History Main / GentlemanThief

* A [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjyvJL_oGTM commercial]] for Casillero del Diablo wine has a suave thief (played by Creator/PedroPascal) show off some valuables he acquired through various lavish heists. However, he admits legally obtaining his wine, due to legends of the devil protecting Casillero del Diablo's cellar.

He steals for the challenge/pleasure of the job and generally avoids violence while [[KarmicThief restricting his targets to those who can afford the loss]]. More importantly for {{plots}}, the character will often go out of their way to stop more serious crimes--especially with lives at stake--either on their own or with the help of the police. As such they [[ConMenHateGuns often adhere]] to ThouShaltNotKill and/or are {{Technical Pacifist}}s. Murdering your target or stealing from them at gun point is not very gentlemanly. It's not uncommon for the GT to give at least a part of the goods he steals [[JustLikeRobinHood to the poor]], often while very cynically commenting on social injustice and how the rich surely got their wealth with dirty methods, so it's only fair to steal from them and then give to those who need it.

* The illustrious ''Manga/MagicKaito'' (if he isn't too perverted to count) that sometimes appears also in ''Manga/CaseClosed''. He actually has a justifiable cause: his main target is a gem stone that hides a secret that can be seen under moonlight, a secret that cost his father's life as it's also the target of a criminal organization. That's why he almost always targets famous gem stones.

*** There's also Walter Hardy, father of the ComicBook/BlackCat. Unfortunately, he's something of a subversion in that he keeps retiring because he causes more harm than he intends to. In regular comics continuity and the 90s cartoon, he's tricked into working for Nazis and nearly gets them a SuperSoldier formula. In ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'', he became TheAtoner after killing [[spoiler:Uncle Ben]] in a moment of weakness.

* Fingers from the ''ComicBook/LuckyLuke'' story by the same name is an odd example who seems to fit but not really represent the same idea... perhaps a [[ParodiedTrope parody]] or [[DeconstructedTrope deconstruction]]. He's an impeccably dressed magician with superficial good manners and suave charm that the ladies automatically love, and as skilled a thief as only a magician can be. He steals things for the sake of doing it and isn't really all that greedy. Yet what he really is is a kleptomaniac with no goal in life who keeps getting into trouble for stealing. One of his problems compared to more straight examples is that he can't help stealing petty things openly.

* Hudson Hawk in ''Film/HudsonHawk'', who sings showtunes to synchronize his robberies.

* Miles Cullen from ''Film/TheSilentPartner'' is a downplayed version of this trope, being more affable and down-to-earth than polite and gentlemanly. He also always dresses a suit, but only because he's a bank teller and his job requires he do so.

* ''Literature/ArseneLupin'', titular thief of the series of short stories and books written by Maurice Leblanc between 1905 and 1939, and five additional volumes written by Boileau-Narcejac in the 1970s. This Gentleman Thief moonlights as a detective. He was the precursor of [[Franchise/LupinIII Arsène Lupin III]], and is pretty much the {{Trope Namer|s}}, as the first collection of short stories on the character is called ''Arsène Lupin: Gentleman Cambrioleur'' (Arsène Lupin: Gentleman Burglar). He's also the TropeCodifier, exhibiting many of the tropes associated with this trope and PhantomThief: {{Calling Card}}s, being a MasterOfDisguise, announcing his crimes ahead of time, fighting evil criminals and displaying a general romantic attitude.

* Flambeau is a clever, strong, joking, and very tall jewel thief of the ''Literature/FatherBrown'' series by Creator/GKChesterton. His name means "''torch''" in French. He liked to use paradoxical disguises (as in ''The Queer Feet''). After several encounters with Father Brown, the trope was deconstructed in "The Flying Stars", in which Father Brown pointed out that he had thoughtlessly left a situation where an innocent person was likely to be blamed for the crime he committed, and persuaded him that it was impossible to remain a honourable outlaw without SlowlySlippingIntoEvil. He then reformed and [[HeelFaceTurn became a private detective]].

* Philip Collin, aka Professor Pelotard, from the various books and short-stories by Frank Heller. One thing that helps make Collin into one of the more memorable gentleman thieves is the fact that his first crimes are the same as his creator's, who, before becoming an author, was a swindler who went into a self-imposed exile in order to escape the Swedish police.

