger also appears in the movie as president, drawn almost exactly like Wolfcastle and voiced by Harry Shearer using the Wolfcastle voice.
The name "Rainier" is a spelling variant of Rainer, a common German given name. Also, "Rainier" is a common reference to Mt. Rainier, a large volcano within view of Seattle, Washington. Most Simpsons character names come from streets and landmarks near Portland, the hometown of Simpsons creator Matt Groening.[1]
Jobs
Rainier Wolfcastle has, in different Simpsons episodes, been a presenter at the Academy Awards, a spokesperson for the Powersauce energy bar, a celebrity judge in radio station KBBL's contest "How Low Will You Go" (along with Krusty the Klown and Madeleine Albright), hosted a short-lived talk show, and appeared on Inside the Actors Studio with James Lipton (in which he kills Lipton after getting into character as McBain). He was married to Maria Quimby in the past, and his daughter Greta dated Bart in the episode, The Bart Wants What It Wants. He also was co-owner of a Planet Hollywood spoof, along with "Chuck Norris, Johnny Carson's third wife, and the Russian mafia".
Apart from the McBain series, Wolfcastle also played Radioactive Man in an ill-fated live-action movie version of the comic book series. Wolfcastle has also ventured into comedic roles; in one episode he carries Homer in an oversized Snugli for babies, remarking, "I used it to carry Rob Schneider in the movie My Baby is an Ugly Man."
Politics
Rainier Wolfcastle appears to have political ambitions, as noted by his candidacy for mayor in the recall election of Mayor Diamond Joe Quimby. He is a member of the inner circle of the Springfield Republican Party which meets at Burns's mansion and includes Burns, Krusty, Dr. Hibbert, Count Dracula and Bob Dole.
Anti-Semitism/Prejudices
There is also a hint that he may have some anti-semitic or Neo-Nazi views. When Krusty the Clown says, "I thought I was a self-hating Jew, but it turns out that I'm just an anti-semite" and nearby Wolfcastle enthusiastically responds, "We have so much to discuss". His lead-in announcer on "Up Late with McBain" dresses in a full SS uniform, complete with Nazi armband. In the episode "See Homer Run", in a stump speech he refers to himself as being, among other things a "...son of a Nazi...". Despite his aforementioned involvement in the gay porn industry, Rainier himself may also be homophobic, as evidenced by his accusing an entire audience of being homosexuals after they booed him for describing someone's outfit as making them "look like a homosexual". Wolfcastle has twice been seen campaigning for Mayor or campaigning for Sideshow Bob for Mayor.
In the episode, "Homerazzi", it is revealed that his middle name is Luftwaffe.
See also
