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Character sheet for ''Film/{{Hairspray|1988}}'', its [[Theatre/{{Hairspray}} musical adaptation]], and [[Film/Hairspray2007 the film adaptation of the musical]].
----
[[foldercontrol]]
!Main Characters

[[folder:Tracy Turnblad]]
!!Tracy Turnblad
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 1988 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/methode_times_prodmigration_web_bin_07c31efb_19c5_3691_829f_a468fba64005.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2007 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/49edbd9c627150a2b0694e9c0591d778_xl.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2016 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/maddie_baillio_zoom_61e4593f_3738_4a4b_8421_a46718a791db.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]]
-> ''"Finally, now all of Baltimore knows... I'm big, blonde, and beautiful!"'' -1988 version
-> ''"I'm all for integration! It's the new frontier!"'' -2007 version

A chubby girl who's a fan of big hairstyles and The Corny Collins Show. She also loves to dance. Played by Ricki Lake in the 1988 movie, Marissa Jaret Winokur in the 2002 Broadway musical, Creator/NikkiBlonsky in the 2007 movie, and Maddie Baillio in the 2016 telecast.
----
* SixtiesHair: She goes from a flip hairdo with a bouffant on top, held by a headband or bow, to a hairstyle that is longer and sleeker, mirroring the trajectory for hairstyles in the 1960s.
* {{Acrofatic}}: She knows every step, and she knows every song. She even mentions in the 1988 movie to Seaweed that this comes from "Just practicing! Oh, and watching Negro Day on Corny Collins!", which adds to the trope on how well she dances.
* AdaptationalNiceGirl: In the original, she's a very deliberate nonconformist to the point of viciousness. She's much nicer in the musical and 2007 movie.
* AlliterativeName: '''T'''racy '''T'''urnblad.
* BeehiveHairdo: Actually, a flip hairdo with a big bump, which pre-dates [[Series/ThatGirl Ann Marie]].
* BewareTheNiceOnes: In the march, she doesn't take kindly to one of the police officers' rudeness towards her, and ''assaults him with her sign.'' The horror!
** In the original movie, she does have a streak of this in some scenes, like when a woman hurts Link during the riot.
* BigBeautifulWoman: She’s a teenage version, and it’s just part of her appeal to the other characters.
%%zce* BigEater: In the 1988 version.
* BigFun: Tracy is a rare female example. She’s energetic and optimistic, which gets her to be a popular dancer in the Corny Collins Show.
* BookDumb: Somewhat. She sleeps in most of her classes and doesn't really pay attention.
* BrilliantButLazy: BookDumb she may be, but if she were to put as much effort into her studies as she does into dancing, then the results might say otherwise.
* CloudCuckoolander: Just listen to her daydreaming in "I Can Hear The Bells".
* DamselOutOfDistress: In NBC's version, [[spoiler:Tracy manages to break open her jail cell herself. She explains to Link that the police didn't have enough money for new bars, and that she crossed her fingers when she promised not to try and remove the aging ones. However, she still depends on Link to accompany her to Motormouth Maybelle.]]
* {{Fangirl}}: Of the Corny Collins show.
* FatAndProud: Tracy is overweight, but she loves her size.
* FatAndSkinny: The fat to Penny's skinny.
* FatBestFriend: Type A to Penny.
* GenkiGirl: Loves dancing, the Corny Collins show, and social justice.
* GracefulLoser: In the 2007 film, she has no problem with Inez winning the pageant over her, since they're friends.
* HeroWithBadPublicity:
** Her public image takes a hit in the stage show after she partakes in the protest where it's implied she loses her Mr. Pinky's Hefty Hideaway sponsorship. Presumably she gets it back after winning Miss Teenage Hairspray.
** Played more for laughs in the 2007 film. Tracy lightly hitting a police officer with her protest sign is wildly sensationalized when the news reports that she savagely beat the officer with a crowbar and put him into critical condition. Link somehow hears that Tracy bludgeoned an Eagle Scout. Fortunately, nothing serious really comes of it.
* IWantSong: "Good Morning Baltimore" and "I Can Hear the Bells".
* IdiotBall: She grabs hold of it in the 2007 film during the protest. The police grossly overexaggerate it, but hitting a police officer during a tense racial protest with a sign (even lightly) was an ''extremely'' stupid idea.
%%* InformedAttribute: Tracy is - at best - an average dancer.
* LittleMissSnarker: In the 1988 film. This does, however, get her in trouble at school.
* NiceGirl: In the musical and 2007 film adaptation, when she's friendly and sweet to everybody.
* PerpetualSmiler: She’s an upbeat person, it comes naturally.
* PintSizedPowerhouse: "Pint-sized" isn't quite the right word, but take a look at BewareTheNiceOnes and remember that she's usually played by shorter actresses (Ricki Lake is 5'4", Marissa Jaret Winokur is 4'11", and Nikki Blonsky is 4'10".)
* PluckyGirl: She’s upbeat throughout most of any performance your watching.
* ThePollyanna: In the musical and 2007 film version.
* SavvyGuyEnergeticGirl: The Energetic Girl to Link's Savvy Guy.
* WideEyedIdealist: Sometimes Tracy can be oblivious to the blatant racism existing in the 60s. Some examples are saying that she would make every day Negro Day ''on live TV'', and declaring that the black dancers should dance with the whites when Velma cancels Negro Day. She lampshades it herself in the 2007 film after some CharacterDevelopment.
-->'''Tracy:''' I think I've been in a bubble or something. Thinking that fairness was just gonna happen... it's not. I think people like me are gonna have to get up, off their father's laps, and go out there and ''fight'' for it.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Edna Turnblad]]
!!Edna Turnblad
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 1988 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/0b87f4311912fc902e62e20293f200322.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2007 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/b15b20ac_34bc_42b2_b48c_ab0a420b76d5.jpeg]][[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2016 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/9df0819b_dfcb_41b8_ab88_12020b69fcb0.jpeg]][[/labelnote]]]]
-> ''"Our little Tracy's too busy ratting her hair and doing the Ubangi Stomp."'' -1988 version
-> ''"Link, your pork is ready!"'' -2007 version

