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The Professor is quite often the least action ready of the team. This may be due to age, infirmity, or just being physically weak. For this reason, the Professor may be left at headquarters while the more able characters handle the physical action. Occasionally, in a two man team, the Professor's teammate is there to specifically act as a bodyguard and handle the physical stuff. Sometimes, this bodyguard may be a government agent.

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The Professor is quite often the least action ready of the team. This may be due to age, infirmity, or just being physically weak. For this reason, the Professor may be left at headquarters while the more able characters handle the physical action.action, possibly acting as MissionControl. Occasionally, in a two man team, the Professor's teammate is there to specifically act as a bodyguard and handle the physical stuff. Sometimes, this bodyguard may be a government agent.
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Trope was cut/disambiguated due to cleanup


--> '''Prof. Farnsworth:''' [[CatchPhrase Good]] [[OhCrap news,]] [[ThisIsGonnaSuck everyone!]] I've taught the toaster to feel love!

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--> '''Prof. Farnsworth:''' [[CatchPhrase [[CharacterCatchphrase Good]] [[OhCrap news,]] [[ThisIsGonnaSuck everyone!]] I've taught the toaster to feel love!

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* Professor Frankly of ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor''.
** Professor E. Gadd from ''VideoGame/LuigisMansion'' also qualifies.

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* Professor Frankly of ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor''.
''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'':
** Professor E. Gadd from ''VideoGame/LuigisMansion'' is a recurring character whose main interest is ghost-hunting in the VideoGame/LuigisMansionSeries and has invented a number of devices dedicated to that task such as the iconic Poltergust line and its accessories, a machine that turns ghosts into portraits and a [[BlobMonster goo version of Luigi]] named Gooigi. Outside of paranormal studies, he has also qualifies.invented [[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPartnersInTime a time machine and an intelligent suitcase,]] [[VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine a Magic Paintbrush and the FLUDD gadget,]] and more. Unfortunately, [[UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom his devices]] have caused trouble on a number of occasions as well as his own [[AbsentMindedProfessor absent-minded tendencies.]]
** Professor Frankly in ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor'' is an old Goomba professor of archaeology who gives Mario information about the Crystal Stars and offers tutorial advice.
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[[quoteright:350:[[Film/BackToTheFuture https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/docbrown_bttf.png]]]]

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[[quoteright:350:[[Film/BackToTheFuture [[quoteright:350:[[Film/BackToTheFuture1 https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/docbrown_bttf.png]]]]

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Crosswicked Murder For The Modern Girl, alphabetized the Literature folder and commented out a couple of ZCEs


* Arbat-Elivat-Estoni from ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}''. His cover story to his crew is that he's a retired professor of technological history. Of course, he's anything but retired, though it's anyone's guess if he was actually a professor, though given his patient personality, it's likely.
* Early example: Merlin of Myth/ArthurianLegend is a magical version.
%% * Professor Adelung in ''Literature/TheDeathOfTheVazirMukhtar''.



* Several novels by Jules Verne, especially ''The Mysterious Island''.
* Early example: Merlin of Myth/ArthurianLegend is a magical version.
* The TropeCodifier, however, is the Literature/ProfessorBranestawm books by Norman Hunter. Branestawm is an unworldly, well-intentioned comedy MadScientist whose inventions tend to either [[GoneHorriblyWrong Go Horribly Wrong]] or [[GoneHorriblyRight Right]] with [[HilarityEnsues Hilarious Consequences]].
* Arbat-Elivat-Estoni from ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}''. His cover story to his crew is that he's a retired professor of technological history. Of course, he's anything but retired, though it's anyone's guess if he was actually a professor, though given his patient personality, it's likely.
* Hermione Granger and Remus Lupin from ''Literature/HarryPotter''.
* Professor Pike of the ''Literature/HIVESeries'' is the school's head engineering instructor--and also the source of the many technological advances that fuel G.L.O.V.E.'s reign. Also the [[TeamDad Team Grandpa.]]
* Professor Adelung in ''Literature/TheDeathOfTheVazirMukhtar''.


