History Characters / Diehard

* TheHero: Despite being an AntiHero, a major part of [=McClane's=] character is that he's less interested in defeating his opponents than protecting innocent people and preventing major disasters. In the first film, he repeatedly gives his opponents chances to surrender, and wants the LAPD to take over and find a solution to the conflict that won't end with a pile of bodies. He only takes action when there are no other options.

!!!'''Appearances:''' ''Film/DieHard'' | ''Film/DieHard2'' | ''Film/DieHardWithAVengeance" (voice) | ''Film/LiveFreeOrDieHard'' (photo)

!!!'''Appearances:''' ''Film/DieHard'' | ''Film/DieHard2''

%%* TheMafiya

* DiabolicalMastermind: He seems like this at first fitting his role as the BigBad [[spoiler:at least his assumed role]].

* LackOfEmpathy: When the hackers put up the first video message, his only reaction is that he tried to put in more Nixon.

* WhatTheHellHero: Makes clear to Al that he will chew out John for [[spoiler: Ellis's death]]. When John makes it out of the building with Holly, Robinson tries doing just that, only for [[spoiler: Karl to turn out to be NotQuiteDead]].

* MeaningfulName: Johnson is a name for government stooge. It's also a euphemism for a dick, [[ADickInName in the "obstructive asshole" sense]].

* SmugSmiler: Is always smiling when he thinks he's got the upper hand. In fact, the last thing he's seen doing is smiling, albeit a bit more forced since he just failed to deliver on his promise of getting John to give up.

* DeathByIrony: He dies when his getaway plane explodes while he and his men celebrate their supposed victory, in a manner that resembles how he crashed a plane full of innocent passengers who were unaware of the danger until right before their deaths.

* RememberTheNewGuy: He's apparently been John's boss for some time, likely before the events of the first film, but he wasn't referenced until the plot kickstarts and he's forced into action to bring [=McClane=] onboard. In fairness, the first two films take place outside NY, and in the second film,[=McClane=] is with the LAPD. It can be surmised that when [=McClane=] and Holly had their martial troubles, he moved back to New York and back into his former position under Cobb's command, which is why he wasn't seen or referenced before this film.

* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: Gives McClane one in their fight and ends up on the receiving end after McClane manages to trip him.

* SuperStrength: He throws McClane around by grabbing ''one motherfucking'' leg.

* MadeOfIron: [=McClane=] stabs a big sharp piece of metal into his leg and it does nothing to him.

* HateSink: He's a massive {{Jerkass}}, continually assumes Powell is wrong, distrusts [=McClane=], and generally acts as though he has the IdiotBall in his pocket at all times. Admittedly, he does get better in a few instances, particularly when the FBI agents arrive and prove themselves to be bigger assholes than he is.

* SharpDressedMan: Hans notices in the elevator how nice Mr. Takagi's suit is:

* TooCleverByHalf: Hans is undeniably very smart but he's still well short of the effortlessly brilliant, cultured renaissance man he clearly thinks of himself as being, with his attempts at showing off his historical intellect just highlighting the gulf. One of the few times he ever gets genuinely angry is when Holly points out that for all his posturing, he's ultimately just a thief.

%%* CombatPragmatist: Grabs [=McClane=]'s pistol during their fight and shoots him in the shoulder with it.

* HotBlooded: ''And then some''!

* PoliceAreUseless: Robinson dismisses much of John's intel, and complains about John's interference even though John wouldn't be interfering if his concerns were taken seriously.