Tracy's overweight mother, who can be a bit emotional at times. Played by Creator/DivineActor in 1988, Creator/HarveyFierstein in 2002, Creator/JohnTravolta in the 2007 movie, and Fierstein again in the 2016 telecast.
----
* SixtiesHair: Her makeover gives her a huge red bouffant in the 1988 version and a dark bouffant that resembles Sophia Loren's in the 2007 version.
* {{Acrofatic}}: It has been stated that they wanted Edna to be very light on her feet, which is one reason why John Travolta was cast in the latest movie. In the 2007 film, Edna performs some ''very'' impressive dance moves despite her size. Downplayed and played for laughs in the stage show, where she ends her musical number in the finale breathless and calling for oxygen.
%%zce* BewareTheNiceOnes:
* BigBeautifulWoman: When she becomes more confident about herself, she embraces her large body and flaunts off her beauty. Wilbur has always thought Edna was beautiful both inside and outside, which is why he’s so in love with her. During “Big, Blonde and Beautiful”, Motormouth herself sings about she thinks Edna is a beautiful woman and she shouldn’t be afraid to show it off.
* BigEater: Though with the spread at Maybelle’s party, can you blame her?
* ClingyJealousGirl: While not clingy, she does get very emotional when she sees Wilbur being seduced by Velma in the 2007 movie. This is justified though, as she thought that Wilbur was having an affair.
* CrosscastRole: It is a tradition that Edna is always played by a man.
* GoodParents: In all versions. The 1988 one even has Edna being really supportive to the point that she takes up the mantle of being Tracy's manager, and later, with Wilbur, joins her daughter's fight by joining the NAACP.
* HappilyMarried: To Wilbur. This is emphasized in the 2007 movie, where she initially believes that Wilbur is cheating on her with Velma, but they make amends in “You’re Timeless to Me”.
* HiddenDepths:
** When Tracy gets her first endorsement gig from Mr. Pinky's Hefty Hideaway, she asks Edna to be her agent. In the 2007 film, Edna not only agrees, but shows a surprising amount of business savvy--she alters the contract for Tracy's benefit, speaking knowingly about legal proceeds ("I want a non-exclusive contract! Extensions by mutual option."), and even manages to get herself a free bustier.
** In the original movie, she also has an eye for a good bargain, and she herself does act as Tracy's manager on her own terms. Like in the '07 movie, she manages to, as Mr. Pinky says, "drive a hard bargain, and rightfully so!"
* MamaBear: Despite her [[ShrinkingViolet timid]] and [[WeightWoe insecure]] nature, Edna will ''not'' tolerate any crap given to her daughter or anyone else she cares about! For instance, she barricades a [[DirtyCop police officer]] from chasing her daughter, despite the fact that she was dragged into a protest she didn't really want to be in. In a deleted scene, she also unflinchingly demands that the same police officer apologize to the van full of ''peaceful'' protesters. You almost forget this is the same woman who hadn't ''left her house in eleven years''.
* TheMakeover: Gets two in "Welcome to the 60's" and "You Can't Stop the Beat".
* {{Revenge}}: In the 2007 film, when Velma Von Tussle tries to trick her into believing she was seducing her husband, [[spoiler: she ends up exposing her on TV, getting her fired.]]
* TheShutIn: Her insecurity about her weight has turned her into this and she hasn't left the house in over a decade by the time the story begins.
* TinyGuyHugeGirl: With her husband, though he (and later she) wouldn’t have it any other way.
* TookALevelInKindness: Even moreso than Tracy, it's startling to see what a {{Jerkass}} Edna can be in the original movie when she's such a sweetheart in the musical.
* WeightWoe: Has a very bad case of this. In the 2007 version, it takes Tracy and Wilbur’s love and support to help her overcome this. Though a makeover where she is put into flattering outfits that make her feel confident doesn’t hurt either.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Wilbur Turnblad]]
!! Wilbur Turnblad
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 1988 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/696c51637635a191405813bce7dfa3f9.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2007 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/a749b6d4d1ba223f067f92d500e5e8aa2.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2016 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/f0d2431a_5094_41a6_afd5_07403119aca9.jpeg]][[/labelnote]]]]
-> ''"There's no bugs on our baby!"'' -1988 version
-> ''"Honey, it took me five years to figure out you were flirting!"'' -2007 version
!!!'''Dubbed by:''' Creator/PatrickFloersheim (European French, 2007)

