History Main / AnonymousBenefactor

* Happened in an early Creator/ArchieComics ''[[Comicbook/ArchieComicsSonicTheHedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' comic. In one story, a distraught Tails tells Antoine that he lost a backpack with a Power Ring that Sonic told him to hold onto, and he can't go get it because it's late and dangerous and other, concerned-for-his-safety Freedom Fighters will never let him out of Knothole at this hour, but he can't ask Sonic for help because he's petrified of disappointing his hero. Antoine, sympathetic to his plight and gratified that his first choice for a Plan B was [[ButtMonkey the town laughingstock]], agrees to help. Throughout his search, Antoine is saved numerous times from certain doom by contrived coincidences he appears not to notice. Once he's returned with the backpack and sent Tails off to bed, he thanks Bunnie for running interference, who protests feebly but isn't fooling him.

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

[[folder:Film]]

[[folder:Religion and Mythology]]

* An Al Brodax {{Popeye}} cartoon spoofed the aforementioned series ''The Millionaire'' in an episode in which Popeye himself would give $1 million checks to his friends, then he'd mingle in his regular sailor suit to see how they were doing. Wimpy bought a farm of cows (but didn't have the heart to slaughter them), Swee'Pea bought a $1 million candy bar, Olive blew hers on a massive makeover, and Brutus bought all the spinach farms in the country--and had them plowed under. (It ended well for Popeye, though.)

Oh, woe is ThePollyanna! Her humble aspirations are practically a {{Tragic Dream}} because she's poor / [[HeartWarmingOrphan an orphan]] / [[TheWoobie meant to suffer]] at [[TheChewToy the whims of the cosmos.]] But what's this? She wakes up one morning to discover the exact thing she wanted / needed at the foot of her bed!

Of course, not all gifts are ultimately good, and some may herald incredible changes to the recipient. If the gift is the SwordOfPlotAdvancement given to the TheChosenOne, it signals the start of their adventure-- whether they [[JumpedAtTheCall want to go]] or [[RefusalOfTheCall not.]]

Of course, the Anonymous Benefactor might have less altruistic motives and send a Trojan Horse with the intent to harm her, or as a means to ensure the hero gets the [=MacGuffin=] [[MacGuffinDeliveryService so they can steal it]]. Other possibilities include the Anonymous Benefactor helping a minor villain or non-evil [[TheRival rival]] to the heroine. In which case this is usually a ploy by the BigBad to give the hero someone else to chew on while their own EvilPlan advances.

[[folder: Anime and Manga ]]
* Hayate in ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs'' has the mysterious uncle who provides for her every need ever since her parents died. He's later revealed to be [[spoiler:[[WellIntentionedExtremist Admiral Gil Graham]], [[ApocalypseMaiden who knew that she possessed]] [[ArtifactOfDoom the Book of Darkness]] and [[SealedEvilInACan was planning to permanently seal the book with her when the time is right]]]].

[[folder: Comic Books ]]
* J. Jonah Jameson is a notorious skinflint, obnoxious boss, and all around {{Jerkass}} to Peter Parker (and worse to his alter-ego Franchise/{{Spider Man}}). But when Peter was accused of murder Jameson made sure he got the best defense attorney money could buy - on the condition that Peter never find out who was paying the bills. He also secretly bankrolled the alternative newspaper ''Front Line'' during the Civil War, despite it competing directly with the ''Daily Bugle'', because his former top reporter was using it to criticize the pro-Registration side (something Jameson couldn't do directly).

[[folder: Fan Works]]
* ''Fanfic/ThePiecesLieWhereTheyFell'': Omake-exclusive character Reel serves as one, as three of his four appearances have him pop in briefly and give some information and advice (while not spoiling anything that they won't find out on their own later) to the characters.

[[folder: Film]]

* In ''Film/TerminatorGenisys'' [[spoiler: a T-800 Terminator is sent back to Sarah Connor's childhood to protect her]] and we have ''no idea'' who did it.
* ''Film/NowYouSeeMe'' had a mysterious benefactor who brought the Four Horsemen together and gave them everything they needed. In the end, they find out it's [[spoiler: the federal agent who was pursuing them for most of the film, who was on a Roaring Rampage Of Revenge against the people he felt responsible for his father's death.]]

[[folder: Literature ]]

* In ''Literature/GreatExpectations,'' Pip assumes that the wealthy, eccentric Miss Havisham, guardian of his UnrequitedLove Estella, is his benefactor. To his dismay, he learns that it's really [[spoiler: Abel Magwitch, the escaped convict who had intimidated him years ago into stealing food for him]].

* In ''Literature/TheMysteriousIsland'', various events of good fortune happen to the impromptu colonists on Lincoln Island, which they gradually come to realize are not an accident but some unknown benevolent force assisting them. Eventually, they discover their benefactor is none other than [[spoiler: Captain Nemo himself.]]