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%% * Hermione Granger and Remus Lupin from ''Literature/HarryPotter''.
* Professor Pike of the ''Literature/HIVESeries'' is the school's head engineering instructor--and also the source of the many technological advances that fuel G.L.O.V.E.'s reign. Also the [[TeamDad Team Grandpa.]]
* ''Literature/MurderForTheModernGirl'': Dr. Gregory C. Keene is a scientist who researched [[VoluntaryShapeshifting tricolorforms]] but got fired from his university job because of said research and has to work as a medical examiner at a morgue. Thanks to him and his assistant, Guy Rosewood, discovering that a serial killer was running around due to figuring out that a few corpses were actually murdered, he gets funding for his own lab and is quite enthusiastic about it, hoping to regain his scientific reputation.
%% * Several novels by Jules Verne, especially ''The Mysterious Island''.
* The TropeCodifier is the Literature/ProfessorBranestawm books by Norman Hunter. Branestawm is an unworldly, well-intentioned comedy MadScientist whose inventions tend to either [[GoneHorriblyWrong Go Horribly Wrong]] or [[GoneHorriblyRight Right]] with [[HilarityEnsues Hilarious Consequences]].
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TheProfessor may also happen to be a BunnyEarsLawyer who has wacky hobbies and idiosyncrasies, sometimes heating up Cup of Noodles soup in a test tube with a Bunsen burner or wearing wildly mismatched clothing. Despite these oddities, he will still prove to be amazingly brilliant at his field of study and his quirks will be good-naturedly PlayedForLaughs.

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TheProfessor The Professor may also happen to be a BunnyEarsLawyer who has wacky hobbies and idiosyncrasies, sometimes heating up Cup of Noodles soup in a test tube with a Bunsen burner or wearing wildly mismatched clothing. Despite these oddities, he will still prove to be amazingly brilliant at his field of study and his quirks will be good-naturedly PlayedForLaughs.



Contrast the more pragmatic GadgeteerGenius who is more of an eccentric MrFixit who constructs elaborate {{Rube Goldberg Device}}s. TheProfessor can be Mr Fixit too, provided he [[ReedRichardsIsUseless gets it working on the first try]].

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Contrast the more pragmatic GadgeteerGenius who is more of an eccentric MrFixit who constructs elaborate {{Rube Goldberg Device}}s. TheProfessor The Professor can be Mr Fixit too, provided he [[ReedRichardsIsUseless gets it working on the first try]].



* Blackberry of ''Literature/WatershipDown'', given his limitations as a rabbit, is also TheProfessor. He may not understand the physics involved, but he'll devise plans that rely on buoyancy, tensile strength or leverage just the same.

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* Blackberry of ''Literature/WatershipDown'', given his limitations as a rabbit, is also TheProfessor.rabbit. He may not understand the physics involved, but he'll devise plans that rely on buoyancy, tensile strength or leverage just the same.



* Dr. Helen Magnus from ''Series/{{Sanctuary}}'' is a hot [[OmnidisciplinaryScientist scientist]] who specializes in [[FantasticScience crypto-zoology and xenobiology.]] Very much TheProfessor.

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* Dr. Helen Magnus from ''Series/{{Sanctuary}}'' is a hot [[OmnidisciplinaryScientist scientist]] who specializes in [[FantasticScience crypto-zoology and xenobiology.]] Very much TheProfessor.]]
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%%* Professor William Race of ''Literature/{{Temple|MatthewReilly}}'' by Creator/MatthewReilly.

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%%* Professor William Race of ''Literature/{{Temple|MatthewReilly}}'' by Creator/MatthewReilly.''Literature/TempleMatthewReilly''.
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* Professor William Race of ''Literature/{{Temple|MatthewReilly}}'' by Creator/MatthewReilly.

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* %%* Professor William Race of ''Literature/{{Temple|MatthewReilly}}'' by Creator/MatthewReilly.

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* Professor William Race of ''Literature/{{Temple}}'' by Creator/MatthewReilly.

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* Professor William Race of ''Literature/{{Temple}}'' ''Literature/{{Temple|MatthewReilly}}'' by Creator/MatthewReilly.
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* It is repeatedly stated in the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' universe that Pokémon Professors are the highest authorities in the world when it comes to the wonderful creatures that inhabit it. This is especially true in ''Gold/Silver/Crystal/[=HeartGold=]/[=SoulSilver=]'', where Professor Oak gets celebrity treatment all across the Johto/Kanto area, though every region has its specialist. In the majority of the games the Professors serve to introduce the player to the world of ''Pokémon'' and guide the protagonists and their rivals on their quest ToBecomeAMaster; in addition, all Professors specialize in a distinct field of study.

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* It is repeatedly stated in the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' universe that Pokémon Professors are the highest authorities in the world when it comes to the wonderful creatures that inhabit it. This is especially true in ''Gold/Silver/Crystal/[=HeartGold=]/[=SoulSilver=]'', where Professor Oak gets celebrity treatment all across the Johto/Kanto area, though every region has its specialist. In the majority of the games the Professors serve to introduce the player to the world of ''Pokémon'' and guide the protagonists and their rivals on their quest ToBecomeAMaster; ToBeAMaster; in addition, all Professors specialize in a distinct field of study.

