Everyone from ‘The Wire’

The Characters: Well, pretty much everyone on HBO's series 'The Wire,' which, by the way, is the best television series of all time and you should watch it if you haven't already. But you've been hearing that for years, right? The show followed organized crime in Baltimore, Maryland, and the sad, cyclical nature of the drug game, law enforcement, and local government.

The Inspiration: Most notably, characters Bubbles, Omar Little, Marlo Stanfield, Avon Barksdale, Jay Landsman, Roland Pryzbylewski, and Bunk Moreland were all inspired by real-life people.

The heroin-addicted and kind-hearted Bubbles who often worked as an informant for the police was inspired by a confidential informant that went by the name of Possum. The hat trick Bubbles uses to help the police catch criminals? That was a real thing Possum used to do.

As for Landsman, he was inspired by a homicide detective of the same name. The real Landsman became a regular cast member on the show, playing Major Dennis Mello in seasons three through five.

Omar Little was inspired by several guys -- Shorty Boyd, Donnie Andrews, Ferdinand Harvin, Billy Outlaw, and Anthony Hollie. He's a likable guy who does some bad things, but he only ever goes after other criminals. Omar was based on a group of stick-up men who worked the streets of Baltimore from the 80s to the early 00s.

Bunk Moreland was based on Rick Requer, who also went by the nickname of Bunk and whose eloquent affectations inspired his namesake.

Roland Pryzbylewski was inspired by series co-creator Ed Burns, and his character's arc was drawn from Burns' own experiences as a detective. Like "Prez," Burns also became a teacher upon leaving the police force.

Timmirror Stanfield served as the basis for cold-hearted player Marlo Stanfield -- Timmirror's 50-man gang controlled a large portion of Baltimore's territory in the 80s and were responsible for several murders.

And finally, Avon Barksdale -- Barksdale begins the series as a major drug kingpin, and his character was inspired by Melvin Williams, a drug dealer whom Ed Burns investigated during his time on the force. Williams was similarly violent and dealt heroin in the 70s and 80s before being sent to prison. And like a few others, Williams also became a cast member on the show he inspired, joining 'The Wire' in later seasons as a church deacon.