Tracy's father. A prank shop owner. Played by Creator/JerryStiller in 1988, Dick Latessa in 2002, Creator/ChristopherWalken in 2007, and Creator/MartinShort in 2016.
----
* GoodParents: He encourages Tracy's dreams, and has full faith in her ability to succeed.
* HappilyMarried: To Edna. When Velma tries to seduce him in the 2007 movie, he doesn’t give in to her advances at all. When Edna walks in and assumes he was cheating on her, he reassures her that nothing happened, and makes amends with her through “You’re Timeless to Me”.
* {{Nosebleed}}: Has one when his wife, Edna, shakes her butt while dancing at the end in the 2007 movie.
* NiceGuy: There isn't a moment in the musical's story where he isn't a good-natured, humble, polite man to everyone he meets. He doesn't seem to hold any ill will against Velma for trying to seduce him in the 2007 film.
* NotDistractedByTheSexy: He's completely oblivious to Velma's seductive attempts to show her legs off to him.
* ObliviousToLove: In the 2007 movie, when Velma tries to pretend to fall in love with him, he has no idea of her plan.
* OnlySaneMan: Quirkier than most, but can still count.
* WideEyedIdealist: Even more so than his daughter. He sees the best in people, doesn't suspect Velma's motives and believes people will give Tracy a chance.
** Played with in the offbeat song [[https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Marc-Shaiman/It-Doesn-t-Get-Better-Than-This "It Doesn't Get Better Than This"]] from disc 2 of the collector's edition soundtrack for the 2007 musical, in which Wilbur recounts to Tracy the way in which his parents and uncle passed on words of inspiration from unlikely circumstances.
** Although he also has a slightly more cynical side to him in the Broadway musical and the 2016 TV musical.
--->'''Little Inez:''' (''about the Von Tussles'') Are all white people like that?\\
'''Wilbur:''' No. Just most of 'em!
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Penny Pingleton]]
!! Penny Pingleton
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 1988 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ef0a996b35b119aeb54f2d6f4964fc84.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2007 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ac72bb89eabac2ce7dd28d86b5341c322.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]][[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2016 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ariana_grande_nbc_s_hairyspray_live_photoshoot_november_2016_part_ii_22.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]]
-> ''"Yes, I'm a checkerboard chick... I guess."'' -1988 version
-> ''"Plastic little spastic."'' -2007 version

Tracy's best friend. Played by Leslie Ann Powers in 1988, Creator/KerryButler in 2002, Creator/AmandaBynes in 2007, and Music/ArianaGrande in 2016.
----
* SixtiesHair: Aside from her GirlishPigtails, her hair is styled similarly to a bouffant. In the 1988 movie, she eventually irons her hair into something sleeker and simpler, like Jean Shrimpton.
* AlliterativeName: '''P'''enny '''P'''ingleton. Minus her middle name, which is Lou.
* BetaCouple: With Seaweed.
* CloudCuckoolander: Prone to spacing out and saying flaky things.
* TheCutie: A consistent trait of hers since the 1988 movie, complete with how she talks. Even with her hair straightened out, she still looks adorable as ever.
* DatingWhatDaddyHates: In the 2007 movie, Penny alludes to the idea that her mother won’t be accepting of her and Seaweed dating. Towards the end, when Penny kisses Seaweed on live television, Prudy screams in shock and tries to scrub Seaweed off the screen.
* DeadpanSnarker:
-->'''Motormouth Maybelle:''' So you two better brace yourselves for a whole lotta ugly comin' at you from a neverending parade of stupid.\\
'''Penny:''' So you met my mom?
* DumbBlonde: Subverted. She may be a CloudCuckoolander, but she's no dummy.
* FatAndSkinny: The skinny to Tracy's fat.
* TheGlassesGottaGo: She wears glasses for most of NBC's version, but removes them prior to crashing the Miss Hairspray pageant.
* GirlishPigtails: Her usual hairstyle. [[LettingHerHairDown She lets it down]] for the final number.
* NiceGirl: Like Tracy.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Link Larkin]]
!! Link Larkin
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 1988 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hairspray_dreamlanders_9880377_914_5342.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]][[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2007 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/czbsqojukae72vw2.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]][[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2016 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/636161957134077921_detroit_vote_stickers082.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]]
-> ''"Tracy, our souls are black, though our skin is white."'' -1988 version
-> ''"I think knowing you is the start of a pretty big adventure."'' -2007 version