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* It is repeatedly stated in the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' universe that Pokémon Professors are the highest authorities in the world when it comes to the wonderful creatures that inhabit it. This is especially true in ''Gold/Silver/Crystal/[=HeartGold=]/[=SoulSilver=]'', where Professor Oak gets celebrity treatment all across the Johto/Kanto area, though every region has its specialist.

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* It is repeatedly stated in the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' universe that Pokémon Professors are the highest authorities in the world when it comes to the wonderful creatures that inhabit it. This is especially true in ''Gold/Silver/Crystal/[=HeartGold=]/[=SoulSilver=]'', where Professor Oak gets celebrity treatment all across the Johto/Kanto area, though every region has its specialist. In the majority of the games the Professors serve to introduce the player to the world of ''Pokémon'' and guide the protagonists and their rivals on their quest ToBecomeAMaster; in addition, all Professors specialize in a distinct field of study.
** Professor Oak, the Professor of [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue the Kanto region]], studies the relationships between humans and Pokémon.
** Professor Elm, the Professor of [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver the Johto region]], studies the mysteries of Pokémon evolution.
** Professor Birch, the Professor of [[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire the Hoenn region]], studies Pokémon habitats.
** Professor Rowan, the Professor of [[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl the Sinnoh region]], also studies evolution.
** Professor Juniper, the Professor of [[VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite the Unova region]], studies the origins of Pokémon. Unova also has another scientist, Fennel, who studies dreams.
** Professor Sycamore, the Professor of [[VideoGame/PokemonXAndY the Kalos region]], studies Mega Evolution.
** Professor Kukui, the Professor of [[VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon the Alola region]], studies Pokémon moves and attacks. In addition, Professor Burnet, Kukui's wife and colleague of Fennel, studies the relationship between dimensions and Pokémon, and Samson Oak, Professor Oak's cousin, studies regional forms.
** Professor Magnolia, the Professor of [[VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield the Galar region]], studies the mysteries of the Dynamax phenomenon. [[spoiler:Her role is succeeded by her daughter, Sonia, who becomes a Professor specializing in the history of the Galar region.]]
** Professor Laventon is a Pokémon Professor from Galar who operates out of [[VideoGame/PokemonLegendsArceus Hisui]]. Due to the Professor position being a relatively new field at the time, he is tasked with creating the very first Pokédex.
** Professor Sada/Turo, the Professor of [[VideoGame/PokemonScarletAndViolet the Paldea region]], studies the secrets of Area Zero within the Great Crater of Paldea and created Terastalization. [[spoiler:Unfortunately, they turn out to not only be DeadAllAlong, but also be the BigBad this time around, whose ambitions inadvertently put the region in danger. The AI Professor, a RidiculouslyHumanRobot left in their wake, strings along the protagonist for much of the plot in hopes that they will put a stop to the Professor's last will.]]
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* In Creator/SabanEntertainment's ''The Why Why Family'' Eartha, Baby Victor's grandmother, is a professor and an expert on geology, paleontology, the WeatherAndEnvironment, biology and evolution, and other sciences. She is often accompanied by [[OurDragonsAreDifferent a pet dragon named Basalt]], and in some episodes, she takes Basalt and Victor [[OurTimeTravelIsDifferent time-traveling]] to the distant past and/or the time of [[EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs the dinosaurs]] to make a demonstration on how our Earth is changing.

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* In Creator/SabanEntertainment's ''The Why Why Family'' Eartha, Baby Victor's grandmother, is a professor and an expert on geology, paleontology, the WeatherAndEnvironment, biology and evolution, and other sciences. She is often accompanied by [[OurDragonsAreDifferent a pet dragon named Basalt]], and in some episodes, she takes Basalt and Victor [[OurTimeTravelIsDifferent time-traveling]] to the distant past and/or the time of [[EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs the dinosaurs]] dinosaurs to make a demonstration on how our Earth is changing.
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'''Donatello:''' [[NamesTheSame No, the other]] [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep professor]].

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'''Donatello:''' [[NamesTheSame No, the other]] other [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep professor]].
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Hot Scientist is no longer a trope


** Dr. Ritsuko Akagi from ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' plays this role in the cast, plus maybe just a bit of OmnidisciplinaryScientist, MadScientist, and HotScientist too.

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** Dr. Ritsuko Akagi from ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' plays this role in the cast, plus maybe just a bit of OmnidisciplinaryScientist, MadScientist, OmnidisciplinaryScientist and HotScientist too.MadScientist.