* In ''Literature/TheMarkAndTheVoid'', a mysterious benefactor [[spoiler: pays off all the rent The Ark owed, allowing them to stay open, and pays off Paul's mortgage.]] Of course, it's only mysterious in-universe; it's pretty evident that Claude is the one behind it.

[[folder: Live Action TV ]]

* In ''Series/{{Bones}}'', the scholarship program that allows Wendell to keep his internship is about to shut down, but is saved at the end of the episode by an anonymous donor. Turns out it's [[spoiler: Dr. Brennan. And Hodgins. Independently.]]

* In the ChristmasEpisode of ''Series/{{Glee}}'' Season 2, the person who gives Artie the Re-Walk exoskeleton - thus sort-of fulfilling Brittany's Christmas wish that he be able to walk again - is not identified, but is strongly implied by the direction to be Coach Beiste.

* ''Series/CrimeStory'' featured a brutally karmic version - a director of porn movies who used captive young runaways in his films is caught and arrested. Awaiting trial, he's visited by a high-priced lawyer from an anonymous benefactor, who easily gets him acquitted. The director smugly assumes someone powerful appreciates his talent and will be funding him from now on, then, outside the courthouse he meets the benefactor - the head Don of the syndicate...and grandfather of his latest 'star'. He gets taken for a ride...
* ''Series/ThirtyRock'' has Liz eagerly playing Santa for a poor family in a charity program - when she arrives at a low-income apartment with a big box of stuff, a man takes it without a word and shuts the door. She gets furious thinking it was part of a big scam, so she comes back later demanding satisfaction - and a cute young child answers the door. She melts at the sight of him and tells him that she bought the gifts. The child, shocked, realizes there is no Santa, and his dad chews her out for her self-centeredness.
* In ''Series/SirArthurConanDoylesTheLostWorld'', Marguerite is this to Challenger, initially. She finances his expedition for reasons for her own.
* On ''Series/PersonOfInterest'', Harold will sometimes takes this role for some of the POI's. Once he bought a hotel, then made a POI the manager (she was a maid in the hotel who had been studying hotel management). Another had him foot the bill for a young POI to go to a very exclusive private school.

* The the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC for ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', Garrus' dossier reveals that his mother has a [[spoiler: terminal illness]].In response he donates some Collector tissue and has Mordin pull some strings to get special clearance on the research that might lead to [[spoiler: a cure for Corpalis Syndrome]]. At the end of the letter in the dossier, the doctor assures him that as per his request, his donations will remain anonymous.
** Miranda Lawson also qualifies as this, as she has secretly been keeping [[spoiler:her younger twin sister]] Oriana under careful surveillance, making sure she leads a life of normalcy. Miranda's loyalty mission consists of trying to safely, but secretly ensure Oriana is safely transported off-world, where Miranda has ensured that her parents will have well-paying jobs. At the end of the mission, Shepard can choose to encourage Miranda to reveal her identity as Oriana's [[spoiler:sister]] and silent guardian.

[[folder: Western Animation ]]
* Villain example. In ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'', Kraven the Hunter receives anonymous tips about Spider-man, convincing him that Spidey is the only WorthyOpponent he'll ever find and that he should hunt him. It turns out this was all part of the Master Planner aka [[spoiler: Doc Ock]]'s plan to recruit Kraven for his new Sinister Six.

* One early ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'' episode dealt with Hank's friends ditching him because they thought he was making too much of a big deal out of being accused of not returning a porno movie [[CassandraTruth he insisted he never rented.]] [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg He didn't care about Bill, because "he brings nothing to the fight,"]] though what hurt him the most, was Peggy, who told Hank to return the tape and pay the fine, ditching him too, after she got tired of telling him to pay back the video store. Later, a MysteriousStranger leaves Hank several porno movies at his doorstep, with a note claiming that the proof that he was telling the truth could be found in the tapes. After looking at the tapes, Hank discovers that the movie he was accused of never returning was released several weeks after Hank supposedly rented it. After winning in court [[spoiler: Bill]] leaves another anonymous note congratulating Hank.

[[folder: Real Life ]]

* Sid turns into this on ''Series/{{CSI NY}}''. He'd gotten rich from his pillow patent, then was touched by a number of cases that came through his morgue, people who'd lost loved ones and then had further trouble with their life. After being diagnosed with cancer and realizing he was likely going to die from it, Sid decides to anonymously give them each $1 million. Everyone thought the 'Guardian Angel' was another really rich but {{Jerkass}} guy; although he took credit for it, Jo found out the truth via fingerprints.

