Where would the hobbits be without Gandalf’s grizzled guidance, or Simba without Rafiki’s shrewd shamanism? The heroes of film, TV, and theater would be lost—perhaps trapped on Mount Doom or renouncing their rightful place as ruler of Pride Rock—without a wise elder to help show them the way.
The wise old man, the sage, the wise old woman, or the wise crone are all examples of the elder stock character who helps the protagonist by providing wisdom and counsel. Sometimes, they’re merely a smart mortal with life experience; other times they can take a mythical or otherworldly slant.
The wise old man trope is, well, old. The archetype was popularized by name by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, who included it among the archetypes that he felt populated the human unconscious (he also called this archetype the senex). The concept of the sage, however, is as old as storytelling itself. It appears in Greek myths in the form of an oracle, and some could argue that the ancient Egyptian sphinx is a sort of prototype for the wise old man.
Gandalf, “The Lord of the Rings”
One of the protagonists of J. R. R. Tolkien’s beloved novels “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” (together turned into a series of six feature films directed by Peter Jackson), Gandalf is one of the first to spring to mind when you think of the wise old man—and with good reason. Most famously played by Sir Ian McKellen in the Jackson films, Gandalf checks every box for the wise old man, both spiritually and physically. He’s tall, bearded, and berobed, as well as righteous, wise, a little enigmatic, and ancient.
Albus Dumbledore, “Harry Potter”
Another famed wizard in the sage category is Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore, who appears in J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series and their subsequent film adaptations (which were directed by Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell, and David Yates). Dumbledore has the unique distinction of having been played by two different actors inside of one film universe. Michael Gambon inherited the role after the passing of Richard Harris, who played the role in the first two films. Despite being tasked with playing the exact same all-knowledgeable headmaster, each had his own approach. As shown in these clips, Harris leaned even-keeled, kind, and a bit feeble; Gambon provided the character with a more fiery undercurrent.
Rafiki, “The Lion King”
Although the spry mandrill may physically subvert the sage archetype, Rafiki certainly embodies its other components. First appearing in the 1994 animated film (directed by Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers), where he was voiced by Robert Guillaume, and later in the 1997 Broadway musical of the same name (originally played by Tsidii Le Loka), Rafiki serves as the prideland’s resident sage. Though technically mortal, he’s at the very least deeply spiritual, and possibly a little otherworldly: It is Rafiki who convinces Simba to return home after years on the run by (seemingly) summoning the spirit of his father, Mufasa. Though silly and jovial, Rafiki is also a little enigmatic and often speaks in riddles, harking back to the stock character’s oracle origins.
Arvide Abernathy, “Guys and Dolls”
In the Tony Award–winning 1950 musical “Guys and Dolls” (music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows), Abernathy (famously portrayed by Regis Toomey in Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s 1955 film adaptation) serves as the resident venerable elder. When missionary Sarah becomes skeptical of gambler Skye Masterson’s promise to give her 12 genuine sinners for her mission, her kind and patient grandfather Arvide is there to encourage her to stay the course. Just listen to the lyrics of his song “More I Cannot Wish You” to feel all wrapped up in grandfatherly love.
Berthe, “Pippin”
Though maybe a little more wry and brash than the more stereotypical entries on this list, Berthe still checks off all the category’s boxes. When Pippin, the hero of the 1972 musical of the same name (music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Roger O. Hirson) becomes disillusioned after spending time in the army, he seeks out advice from his grandmother, Berthe. She encourages Pippin to take a step back and enjoy his life through a catchy song…and then is never heard from again. Brief or not, the encounter is memorable enough to divert Pippin’s attention from the conquests of war to those of the flesh. You can watch nearly all of Berthe’s stage time in the clip below, as expertly played by Andrea Martin in the 2013 revival.
- Consider quirks. This character type is known for its eccentricities, so bring your best beard stroke, eye twinkle, and knowledgeable gaze to the part. Mannerisms like these help make the archetype recognizable to viewers.
- Keep it multidimensional. Avoiding falling into stereotype territory can be tricky with stock characters, and with the sage archetype, there can definitely be a temptation to play “generically kind” or “generically wise.” But just because the sage is probably a model citizen doesn’t mean he can’t have a lot going on underneath the surface. Finding flaws or even just uncertainties, like Gandalf’s overly trusting and lackadaisical nature, can keep the character grounded, relatable, and realistic.
- Consider how old you want to play it. If you aren’t given the character’s exact age—and you probably won’t be, in most cases—you’ll have to decide just how old you want to play them. Sometimes, the answer might be that your character is incredibly ancient, and sometimes keeping them light on their feet may add to their air of mystery. In fact, your character doesn’t actually have to be an elder in order to make the cut as a wise old man; sometimes old just means older than the person they’re advising. For example, in NBC’s 2015 telecast of “The Sound of Music Live,” the Mother Abbess (a classic sage role) was expertly played by esteemed actress Audra McDonald, despite the fact that she was only 45 years old (for comparison, actress Peggy Wood was 73 in the 1965 film).
- Bring yourself to the role. One of the best things you can do to bring a touch of humanity to your deeply wise character is to bring yourself to it. When asked about his approach to the role of Dumbledore, Gambon told the Los Angeles Times, “Essentially, I play myself. A little Irish, a little scary. That’s what I’m like in real life.”