** The Discworld Assassins' Guild has a large proportion of gentleman members; this is because the Guild runs one of the best schools on the Disc, specialist subjects aside, and many upperclass boys get their education there before going on to other careers. It's not all upper-class males, though; the school now has two all-girls houses, and offers scholarships to prospective students who are too poor to pay the fees but show potential to be ''[[PsychoForHire really good at killing people]]''. However, they never ''steal'' anything -- just as they don't expect the Thieves Guild to kill people. There's clear job demarcation.

* Kelsier and his crew from ''Literature/{{Mistborn}}'' by Brandon Sanderson. Breeze however is the culmination of this trope in the group. He lives the fine wines and finer suits, and is the most larcenous of the team, whereas the others are usually a little more hands on and prone to mingling with the skaa.

* Panamon Creel from ''Literature/TheSwordOfShannaraTrilogy'' does an amazing impression of one of these, yet at the core he's far more of an AffablyEvil [[TheHighwayman highwayman]] than he is one of these, and he knows it, putting on the act in an attempt at convincing himself that he hasn't wasted his life.

* In ''Literature/TheIronTeeth'' web serial, the Robin Hood like bandit leader the White Raven is an example of this trope. He was apparently honorable, charming, and rarely killed anyone.

* Dennis Stanton, a RecurringCharacter in ''Series/MurderSheWrote'', was a Gentleman Thief in his first appearance, although in later appearances, he used his skills as an insurance investigator. He worked by three rules: he never steals from anyone who can't afford it, he never steals anything with sentimental value, and he makes sure that everything he steals is insured by the company who refused to pay for his late wife to have a lifesaving operation.

* The Cat from the ''Series/FunkySquad'' episode "Diamond's Are a Cat's Best Friend".

* ''[[Series/ItTakesAThief1968 It Takes a Thief]]'' was about a second generation Gentleman Thief who was caught and given the choice of prison or helping the government. He chose helping the government. Inspired by, though not based upon, the 1955 Cary Grant motion picture ''To Catch a Thief'' (see above). Notable for starring Robert Wagner as the thief and Creator/FredAstaire!!! as his father, who says at the start of every third season episode, "I've heard of stealing ''from'' the government, but stealing ''for'' the government?".

** The main crew plays with this idea. While they always are the Brains, Grifter, Hitter, Hacker, and Thief[[note]]respectively Nathan Ford, Sophie, Elliot Spencer, Hardison, and Parker[[/note]], the victims they are helping never know their roles, and the bad guys are sometimes made to believe that the roles have been switched. Sometimes that's the plan, and sometimes it's in response to a thrown curve-ball. Nathan, as the Brains, does play Gentleman Thief at times, as have the rest of of them every so often. Some of the best episodes come when the team are forced into roles that are far outside their comfort zone.

* Neal Caffrey from ''Series/WhiteCollar'' presents himself like this but comes from a blue collar background and a large payout is his primary motivation for committing crimes. Flashbacks also show that if he is low on funds, he is not above doing basic street-level cons.

* Steve [=McBride=], Creator/JamesMcAvoy's character in Series 1-2 of ''Series/ShamelessUK'', who is also known as a middle class thief. His [[Series/ShamelessUS American counterpart]] also counts, though it's also deconstructed some as his criminal connections also give him (and by extension, the Gallagher family) trouble.

* The Pontiac Bandit in ''Series/BrooklynNineNine'' isn't technically a gentleman, but he's pretty much this trope in almost every other respect (or at least as close as a car thief who only ever jacks Pontiacs can get). He's an incredibly affable, friendly and likeable guy who clearly likes Detective Peralta, the police officer trying to catch him... but who clearly likes playing mind-games with Peralta and outwitting him to get away scot-free even ''more''.

** Zidane from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'', who is a one of the nicest and well adjusted heroes of the entire ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' series despite being a CasanovaWannabe.

** Hawke also falls into this role, at least in Act I where they're doing mercenary work and in the "Mark of the Assassin" DLC where s/he assists a beautiful assassin in stealing a priceless jewel. [[spoiler:Well, not really, but they are trying to recover something valuable]].

* Chat Noir from ''VideoGame/GranblueFantasy'' loves the thrill of the challenge and never acts malicious towards his opponents. He generally tries to play fair by using a calling card to tip off his victims to see if they can beat him. And he looks the appearance right down to the monocle, top hat, and jewel tipped cane.

