History Main / DevilInDisguise

* In ''Series/TheTwilightZone'' the Devil and his underlings usually appear in the guise of ordinary people. In "The Howling Man" he appears to be some poor guy who's been imprisoned by an apparently crazy monk, but when someone takes pity and releases him his horns and tail reappear.

* In ''Literature/MyVampireOlderSisterAndZombieLittleSister'', it's revealed that Lilith, the queen of succubi, is none other than [[spoiler:the main character Satori's stepmother. Though she's not, strictly speaking, a villain

* In ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarIV'', you are accompanied for the span of one dungeon by an adventurer named Seth. While his name doesn't really say anything of what he really is, using the Talk command from the menu gives subtle hints, and his abilities (most, if not all of which were used in previous fights by [[spoiler: Dark Force]]) are almost a dead give away if you are paying attention. "Seth" is also the name of the ancient egyptian god of darkness, as well as the father of all mankind in Judeo-Christian mythology.

* Mr. Anon from ''Roleplay/OpenBlue'' is a case where the name isn't quite obvious. Indeed, it doesn't even seem to mean anything, and isn't even shorthand for Anonymous. The clue for GenreSavvy [=RPers=], however, are his catchphrases, tendency to [[ShoutOut ask people to guess his name]], and favorite activity of [[DealWithTheDevil making deals with people]].

* Mr. Anon from ''OpenBlue'' is a case where the name isn't quite obvious. Indeed, it doesn't even seem to mean anything, and isn't even shorthand for Anonymous. The clue for GenreSavvy [=RPers=], however, are his catchphrases, tendency to [[ShoutOut ask people to guess his name]], and favorite activity of [[DealWithTheDevil making deals with people]].

->''You look like an angel\\

You're the devil in disguise''
-->--'''Music/ElvisPresley''', "(You're the) Devil in Disguise"

* The mysterious stranger in ''VideoGame/RedDeadRedemption'' never actually identifies himself (he claims, in a possibly sarcastic tone, to have forgotten his name,) but he appears in locations that such a SharpDressedMan has no business in being, knows a huge amount about John's past (including the name of one of the random civilians John's gang killed in their outlaw days), calls himself "an accountant, in a way", and in their third encounter John gets fed up and demands answers or "[he] will not be responsible for [his] actions" he calmly tells him "Oh, but you will be responsible". John then shouts "Damn you!", the man replies "Yes, many have", doesn't seem to notice the three bullets John shoots at him and then just vanishes. [[spoiler: This is after a conversation where he muses over what a beautiful spot they're at, which is right where John later gets buried.]] It's not clear who exactly he is; common interpretations are that the man is God, St Peter, Death, or, of course, the Devil.

-->--'''Music/ElvisPresley'''

* The wizard [[spoiler:Pralaya]] in ''The Wizard's Dilemma'' (Diane Duane's YoungWizards series) is "overshadowed" by the Lone Power (meaning, possessed by the Devil, basically).

* In ''VideoGame/HellgateLondon'', the story's narrator / hero's sidekick Murmur turns out to be [[spoiler: the Duke of Hell with the same name]]. To be fair, the name's a lot more subtle that Lou Cypher, and isn't likely to mean anything to players without a background in demonology mythology/MegaTen fan.

[[folder: Anime and Manga ]]

* Xellos from ''{{Slayers}}''. Among his AlwaysChaoticEvil kind he's the most powerful one not counting godlike Dark Lords, but prefers to use manipulation rather than violence. Two most powerful Dark Lords died from consequences of one of them employing Xellos against the other -- the second strongest managed to injure him in one-on-one battle, but he still got away. He's also [[NobleDemon honorable in his own way]] and [[AffablyEvil can be a good company]] when he wants. In his world few humans have thorough knowledge of demonology, so he walks among them under his own name and title.
** Not to mention that his ''self-proclaimed'' title is "Mysterious Priest". If people assume "Priest" always means "user of WhiteMagic", it's their fault.

[[folder: Comic Books ]]

* ''{{Welcome to Tranquility}}'' has Funky Freddy Beasel a seemingly ageless radio DJ who turns out to be a satanic demon known as [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep The Host.]]

[[folder: Film ]]

[[folder: Literature ]]

[[folder: Fairy Tales and Mythology ]]

[[folder: Theatre ]]

-->'''Joe''': Who are you?\\
'''Applegate''': I am quite a famous character, Mr. Boyd. I have historical significance, too. In fact, I'm responsible for most of the history you can name.

* Basil Bob in ''TheTempestChronicles''

[[folder: Video Games ]]

[[folder: Web Comics ]]

[[folder: Web Original ]]

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "Lady Bouvier's Lover", Marge's mother goes out dancing with Mr. Burns:
-->'''Mrs. Bouvier:''' I swear, Monty, you're the Devil himself.
-->'''Mr. Burns:''' WHA?!! WHO TOLD Y... oh, er, heh heh...

-->'''Devil Flanders:''' Hey, Bart.
-->'''Bart:''' (nonchalant) Hey.