Amber's boyfriend (and later Tracy's) and the lead male dancer on The Corny Collins Show, he is Tracy's love interest. Played by Michael St. Gerard in 1988, Creator/MatthewMorrison in 2002, Creator/ZacEfron in 2007, and Garrett Clayton in 2016.
----
* AlliterativeName: '''L'''ink '''L'''arkin.
* TheAtoner: In the stage musical and 2007 movie, he becomes this after chickening out of the protest march, in order to make it up to Tracy and the black dancers. In the musical, he breaks Tracy out of jail so she can compete in the pageant. In the movie (where she's never arrested), he brings Inez out at the pageant and dances with her, not only fulfilling her dream of appearing on the Corny Collins Show, but landing a surprise pageant win for her ''and'' ensuring that the show remains integrated.
* HenpeckedHusband: In his relationship with Amber, who has him as an accessory rather than a true boyfriend. In the stage musical and 2016 TV musical, he even confesses to Tracy (when he sees her in jail) that he was a tool to further Amber and Velma's gains.
* LoveAtFirstSight: In the 1988 version, after Tracy gets hit hard with a dodgeball, he checks on her to see if she's alright and asks her if she wants to go steady with him.
* MrFanservice: It is Zac Efron, this is a given. Garrett Clayton is no pushover in that department either.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: In every version but the 1988 film, he backs out of joining Tracy and the others in protesting for racial equality for fear that it will hurt his promising career. He immediately regrets it and makes up for it (see TheAtoner).
* NiceGuy: Especially when compared to his original girlfriend, Amber, and the rest of the Corny Collins Show council. In the 1988 movie, he even joins Tracy, Penny, Seaweed and Lil' Inez in their protest on live TV.
* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: His breakup with Amber in the musical.
* PrettyBoy: Given that Link is a teenage heartthrob, he's this across pretty much every incarnation of the character.
* SavvyGuyEnergeticGirl: The Savvy Guy to Tracy's Energetic Girl.
* [[SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan Single Man Seeks Good Woman]]: Link falls for Tracy in part due to her earnestness, kindness and compassion. It's easy to see why he prefers her over [[AlphaBitch Amber]].
* TokenGoodTeammate: The only nice, non-prejudiced person on the Corny Collins Show council prior to their HeelFaceTurn at the end. Downplayed a bit in the 2007 film, where none of the cast are shown to be particularly bigoted or have any problems with Inez being on the dance floor.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Amber Von Tussle]]
!! Amber Von Tussle
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 1988 version]][[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1988_amber_von_tusslejpg.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]][[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2007 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/8998ffcce0881613ccb80f2e39af91c02.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2016 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/image2_5.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]]
-> ''"Oh, come on. This show's not filmed in [=CinemaScope=]."'' -1988 version
-> ''"Right now, as we speak, your daughter has entered a hotbed of moral...turpentine."'' -2007 version