* Mr. Hyde robs banks, stores and the rich, but he also takes pride in being well dressed and he even has a chivalrous side in ''Webcomic/MKsTheStrangeCaseOfDrJekyllAndMrHyde''.
* The Hourglass of ''Webcomic/WakeOfTheClash'' is a thief of substantial popularity, rivaling that of [[CelebritySuperhero Airstrike]], who’s fans can be seen right beside his, sporting themed merch during heists. He often spouts off cutting one-liners and clever insults at the heroes he faces, and deftly maneuvers his heists to be as flashy as possible. It has been mentioned by the author that Hourglass will often [[https://tapas.io/episode/2012070 play up their fights]] to make their escapades more entertaining to onlookers.

* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Bellamy Samuel Bellamy,]] better known as "Black Sam", achieved a reputation for being known as the "Prince of Pirates", and he even likened himself to Robin Hood, and his crew called themselves "Robin Hood's Men" and sometimes called their captain the "Robin Hood of the Sea". His appearance was that of a tall, strong, well-mannered and very tidy man, by which time he was known as "Black Bellamy". He captured more than 50 ships, and his accumulated wealth is estimated today to be worth $120 million in 2008 dollars. His leadership style was democratic, and he was well-liked by his men. Sadly, his life was cut short when he was killed at age 28 in a shipwreck off the Massachusetts coast.

* ''Creator/WinonaRyder'', oddly enough. She had an [[NeverLiveItDown infamous event where she was arrested for shoplifting]], but generally has a reputation for being a NiceGirl and even the ''cops who arrested and interrogated her'' described her as a "nice lady".

[[folder:Advertising]]
* A 2021 commercial for Casillero del Diablo wine has a suave and elusive thief (played by Creator/PedroPascal) attempt to steal from a wine cellar guarded by the devil, according to legend.
[[/folder]]

** And, on a related note, we have the ''Anime/LupinIIIVsDetectiveConan'' anime special, where Conan chases after Lupin and Co. [[spoiler:and they have to team up to rescue Ran, who's been caught in a massive conspiracy]].
* The illustrious ''Manga/MagicKaito'' (if he isn't too perverted to count) that sometimes appears also in ''Manga/DetectiveConan''. He actually has a justifiable cause: his main target is a gem stone that hides a secret that can be seen under moonlight, a secret that cost his father's life as it's also the target of a criminal organization. That's why he almost always targets famous gem stones.

** ComicBook/{{Gambit}}, from ''Comicbook/XMen'': is a master theft and king of the Thieves Guild of New Orleans.

* Creator/SteveDitko [[DeconstructedTrope deconstructed this trope]] in the ''ComicBook/MrA'' story "Count Rogue". The titular Count Rogue acted AffablyEvil toward his marks (while insulting all of them in his head) as part of a complicated plan [[spoiler:to embarrass a rival at his day job who had been promoted before him]]. Mr. A is the only person who doesn't buy into the mystique of the Count as a noble thief, [[spoiler:except for a burglar who randomly breaks into the Count's home at the end of the story, and gives an oddly on-the-nose NotSoDifferent speech while trying to blackmail his way into a "partnership".]]

* The titular ''Franchise/LupinIII'' is usually portrayed as a chivalrous thief, who only targets those who can afford it, or [[AssholeVictim simply have it coming]]. But it usually isn't long before he ends up revealing [[FunPersonified his playful side]]. Though when it comes to women, he ranges from [[ChivalrousPervert a chivalrous perv]], to a HandsomeLech. DependingOnTheWriter, that is.

Like the ClassyCatBurglar, the Gentleman Thief usually regards the police with a certain amount of disdain and condescension, and frequently leaves behind "{{calling card}}s" announcing who performed the crime; especially confident versions may announce their targets in advance to ensure a challenge. With a WorthyOpponent such as a SympatheticInspectorAntagonist chasing him, they may have a less adversarial relationship, verging at times on friendship such as leaving BigBad crooks behind for him to take the credit arresting (and, particularly when the opponent is of the opposite gender, fraught with [[UnresolvedSexualTension UST]] of the DatingCatwoman variety). They're usually a BadassInANiceSuit, occasionally doing the TuxedoAndMartini look. As he may not enjoy ''actual'' risks, the Gentleman Thief may decide that gambling is beneath him and [[FixingTheGame cheat instead]]. Expect him to do so with sophistication. If he does gamble, expect him to be almost supernaturally lucky, or a tournament-grade player without peers. In many cases, they steal because they can and for the thrill, not out of an actual monetary need (since they are often rich)--though it may be a way to stave off RichBoredom. This is also why they will never give up thievery for simple gambling.

* Assane Diop of Netflix's Lupin. Assane based his thieving style to the original literary character of Arsene Lupin.