[[/folder]]

* The mysterious stranger in ''RedDeadRedemption'' never actually identifies himself (he claims, in a possibly sarcastic tone, to have forgotten his name,) but he appears in locations that such a SharpDressedMan has no business in being, knows a huge amount about John's past (including the name of one of the random civilians John's gang killed in their outlaw days), calls himself "an accountant, in a way", and in their third encounter John gets fed up and demands answers or "[he] will not be responsible for [his] actions" he calmly tells him "Oh, but you will be responsible". John then shouts "Damn you!", the man replies "Yes, many have", doesn't seem to notice the three bullets John shoots at him and then just vanishes. [[spoiler: This is after a conversation where he muses over what a beautiful spot they're at, which is right where John later gets buried.]] It's not clear who exactly he is; common interpretations are that the man is God, St Peter, Death, or, of course, the Devil.

* Applegate from ''Theatre/DamnYankees''. Referencing, of course, ''[[HowDoYouLikeThemApples that particular apple]]'', the first temptation of man; [[TheVamp Lola]] is one of his newer ones.

* The mysterious stranger in RedDeadRedemption never actually identifies himself (he claims, in a possibly sarcastic tone, to have forgotten his name,) but he appears in locations that such a SharpDressedMan has no business in being, knows a huge amount about John's past (including the name of one of the random civilians John's gang killed in their outlaw days), calls himself "an accountant, in a way", and in their third encounter John gets fed up and demands answers or "[he] will not be responsible for [his] actions" he calmly tells him "Oh, but you will be responsible". John then shouts "Damn you!", the man replies "Yes, many have", doesn't seem to notice the three bullets John shoots at him and then just vanishes. [[spoiler: This is after a conversation where he muses over what a beautiful spot they're at, which is right where John later gets buried.]] It's not clear who exactly he is; common interpretations are that the man is God, St Peter, Death, or, of course, the Devil.

* In ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'', The Hidden Secret Reports reveal that [[spoiler: Sanae Hanekoma is a fallen angel that gave the taboo powers to Sho Minamimoto]]. Although technically, the TWEWY cast is not alive at all.

* This trope was invoked in ''TheLastTemptationOfChrist'', during Jesus's final temptation while on the cross. A young girl introduces herself as an angel, says that Jesus has done enough, and offers him an escape from the cross. This girl accompanies as a friend him through a happy life with a wife and children. But this friend is actually Lucifer, and these years after escaping the cross were AllJustADream to tempt Jesus into abandoning his role as SacrificialLion. As soon as Jesus rebukes this temptation, the illusion ceases and he instantly returns dying on the cross, accepting it as his destiny.
* John Milton in ''TheDevilsAdvocate''.

* In ''AshesToAshes'' [[spoiler:DCI Jim Keats]] - who appeared to be a helping hand to Alex - is revealed to be the Devil in the GrandFinale. Gene Hunt possibly knew this right from the first episode of Season 3.

* This trope was invoked in ''TheLastTemptationOfChrist'', during Jesus's final temptation while on the cross. A young girl introduces herself as an angel, says that Jesus has done enough, and offers him an escape from the cross. This boy accompanies as a friend him through a happy life with a wife and children. But this friend is actually Lucifer, and these years after escaping the cross were AllJustADream to tempt Jesus into abandoning his role as SacrificialLion. As soon as Jesus rebukes this temptation, the illusion ceases and he instantly returns dying on the cross, accepting it as his destiny.

-->--'''ElvisPresley'''

* In ''ScaryGoRound'', it is revealed that [[spoiler: Ryan's friend Ralph]] is actually the devil rather than the figure that the comic had presented as such.

SuperTrope to LouisCypher, which is a trope where he leaves rather obvious hints as to his identity.

** Miss Devlin in "Of Late I Think of Cliffordville", although she drops the act (if not the form) once the protagonist figures out who she is

** Pip from "A Nice Place to Visit" is Satan, or at least one of his demons, disguised as a guardian angel... who looks human.
** Professor Daemon from "The Chaser" ''might'' be this trope

* [[spoiler: The Leading Player]] in ''{{Pippin}}''.
* Applegate from ''DamnYankees''. Referencing, of course, ''[[HowDoYouLikeThemApples that particular apple]]'', the first temptation of man; [[TheVamp Lola]] is one of his newer ones.

'''Applegate''': I am quite a famous character, Mr. Boyd. I have historical significance, too. In fact, I'm responsible for most of the history you can name.\\
(Later, a passing stranger asks him, "Are you anybody?" He replies, "Not a soul.")

* [[spoiler:The Man]] from ''TalesOfMU''.

[[folder: Live Action TV ]]

* In one episode of ''QuantumLeap'', Sam discovers that the "Al" who has been advising him is a fake, and is actually the Devil. OrWasItADream?
* UltramanNexus: Dark Zagi disguises himself as one of the human characters until his body is fully restored in the last episode.
* In ''TheTwilightZone'' the Devil and his underlings usually appear in the guise of ordinary people. In "The Howling Man" he appears to be some poor guy who's been imprisoned by an apparently crazy monk, but when someone takes pity and releases him his horns and tail reappear.