* On ''Series/StargateSG1'', both Dr. Daniel Jackson (CunningLinguist and AdventurerArchaeologist) and Major Samantha Carter (physicist and a female MrFixit) fill that role. Both became a prime example of the HotScientist trope.

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* On ''Series/StargateSG1'', both Dr. Daniel Jackson (CunningLinguist and AdventurerArchaeologist) and Major Samantha Carter (physicist and a female MrFixit) fill that role. Both became a prime example of the HotScientist trope.



* Dr. Helen Magnus from ''Series/{{Sanctuary}}'' is a [[HotScientist hot]] [[OmnidisciplinaryScientist scientist]] who specializes in [[FantasticScience crypto-zoology and xenobiology.]] Very much TheProfessor.

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* Dr. Helen Magnus from ''Series/{{Sanctuary}}'' is a [[HotScientist hot]] hot [[OmnidisciplinaryScientist scientist]] who specializes in [[FantasticScience crypto-zoology and xenobiology.]] Very much TheProfessor.
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* Professor T.X. from ''Webcomic/M9Girls''. He is a geneticist who invites the M9 Girls to an internship that ends up with them gaining cosmic powers in a FreakLabAccident. Though he fulfills TheMentor role for the M9 Girls, he is also a MadScientist who may not have the best interests of the girls in mind.
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* [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep The Professor]] in ''VideoGame/DigimonSurvive'' is an AdventurerArchaeologist & CoolOldGuy studying the legends surrounding Digimon and acts as a MentorArchetype to the {{Kid Hero}}es TrappedInAnotherWorld.
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Comic Books: Superman example: Removed "like right now".


* Professor Emil Hamilton in the ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'' comics, at least when he's not in one of his [[FaceHeelRevolvingDoor villainous phases]] (like right now).

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* Professor Emil Hamilton in the ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'' comics, at least when he's not in one of his [[FaceHeelRevolvingDoor villainous phases]] (like right now).phases]].
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That's a Chained Administrivia/Sinkhole.


The SuperIntelligent [[TheSmartGuy smart guy]]; a StockCharacter exemplified on ''Series/GilligansIsland'' and ''Series/MacGyver1985''. Probably started off as a TeenGenius and is capable of many an AssPull, DeusExMachina, or, um, [[ReversePolarity Polarity Reversal]]. May or may not rely on TechnoBabble. Is the source of much AppliedPhlebotinum, but is incapable of providing a solution that would thwart the show's premise (the Professor couldn't get the rest of the gang off that darn island, Ziggy couldn't bring Sam home on ''Series/QuantumLeap''). Often gets to be MrExposition. Fluent in SesquipedalianLoquaciousness and SoundsOfScience. If he plays a game, it's inevitably TabletopGame/{{chess}}, because SmartPeoplePlayChess. He's also very likely to be a TVGenius.

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The SuperIntelligent [[TheSmartGuy smart guy]]; TheSmartGuy who's SuperIntelligent, a StockCharacter exemplified on ''Series/GilligansIsland'' and ''Series/MacGyver1985''. Probably started off as a TeenGenius and is capable of many an AssPull, DeusExMachina, or, um, [[ReversePolarity Polarity Reversal]]. May or may not rely on TechnoBabble. Is the source of much AppliedPhlebotinum, but is incapable of providing a solution that would thwart the show's premise (the Professor couldn't get the rest of the gang off that darn island, Ziggy couldn't bring Sam home on ''Series/QuantumLeap''). Often gets to be MrExposition. Fluent in SesquipedalianLoquaciousness and SoundsOfScience. If he plays a game, it's inevitably TabletopGame/{{chess}}, because SmartPeoplePlayChess. He's also very likely to be a TVGenius.
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The [[SuperIntelligence nearly impossibly]] [[TheSmartGuy smart guy]]; a StockCharacter exemplified on ''Series/GilligansIsland'' and ''Series/MacGyver1985''. Probably started off as a TeenGenius and is capable of many an AssPull, DeusExMachina, or, um, [[ReversePolarity Polarity Reversal]]. May or may not rely on TechnoBabble. Is the source of much AppliedPhlebotinum, but is incapable of providing a solution that would thwart the show's premise (the Professor couldn't get the rest of the gang off that darn island, Ziggy couldn't bring Sam home on ''Series/QuantumLeap''). Often gets to be MrExposition. Fluent in SesquipedalianLoquaciousness and SoundsOfScience. If he plays a game, it's inevitably TabletopGame/{{chess}}, because SmartPeoplePlayChess. He's also very likely to be a TVGenius.