An arrogant, snobbish dancer. She is also the daughter of Velma Von Tussle (and in the original, also to Franklin Von Tussle) and the lead female dancer on The Corny Collins Show. Played by Colleen Fitzpatrick in 1988, Creator/LauraBellBundy in 2002, Creator/BrittanySnow in 2007, and Creator/DoveCameron in 2016.
----
* SixtiesHair: Her bubble-cut bouffants are all the rage for the setting.
* AlphaBitch: Spoiled, obnoxious, self-centered -- she's got this trope covered.
* BitchInSheepsClothing: While she's openly antagonistic in previous versions, the 2007 film has her acting nice and treating Tracy like a friend, "defending" her from nasty rumors that she pretty blatantly came up with in the first place.
* ButtMonkey: Has several unfortunate things happen to her either by coincidence or by the intent of several people she offends. Within her first appearance/song, she is pushed aside by Shelley and Brad, dropped by Link, and smacked in the face by Corny.
* DefeatMeansFriendship: In the stage musical, and potentially in the 2007 film.
* DrivenByEnvy: Most of Amber’s actions towards Tracy is driven by the former’s envy towards Tracy.
* DumbBlonde: Subverted, as Amber is not completely stupid, but she is pretty vapid.
%%zce* GracefulLoser: It takes some prodding in the musical, yet she’s this instantly in the 2007 film.
* GreenEyedMonster: Mostly in the 2007 film. Amber is antagonistic towards Tracy mostly because she envies Tracy’s dancing skills, and Tracy is a threat to Amber winning Ms. Teenage Hairspray.
* HeelFaceTurn: In the musical and 2007 film (made more explicit in a deleted scene showing Velma's arrest).
* HiddenDepths: Most prominently in the 2007 version.
** "I lost, Mom. Let's just deal with it!" Considering how awful and self-centered Amber was before, this is surprisingly mature of her.
** In the same scene she's eyeing a young black man with some interest, suggesting she isn't as blatantly racist as her mother is. It also suggests that a lot of her bratty behavior was a result of Velma's influence.
* HiddenHeartOfGold: Implied in the musical, confirmed by the end of the 2007 film.
* HumiliationConga: Goes through this at the end of all versions.
* IcyBlueEyes: Her blue eyes represent her bitchy and antagonistic nature towards Tracy.
* ItsAllAboutMe: She literally pushes away anyone who attempts to steal the limelight.
* {{Jerkass}}: Consistently, at least early on.
* LovableAlphaBitch: After her HeelFaceTurn in the musical, the 2007 film, and the 2016 TV musical.
* MsFanservice: Many fans find her attractive, in-show and out.
* NotEvilJustMisunderstood: As described by Brittany Snow. It's implied in all versions that she only acts as mean as she does because her mother expects it from her, and at the end of the 2007 film, she finally gets sick of it and [[HeelFaceTurn makes a switch for the better]].
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Especially in the 1988 film, where not only is she hypocritical enough to use the music of Black musicians to further her career but has no problem with racial segregation, she is openly fatphobic and not only fat-shames Tracy, she also slut-shames her and shows hints of classism towards Tracy and Penny.
* SpoiledBrat: Velma absolutely spoils her rotten in every version, and it really shows when it comes to how she reacts to not getting something she wants.
* TheRival: Becomes this to Tracy in the middle of the movie when the latter gets on the Corny Collins show.
* SmallNameBigEgo: At first.
* TookALevelInKindness: At the end of the musical, the 2007 film, and the 2016 TV musical.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Velma Von Tussle]]
!!Velma Von Tussle
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 1988 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tumblr_19882.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]][[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2007 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/velma_von_tussle2.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]][[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2016 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/74512_25832.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]]
-> ''"At least try to act white on television."'' -1988 version
-> ''"They're kids, Corny; That's why we have to steer them in the white direction."'' -2007 version