* One early ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'' dealt with Hank's friends ditching him because they thought he was making too much of a deal out being accused of not returning a porno movie [[CassandraTruth he insisted he never rented.]] [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg He didn't care about Bill, because "he brings nothing to the fight."]] What hurt him the most, was Peggy who told Hank to return the tape, and pay the fine, when he insisted he did not rent it she ditched him too. Later, a MysteriousStranger leaves Hank several porno movies at his doorstep, with a note claiming that the proof that he was telling the truth could be found in the tapes. After looking at the tapes, Hank discovers that the movie he was accused of never returning was released several weeks after Hank supposedly rented it. After winning in court [[spoiler: Bill]] leaves another anonymous note congratulating Hank.

* An attempted [[InvokedTrope invocation]] occurs in ''VideoGame/TheSimpsons'' episode "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS11E15MissionaryImpossible Missionary: Impossible]]" when Homer attempts to anonymously donate $10,000 to end the UsefulNots/{{PBS}} pledge drive as soon as possible, thinking that since he couldn't really afford the donation, he won't have to worry about them finding him. However, he DidntThinkThisThrough, as he forgot that he signed up for Insta-Trace, which soon identifies him for the station.

* Happened in an early Franchise/ArchieComics ''[[Comicbook/ArchieComicsSonicTheHedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' comic. In one story, a distraught Tails tells Antoine that he lost a backpack with a Power Ring that Sonic told him to hold onto, and he can't go get it because it's late and dangerous and other, concerned-for-his-safety Freedom Fighters will never let him out of Knothole at this hour, but he can't ask Sonic for help because he's petrified of disappointing his hero. Antoine, sympathetic to his plight and gratified that his first choice for a Plan B was [[ButtMonkey the town laughingstock]], agrees to help. Throughout his search, Antoine is saved numerous times from certain doom by contrived coincidences he appears not to notice. Once he's returned with the backpack and sent Tails off to bed, he thanks Bunnie for running interference, who protests feebly but isn't fooling him.

** All except Klinger, who overhears Charles talking with the orphanage head. The scene where he reveals his knowledge to Charles is one of the show's true SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments.

* ''VideoGame/MakeAGoodMegaManLevelContest 2'' has this in the form of a mysterious cloaked figure who shows up from time to time. The first time you meet them, they give you an E-Tank in addition to the warnings that become a part of their character. When Wily shows up to make things worse, the figure gives critical information about the Energy Elements that Mega Man has been collecting, which gives Mega Man the ability to go after Wily. It's hinted that the figure was mistreated by Wily in the past. [[spoiler:It turns out to be the OffModel "[[StylisticSuck Zero]]" from the previous contest, unhappy about two things: His mistreatment by Wily (being used as a distraction, allowing Wily to escape), and his [[ZeroEffortBoss inability to have a proper battle with Mega Man]]. Once Wily is dealt with, and he has his proper battle against Mega Man, he is finally satisfied, and ascends to a higher plane of existence, leaving his last Energy Element for Mega Man.]]

* In ''File/TerminatorGenisys'' [[spoiler: a T-800 Terminator is sent back to Sarah Connor's childhood to protect her]] and we have ''no idea'' who did it.

** All except Klinger, who overhears Charles talking with the orphanage head. The scene where he reveals his knowledge to Charles is one of the show's true [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming Crowning Moments Of Heartwarming]].

* Hayate in ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha A's'' has the mysterious uncle who provides for her every need ever since her parents died. He's later revealed to be [[spoiler:[[WellIntentionedExtremist Admiral Gil Graham]], [[ApocalypseMaiden who knew that she possessed]] [[ArtifactOfDoom the Book of Darkness]] and [[SealedEvilInACan was planning to permanently seal the book with her when the time is right]]]].
** It seems to mainly be a case of Hayate not referring to him by name when she mentions him to Signum in Episode 6, as she specifically asks Shamal to send her package to [[spoiler:"Graham-oji-san"]] in the last episode of ''[[Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs A's]]'', and mentions him being responsible for raising her in Episode 13 of ''[[Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikerS StrikerS]]'', which would suggest she knows her benefactor's name.

* Villain example. In ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'', Kraven the Hunter receives anonymous tips about Spider-man, convincing him that Spidey is the only WorthyOpponent he'll ever find and that he should hunt him. It turns out this was all part of the Master Planner [[spoiler: aka Doc Ock's]] plan to recruit Kraven for his new Sinister Six.

* In Literature/TheMysteriousIsland, various events of good fortune happen to the impromptu colonists on Lincoln Island, which they gradually come to realize are not an accident but some unknown benevolent force assisting them. Eventually, they discover their benefactor is none other than [[spoiler: Captain Nemo himself.]]

* In the DoctorWhoExpandedUniverse book ''Literature/TimeLordFairyTales'', this is played with in "Helena and the Beast". Rather than a curse, this Beast is the victim of an accident that scrambled his DNA, and only a scientific cure can save him -- one it seems no one can formulate. The heroine winds up helping him by helping an UnexpectedCharacter, [[spoiler: the Twelfth Doctor]], serve as this trope, though neither of the lovers learns the whys and wherefores of their willingness to help, much less who they actually are.