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The [[SuperIntelligence nearly impossibly]] SuperIntelligent [[TheSmartGuy smart guy]]; a StockCharacter exemplified on ''Series/GilligansIsland'' and ''Series/MacGyver1985''. Probably started off as a TeenGenius and is capable of many an AssPull, DeusExMachina, or, um, [[ReversePolarity Polarity Reversal]]. May or may not rely on TechnoBabble. Is the source of much AppliedPhlebotinum, but is incapable of providing a solution that would thwart the show's premise (the Professor couldn't get the rest of the gang off that darn island, Ziggy couldn't bring Sam home on ''Series/QuantumLeap''). Often gets to be MrExposition. Fluent in SesquipedalianLoquaciousness and SoundsOfScience. If he plays a game, it's inevitably TabletopGame/{{chess}}, because SmartPeoplePlayChess. He's also very likely to be a TVGenius.
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*** Dr. Kentarō Gō from ''Anime/VoltesV'' (who also was: [[spoiler: [[LukeIamYourFather the]] [[TheDragon Dragon's]] DisappearedDad]]), along with Dr. Hamaguchi and Dr. Sakunji (who bordered on SadistTeacher)

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*** Dr. Kentarō Gō from ''Anime/VoltesV'' (who was also was: [[spoiler: [[LukeIamYourFather [[spoiler:[[LukeIamYourFather the]] [[TheDragon Dragon's]] DisappearedDad]]), along with Dr. Hamaguchi and Dr. Sakunji (who bordered on SadistTeacher)
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[[folder:Film]]

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[[folder:Film]][[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
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* Reed "Mr. Fantastic" Richards of the ''Comicbook/FantasticFour''.

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* Reed "Mr. Fantastic" Richards of the ''Comicbook/FantasticFour''.''ComicBook/FantasticFour''.



* ''Manga/{{Evangelion 303}}'': Dr. Ritsuko Akagi. She is Project Evangelion's head scientist and she is also responsible for crew assignments.

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* ''Manga/{{Evangelion 303}}'': ''Manga/Evangelion303'': Dr. Ritsuko Akagi. She is Project Evangelion's head scientist and she is also responsible for crew assignments.



* ''Series/{{Space1999}}'' gives us Professor Victor Bergman, OmnidisciplinaryScientist, CoolOldGuy, mentor figure for Commander John Koenig (in times past and on the "present" of Season One), and very much the EnsembleDarkhorse (enough that three of the written-long-after-series-cancellation official novels go through some length to bring him BackFromTheDead after an off-screen BusCrash between seasons).

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* ''Series/{{Space1999}}'' ''Series/Space1999'' gives us Professor Victor Bergman, OmnidisciplinaryScientist, CoolOldGuy, mentor figure for Commander John Koenig (in times past and on the "present" of Season One), and very much the EnsembleDarkhorse (enough that three of the written-long-after-series-cancellation official novels go through some length to bring him BackFromTheDead after an off-screen BusCrash between seasons).



* Ken Jennings is known as “The Professor” on ''{{Series/TheChase}}'' because of his vast trivia knowledge that made him the longest-running ''{{Series/Jeopardy}}'' champion in that show’s history.

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* Ken Jennings is known as “The Professor” on ''{{Series/TheChase}}'' ''Series/TheChase'' because of his vast trivia knowledge that made him the longest-running ''{{Series/Jeopardy}}'' champion in that show’s history.



* Dr. Andonuts from ''VideoGame/EarthBound''. He's pretty [[AbsentMindedProfessor absent minded]] however, as he forgot he even had a son.

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* Dr. Andonuts from ''VideoGame/EarthBound''.''VideoGame/EarthBound1994''. He's pretty [[AbsentMindedProfessor absent minded]] however, as he forgot he even had a son.



[[folder:Web Comics]]

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[[folder:Web Comics]][[folder:Webcomics]]



* The Professor on ''WesternAnimation/JoeOrioloFelixTheCat'' (billed in one episode as Professor Nutmeg) is an evil variant in that he is always trying to steal Felix's bag of tricks. Otherwise he and stooge Rock Bottom scheme to commit crimes in quests for being rich.

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* The Professor on ''WesternAnimation/JoeOrioloFelixTheCat'' ''WesternAnimation/FelixTheCatJoeOriolo'' (billed in one episode as Professor Nutmeg) is an evil variant in that he is always trying to steal Felix's bag of tricks. Otherwise he and stooge Rock Bottom scheme to commit crimes in quests for being rich.
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[[caption-width-right:350:Great Scott!]]


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%% Caption selected per above thread. Please don't change or remove without approval from here:
%% https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1404492079030138900
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