The racist and fatphobic manager of the WYZT station in the 2007 version and the 2016 TV musical. The mother of Amber Von Tussle and wife of Franklin Von Tussle in the 1988 version. Her goal is to keep the Corny Collins show segregated. Played by Debbie Harry in 1988, Linda Hart in 2002, Creator/MichellePfeiffer in 2007, and Creator/KristinChenoweth in 2016.
----
* SixtiesHair: She wears her blonde hair in elaborate bouffant and beehive styles.
* AbusiveParents: Of the emotional variety. She's responsible for Amber's bigoted, spoiled, bratty behavior and Velma evidently taught her racism and fatphobia as well. Interestingly in the 2007 film when she makes a few of her own decisions outside of her Mom's influence she demonstrates that she can be a better person.
* AdaptationalVillainy: She's very unpleasant in all versions, but the 2007 film makes her even more repulsive, going as far as trying to sabotage the Miss Teenage Hairspray contest and attempting to seduce Wilbur, Tracy's married father.
* AlliterativeName: '''V'''elma '''V'''on Tussle.
* BigBad: She's the antagonist who causes every problem in the story, and the few she doesn't she fights to exacerbate. In the 1988 movie, she shares this with her husband Franklin and the station's boss Arvin Hodgepile.
* DeadpanSnarker: Tends to be this generally, but Michelle Pfeiffer played it up significantly in 2007.
* DefeatMeansFriendship: Only in the stage musical.
* EstablishingCharacterMoment: In the 2007 film. When she is introduced, she’s being rude to the cameraman, showing that she’s not only a {{Jerkass}} to black people, but to other white people as well.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: She does love her daughter. It's just about the ''only'' redeeming thing that can be said about her.
* HeelFaceTurn: In the musical and the 2016 telecast alongside her daughter, though not in the 2007 film adaptation.
* HelicopterParents: She does everything possible to make Amber happy as long as Amber does everything she says. By the end of the 2007 film Amber demonstrates that a lot of her worst behavior was the result of Velma's parenting.
* HumiliationConga: Suffers this along with her daughter in all versions. Unlike her daughter, she deserves every minute of it.
* {{Jerkass}}: Especially in the 1988 and 2007 film versions.
* KickTheDog: Just about all of the things she does are callous and mean-spirited.
* KnightTemplarParent: Zigzagged. She will go to extreme lengths to get what she wants for Amber, including seducing married men and rigging contests. That said, given how strict and controlling she can be, she seems more interested in reliving her GloryDays through her daughter than actually making her happy.
* LeanAndMean: Thin, blonde and beautiful, as praised in the song.
* ManipulativeBitch: Nothing is beneath her, including tricking children, meddling in her daughter's dating life, and seducing married men.
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Champion for on-screen segregation. She's openly racist against black people, and a few lines in "Miss Baltimore Crabs" imply that she's an anti-Semite as well. She also can't stand fat people, as she openly dislikes Tracy and her mother Edna. Her fatphobia and racism also carries hints of being a FemaleMisogynist, as she openly judges and disparages other women for not looking like her, and slut-shames Edna in the 1988 version ("Is your daughter a mulatto?").
* SmallNameBigEgo:
** She will remind you that she won Ms. Baltimore Crabs, in song of course.
** Velma also acts like she's the one running the entire station network--while she does have some sway, it's apparent at certain that she's not the true boss of the place. Especially when she's fired in the 2007 film.
* SmugSnake: God, yes.
* SoreLoser: Not her exactly, but she has this reaction in the 2007 film when Seaweed's sister Inez wins over her daughter, Amber.
* StageMom: To Amber in all versions, micromanaging her life, and career -- it's very strongly implied that she's trying to live vicariously through her daughter.
* TookALevelInKindness: At the end of the stage musical, although part of this is because her new job depends on it.
* VictoriasSecretCompartment: Hides the real votes here when rigging the pageant.
* VillainSong: Miss Baltimore Crabs.
* WhiteDwarfStarlet: Is approaching this despite still being beautiful (on the outside).
[[/folder]]

! Supporting Cast

[[folder:Corny Collins]]
!! Corny Collins
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 1988 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/4b578fb6_1875_4725_9a56_7e3f32ddc365.jpeg]][[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2007 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/526c20b6_7267_4d41_81ad_f4196ed74eb0.jpeg]][[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2016 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fabdf185_795c_4432_a1c5_e078c7cb6d92.jpeg]][[/labelnote]]]]
-> ''"Tell me, Velma, how exactly do you fire Corny Collins from the Corny Collins show?"'' -2007 version

The host of the Corny Collins Show. Played by Shawn Thompson in 1988, Clarke Thorell in 2002, Creator/JamesMarsden in 2007, and Creator/DerekHough in 2016.
----
* AlliterativeName: '''C'''orny '''C'''ollins.
* DeadpanSnarker: He has his moments, such as his quote above.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold:: In the stage show and the 1988 film. He's a snarky, egotistical person, but he's actually good-hearted.
* NiceGuy: Played straight in the 2007 film, where he's shown to be much more affable and friendly than in the original film or stage show. He's also politically progressive, openly proposing integrating the Corny Collins Show and being frustrated with Velma's bigotry.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Across all of the movies.
* RulesLawyer: Is one when Velma tries to argue that Inez's victory is invalid in the 2007 movie.
-->'''Corny:''' Well, anyone who dances for it is eligible, rule 30, paragraph 5, asterisk down at the bottom.
* SmallNameBigEgo: Subverted. He's the show's host, so he has a big name to back up his big ego.
* UltimateJobSecurity: Lampshaded in the 2007 film. He's such a central part of the Corny Collins Show (hence the title) that Velma's threat to fire him is an empty one.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Prudy Pingleton]]
!! Prudy Pingleton
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 1988 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tumblr_ngayanlusp1u54lgao1_1280_9.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]][[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2007 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ezstp7cxqaaay9h2_1.jpg]][[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2016 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/7b2a3925_e784_4182_b428_883a2875f9f6.jpeg]][[/labelnote]]]]
-> ''"Don't you try to cast one of your voodoo spells on me you, native woman!"'' -1988 version
-> ''"You see? You see! If I let you leave the house right now, you'd be in prison, fighting whores for cigarettes."'' -2007 version