* ''Series/WonderWoman'': Evan Robley in "The Queen and the Thief". He charms the Queen, is hired to steal the [[CoolCrown crown jewels]], is clearly uncomfortable with guns or violence (although he does beg off from confronting Wonder Woman, so it may just be [[PragmaticVillainy pragmatism]]), and joins forces with Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor to foil the evil plot of [[BigBad Ambassador Orrick]]. And is appointed an ambassador for doing so.

* Assane of Netflix's Lupin.

* ''Film/TwentyBucks'': Gentleman Jimmy (Christopher Lloyd) always wears a suit and tie to knock over liquor stores, with lines like: "Good evening, we were just robbing the store, will you both lie down on the floor, please? Right now, please." "Thank you, have a nice evening."

* The film version of ''Film/TheLeagueOfExtraordinaryGentlemen'' boasts the cheeky Cockney rogue Rodney Skinner, 'Genn'lemun Thief', as the Invisible Man, in lieu of the psychotic original Invisible Man, [[Literature/TheInvisibleMan Dr. Hawley Griffin]]. Skinner apparently stole Griffin's invisibility formula. He kind of [[SubvertedTrope fails at]] the whole [[LovableSexManiac "gentleman"]] part. [[LovableRogue But he's adorable anyway]]. He's kind of a CompositeCharacter; he has the powers of Dr Griffin, who was a SociopathicHero at ''best'' and would have made it nigh-impossible to avoid an M-rating without toning down his character a bit,[[note]]and yes, we know trying to adapt one of Creator/AlanMoore's works to the screen while keeping it PG-13 or under is missing the point, but what can you do?[[/note]] and the backstory of [[Literature/{{Raffles}} A.J. Raffles]].

[-[[caption-width-right:350:[[FauxAffablyEvil Hello, Monsieur. I'm just borrowing your jewels. Oh, and your wife. Don't mind if I don't shake hands before departure, I'd hate to take your watch... the last thing you have.]]]]-]

** ComicBook/{{Gambit}}, from ''Comicbook/XMen'': charms the ladies while taking their pocketbooks.

* Gary Karkofsky a.k.a Merciless: The Supervillain without Mercy in ''Literature/TheSupervillainySaga'' is this without the gentleman part. Described by the author as "Hudson Hawk with magic", he's someone who wishes he could rob banks and museums with impunity but constantly gets roped into fighting worse villains instead.

* Phoenix, the male lead in ''Manga/HoneyHoneyNoSutekiNaBouken''. Also the JerkWithAHeartOfGold to the female lead's {{Tsundere}} PluckyGirl.

Like the ClassyCatBurglar, the Gentleman Thief usually regards the police with a certain amount of disdain and condescension, and frequently leaves behind "{{calling card}}s" announcing who performed the crime; especially confident versions may announce their targets in advance to ensure a challenge. With a WorthyOpponent such as a SympatheticInspectorAntagonist chasing him, they may have a less adversarial relationship, verging at times on friendship such as leaving BigBad crooks behind for him to take the credit arresting (and, particularly when the opponent is of the opposite gender, fraught with {{UST}} of the DatingCatwoman variety). They're usually a BadassInANiceSuit, occasionally doing the TuxedoAndMartini look. As he may not enjoy ''actual'' risks, the Gentleman Thief may decide that gambling is beneath him and [[FixingTheGame cheat instead]]. Expect him to do so with sophistication. If he does gamble, expect him to be almost supernaturally lucky, or a tournament-grade player without peers. In many cases, they steal because they can and for the thrill, not out of an actual monetary need (since they are often rich)--though it may be a way to stave off RichBoredom. This is also why they will never give up thievery for simple gambling.

* VideoGame/SlyCooper is a cartoonish, [[TalkingAnimal raccoon]], video game equivalent. He even has his own WorthyOpponent in the form of Carmelita Fox, with whom {{UST}} is a pronounced, recurring theme.

->''"It's a CallingCard from Miles Knightly, a heist artist. AKA a hipster dick whose adventures are 60% putting a crew together and 40% revealing that the robbery already happened and he's not worth our time because he's a HACK PIECE OF SHIT!"''
-->-- ''WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty''

[-[[caption-width-right:350:Hello, Monsieur. I'm just borrowing your jewels. Oh, and your wife. Don't mind if I don't shake hands before departure, I'd hate to take your watch... the last thing you have.]]-]

* Flynn Rider from ''Disney/{{Tangled}}'' starts out as this.