The film industry has created plenty of memorable characters who usually hold down jobs as detectives, lawyers, politicians, one-man armies, and even alien-slaying space marines. But even in their universes, someone must have built and designed the furniture, homes, and spaceports they live, scheme, and fight in. Sometimes, the carpenters in a TV show or movie seem to be tougher, smarter, and overall craftier than the supposed heroes of the story. In their honor, here’s a short list of the best carpenter characters in film and TV. More than likely, if you asked these guys if you could borrow a tool, they’d not only have it in their workshop, but they’d probably take over the job for you and do it better besides.
Mister Geppetto
Presented as a kindly shopkeeper, carpenter, or woodcarver in most of his appearances in fiction, Geppetto is best remembered as the man who carved a block of wood into a puppet, then wished on a shooting star that it would turn into a real boy. The Blue Fairy was listening and granted his wish, though the puppet, better known as Pinocchio, turns out to be kind of a lazy and good-for-nothing kid.
Though Pinocchio runs away from home and goes on his own adventures (usually getting in a bit of trouble in the process), Geppetto remains a loving father and travels the world in search of his puppet son. When Pinocchio wises up and saves Geppetto from a giant whale, the Blue Fairy turns him into a real boy. Geppetto, being a mensch, forgives his boy, and they live happily ever after.
Mutt Schitt
Turning up in the Canadian Netflix Series Schitt’s Creek, the unfortunately named but ruggedly handsome Mutt appears to be a man of many talents—carpentry among them. Living in a rehabbed barn and romancing his way through the ladies of his namesake town, Mutt is also a farmer of sorts. His peddling of certain herbs ends up getting him arrested and sentenced to community service with the lovely and ebullient Alexis Rose. A brief romance occurs, during which Mutt helps Alexis’ brother David build a fantastic cedar chest. But “Muttlexis” is not to be, and the character eventually leaves the show in search of greener pastures.
Ron Swanson
Life imitates art and vice versa with Parks and Recreation’s character Ronald Ulysses Swanson. A fighter, outdoorsman, survivalist, scout leader, libertarian, and great lover of both women and meat byproducts, Ron is a man’s man, as he’s absolutely brimming with testosterone and macho in a cool and confident way. Not only is he one of the best carpenter characters in film and TV, but he’s played by actor and real-life carpenter and woodworker Nick Offerman.
Like Ron, actor Nick Offerman knows his way around a woodworking shop. He owns the Offerman Woodshop in Los Angeles along with a collective of other woodworkers and carpenters, knows what to do with a live-edge wood slab, and has been known to identify several types of wood by smell alone.
Van Rundell is a writer and author who specializes in transportation, travel, guidance, health & fitness. With over 10 years of experience in the industry as a driver and an entrepreneur, he has seen it all. His tone is professional but friendly with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. In past, he has been advising, educating and writing about transport for the public and professionals alike.
A qualified fitness instructor with over 5 years’ experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Van brings his deep knowledge of health and exercise science to his articles on health & fitness.