Penny's overbearing, strict, and racist mother, who is also highly religious. Played by Joanne Havrilla in 1988, Jackie Hoffman in 2002, Creator/AllisonJanney in 2007, and Andrea Martin in 2016.
----
* AbusiveParent: She’s super controlling of her daughter and doesn’t approve of her friendship with Tracy. She also ties her daughter to her bed for “going to jail without her permission”. In the film, she goes a little further by sprinkling Penny with holy water and calling her a “devil child”.
* AlliterativeName: '''P'''rudy '''P'''ingleton. In the 1988 film, she, her husband, and her child all have matching names.
* ControlFreak: Beats out Amber’s mom.
* DeniedFoodAsPunishment: Enforces this on her daughter Penny for "breaking the rules" by vowing to give her a diet of only saltine crackers and tang juice while tying her to her bed with jump rope.
* FreakOut: Towards the end of the 2007 film, she loses it when Penny kisses Seaweed. It may have also been a response to her daughter somehow getting out of her room.
** In the 1988 film, she gets a big, funny one when she ends up in Baltimore's black community, and when Seaweed saves Penny from her house.
* TheFundamentalist: A rather extreme example, at least by the films' standpoints. She tries raising her daughter in a "Christian" lifestyle, but her methods are forced, and she seems more controlling and abusive (as noted before) and less loving and understanding.
* {{Jerkass}}: She's very rude and controlling to almost everyone around her.
* LargeHam: Especially when she's played by Allison Janney. The 1988 movie is no slouch in the ham either, as Joanne Havrilla's acting (see Freak Out above) takes it up a notch.
* MyBelovedSmother: She actually ties her daughter to her bed with jump rope (with knots that rival the navy's) and sprinkles her with holy water.
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Part of what Penny fears when she and Seaweed getting together is her mother disapproving of the relationship. In the 2007 film, she shrieks when she sees Penny kiss Seaweed and tries wiping Seaweed off the screen. In some versions of the stage production, she bemoans that since Seaweed is in her house, she can’t sell it anymore.
* TookALevelInKindness: In the stage musical, but not in either of the film versions.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Motormouth Maybelle]]
!! Motormouth Maybelle
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 1988 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/0f869384_0027_46a5_b8f4_1c56209ae74f.jpeg]][[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2007 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/3f76b55d_b9ce_4649_85f0_49f5d98f64c4.jpeg]][[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2016 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/e862bf5f_f89d_4a68_8517_f7b67c5332e6.jpeg]][[/labelnote]]]]
-> ''"No matter what you've heard, we are gonna teach the white children how to do The Bird!"'' -1988 version
-> ''"If we get any more white people in here, this is gonna be a suburb."'' -2007 version

A Baltimore rhythm and blues radio DJ who hosts "Negro Day" on The Corny Collins Show. Played by Ruth Brown in 1988, Mary Bond Davis in 2002, Music/QueenLatifah in 2007, and Music/JenniferHudson in 2016.
----
* SixtiesHair: In all adaptations, she has blonde hair stacked up into an elaborate beehive as voluptuous as her body.
* AlliterativeName: Her radio name '''M'''otormouth '''M'''aybelle qualifies.
* BigBeautifulWoman: Maybelle is often portrayed by a large and beautiful woman. Her song “Big, Blonde, and Beautiful” is all about her declaring herself to be big and beautiful and encouraging Edna to not be ashamed of her size.
* NiceGirl: Motormouth is loud and energized, but she can be quiet and motherly when needed to be. She is kind-hearted, mature, loving, motherly, and thoughtful.
* OnlySaneWoman: Definitely this in the 2007 version.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Especially in the 2007 version, though all versions qualify.
* SassyBlackWoman: With the 2007 movie, well, she’s Queen Latifah, what else do you expect.
** Ruth Brown's take on the character has traces of it too.
* ShipperOnDeck: Maybelle is supportive of Seaweed and Penny being together. She does, however, warn them that other people won’t be so accepting of them being together, to which Penny replies, “So you’ve met my mom.”
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Seaweed Stubbs]]
!! Seaweed J. Stubbs
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 1988 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/142a4219_a108_4a5f_a989_900aaa47b1dd.jpeg]][[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2007 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cbfc4c13_1ec8_46a2_aed9_d14f2594ca48.jpeg]][[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2016 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/8a47d9da_0985_4f4f_9d88_02226db941fb.jpeg]][[/labelnote]]]]
-> ''"But these knots might, was your mom in the navy?!"'' -2007 version