* Happened in an early ArchieComics ''[[Comicbook/ArchieComicsSonicTheHedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' comic. In one story, a distraught Tails tells Antoine that he lost a backpack with a Power Ring that Sonic told him to hold onto, and he can't go get it because it's late and dangerous and other, concerned-for-his-safety Freedom Fighters will never let him out of Knothole at this hour, but he can't ask Sonic for help because he's petrified of disappointing his hero. Antoine, sympathetic to his plight and gratified that his first choice for a Plan B was [[ButtMonkey the town laughingstock]], agrees to help. Throughout his search, Antoine is saved numerous times from certain doom by contrived coincidences he appears not to notice. Once he's returned with the backpack and sent Tails off to bed, he thanks Bunnie for running interference, who protests feebly but isn't fooling him.

* A Christmas episode of ''TheJeffersons'' had George doing this for the family that lived in the same crummy apartment he grew up in.

* ''CrimeStory'' featured a brutally karmic version - a director of porn movies who used captive young runaways in his films is caught and arrested. Awaiting trial, he's visited by a high-priced lawyer from an anonymous benefactor, who easily gets him acquitted. The director smugly assumes someone powerful appreciates his talent and will be funding him from now on, then, outside the courthouse he meets the benefactor - the head Don of the syndicate...and grandfather of his latest 'star'. He gets taken for a ride...
* ''ThirtyRock'' has Liz eagerly playing Santa for a poor family in a charity program - when she arrives at a low-income apartment with a big box of stuff, a man takes it without a word and shuts the door. She gets furious thinking it was part of a big scam, so she comes back later demanding satisfaction - and a cute young child answers the door. She melts at the sight of him and tells him that she bought the gifts. The child, shocked, realizes there is no Santa, and his dad chews her out for her self-centeredness.

* ''ThirtyRock'' has Liz eagerly playing Santa for a poor family in a charity program - when she arrives at a low-income apartment with a big box of stuff, a man takes it without a word and shuts the door. She gets furious thinking it was part of a big scam, so she comes back later demanding satisfaction - and a cute young child answers the door. She melts at the sight of him and tells him that she bought the gifts. The child, shocked, realizes there is no Santa, and his dad bawls her out for her self-centeredness.

* In ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'', Valerie's life is ruined after ghosts ruin her father's laboratory. As she pines for a way to destroy all of ghost-kind in revenge, a mysterious box from the [[SdrawkcabName DALV]] Corporation grants her a high-tech suit and HoverBoard, both loaded to the gills with weaponry, so she can do just that. She doesn't recognize the DALV Corporation at all, but she's more than happy to accept their gifts.

* In ''Anime/{{Mai-Otome}}'', Sergay Wang supports Arika while she is at school without her knowing who he truly is. [[spoiler:When she and Nina find out he was her benefactor all along in the middle of Nagi's attack, this sets the stage for Nina's FaceHeelTurn]].

* In TamoraPierce's ''Literature/ProtectorOfTheSmall'' series (a follow-up to her ''Literature/SongOfTheLioness'' quartet), Kel, the main character, receives gifts from an anonymous benefactor. These gifts, like bruise balm and training weights, help her in her quest to become the realm's second Lady Knight (the first being ''[=SotL=]'''s Alanna). At the end of the third book, after two books worth of build-up, we learn the Anonymous Benefactor is [[spoiler:Alanna herself. Not a huge twist and not even supposed to be, as we know from the beginning that Alanna wanted to help Kel with practical advice and is forbidden by the King for political reasons]].

* Hayate in ''MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha A's'' has the mysterious uncle who provides for her every need ever since her parents died. He's later revealed to be [[spoiler:[[WellIntentionedExtremist Admiral Gil Graham]], [[ApocalypseMaiden who knew that she possessed]] [[ArtifactOfDoom the Book of Darkness]] and [[SealedEvilInACan was planning to permanently seal the book with her when the time is right]]]].

* Maya Kitajima of GlassMask enjoys the attention of an anonymous fan from the very beginning of her career. "Purple Rose" (as she calls him, for the bouquets of purple roses he sends after performances) is later revealed to Maya to be [[spoiler: Masumi Hayami, a businessman whose outward persona aggravates Maya.]]

* Villain example. In ''TheSpectacularSpiderMan'', Kraven the Hunter receives anonymous tips about Spider-man, convincing him that Spidey is the only WorthyOpponent he'll ever find and that he should hunt him. It turns out this was all part of the Master Planner [[spoiler: aka Doc Ock's]] plan to recruit Kraven for his new Sinister Six.

* ScroogeMcDuck tend to make charity anonymously, because the more people think he's an heartless skinflint, the less people will try and beg or mooch off him.