Motormouth Maybelle's son and Penny's love interest. A skilled dancer and singer on Negro Day. Played by Clayton Prince in 1988, Creator/CoreyReynolds in 2002, Elijah Kelley in 2007, and Ephraim Sykes in 2016.
----
* AlliterativeName: '''S'''eaweed J. '''S'''tubs.
* BetaCouple: With Penny.
* NiceGuy: A charming, pleasant, friendly, and just all-around nice guy. Far more inclusive then the rest of the detention crew, and helps Tracy get into the show.
* TallDarkAndHandsome: In the original movie, he's basketball-player tall and very attractive.
** While not as tall, in the 2007 version, he fills out the dark and handsome part very well (especially the latter). Being a great dancer, dresser, and kisser doesn’t hurt at all.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Inez Stubbs]]
!! Inez Stubbs
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 1988 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/617ca617_6b50_4139_b7cc_7449a8728273.jpeg]][[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2007 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/8b37d402_2801_4297_b50d_9e95066a8daf.jpeg]][[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click to see 2016 version]][[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/0edaac84_639b_4ffc_8001_5b94bbd22012.jpeg]][[/labelnote]]]]
-> ''"Oh I know Tracy Turnblad! Good for you girl, you got on the show!"'' -2007 version

Seaweed's little sister who is a skilled dancer for her age. Played by Cyrkle Milbourne in 1988, Danielle Eugenia Wilson in 2002, Taylor Parks in 2007, and Shahadi Wright Joseph in 2016.
----
* AwesomeMomentOfCrowning: Winning the tiara in the Miss Teenage Hairspray contest in the 2007 movie.
* TheBabyOfTheBunch: Inez is one of the youngest characters and dancers in the show.
* DarkHorseVictory: Little Inez, a supporting character, ends up winning the pageant in the 2007 movie, despite Velma rigging the tallies to ensure Amber wins.
* GirlishPigtails: Rocks a pair of these.
* LittleMissSnarker: She knows what she's worth and she won't apologize for it. Take this exchange from the Broadway musical.
-->'''Inez:''' Hand over the crown, honey.\\
'''Amber:''' You'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands!\\
'''Inez:''' That'll do.
* NiceGirl: Very nice, but not without a slight edge!
* PintSizedKid: The main characters are in high school, whereas she’s in elementary school—not that that stops her from winning Ms. Teenage Hairspray.
* SassyBlackGirl: In the 2007 version.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Patrick 'Paddy' Pingleton]]
!!Paddy Pingleton
Penny Pingleton's racist father and Prudy's husband in the 1988 film. Played by Doug Roberts.
----
* AbusiveParent: He and his wife are very abusive towards and controlling of Penny.
* AlliterativeName: '''P'''addy '''P'''ingleton.
* TheFundamentalist: He's very religious, and tries to force a normal "Christian" lifestyle on his daughter Penny.
* IHaveNoSon: His screaming at Penny that "she is no longer his daughter" for running away with Seaweed is this.
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: He and his wife are extremely racist toward black people.
* UglyGuyHotWife: In the 1988 film, he is fat and balding and unattractive in comparison to his wife Prudy.
* YouAreGrounded: In the 1988 film, when Penny escapes with Seaweed, Paddy tells to her that she "is grounded until the day she dies".
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Franklin Von Tussle]]
!!Franklin Von Tussle
Amber's father and Velma's husband in the 1988 film. Played by the late Music/SonnyBono.
----
* AdaptedOut: From the musical. The 2007 film implies that he is deceased.
* BigBad: Shares this role with Alvin and his wife Velma.
* DeathByAdaptation: According to Velma in the 2007 film, he is dead.
* FashionVictimVillain: His fashion sense is a hodgepodge of loud prints and colors that were popular with men in the 1950s and 1960s.
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Downplayed in that his racism is borne out of greed (claiming that desegregating Tilted Acres would make him broke) but also shows a classist streak towards Tracy, saying she's "white trash".
* StageDad: Micromanages his daughter's career to an extent, using her fame as a way to promote his theme park Tilted Acres.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Tammy]]
!!Tammy
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/924b9938_46c4_423e_a2a7_df56751db257.jpeg]]
A personal assistant on "The Corny Collins Show", long-time colleague of Motormouth Maybelle, and romantically interested in Corny. Played by Mink Stole.
----
* AdaptedOut: She is not seen in the musical.
* SixtiesHair: She has a ridiculous beehive hairdo with blunt bangs.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: She does her best to keep the dancers well-behaved and make sure their falsies aren't falling out; along with Corny, she openly disagrees with Alvin Hodgepile's decision to keep the show segregated.
* WillTheyOrWontThey: After a whole film of hints and her sneaking interested looks, she receives a kiss from Corny at the end.
[[/folder]]

----