Gentlemen Prefer Blondes · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos.
Skim names here — open a free preview to see character cards and Character Web beside the page as you read.
Dorothy
major
Also known as hers, herself
Dorothy tags along on Lorelei's European adventures, meeting gentlemen on decks and deflating Lady Francis Beekman with a single well-aimed retort. Where Lorelei calculates, Dorothy shrugs — she'd rather lunch with a penniless intellectual like Mr. Mencken than accept gifts from a wealthy film man. Her refusal to play the game makes her both a liability and a foil, showing what Lorelei might be if she cared less about getting ahead.
Mr. Eisman
supporting
Also known as himself
Mr. Eisman shuttles between button factories and the Ritz, treating Lorelei's self-improvement as a serious project while his wife waits at home. He's generous but possessive, happiest when she's dancing only with him, and genuinely eager to meet famous writers like Mr. Lamson. His telegram dispatching the girls to Vienna sets the whole Central European journey in motion, and his button-profession pragmatism anchors Lorelei's glittering world in commerce.
Mr. Spoffard
supporting
Also known as the famous Mr. Spoffard, himself
Mr. Spoffard pays calls on Lorelei's compartment and speaks at length about his mother, whose fine old family required a special school to keep things easy on her brain. He's earnest, devoted, and slightly absurd, and his attentions flatter Lorelei precisely because meeting a gentleman's mother is her idea of a milestone. Dorothy's mockery of Miss Chapman and the ice man rolls right off him, but his arrival signals that Lorelei's ambitions are shifting from shopping to something more permanent.
Henry Spoffard
major
Also known as Harry, Henry, the famous Henry H. Spoffard, himself
Henry Spoffard enters Lorelei's orbit as a man of reputation and reformist zeal, the kind of gentleman whose mother matters and whose name opens doors. On the voyage home, Lorelei spends the crossing deciding whether she really wants to marry him, torn between the security he represents and the life she'd have to give up. His fame and his principles make him both a prize and a puzzle, and his presence pushes the diary toward its central question of what a girl like Lorelei actually wants.
Mr. Gilbertson Montrose
minor
Also known as Mr. Montrose, himself
A British gentleman who interacts with the narrator in London.
Mr. Gerald Lamson
supporting
Also known as Mr. Lamson, Gerry, Gerald Lamson, Gerald, himself
Mr. Lamson is the famous author Mr. Eisman has always wanted to meet, and when Lorelei introduces them, she's careful to let Eisman think her interest is purely literary. She calls him Gerry, nurses a quiet crush, and promises to let him read her diary once they know each other better. His presence complicates the triangle of Eisman's money and Lorelei's ambitions, offering a different kind of attention — intellectual, romantic, and dangerously flattering.
Louie
minor
Also known as himself, your
A character associated with the narrator's circle, possibly a servant or friend.
Lady Francis Beekman
minor
A titled Englishwoman who hosts social events.
Mrs. Henry Spoffard Jr.
minor
Also known as Henry, himself, your
Henry Spoffard's mother, a formidable presence in his life.
Mr. Bartlett
minor
A businessman or acquaintance encountered during the travels.
Miss Chapman
minor
Also known as herself
A woman who travels with or meets the narrator.
Major Falcon
minor
Also known as So Major Falcon
A military man who appears in social settings.
Lulu
minor
A minor character, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Robber
minor
Also known as himself, Your
A thief who interacts with the narrator during her travels.
Sir Francis Beekman
minor
Husband of Lady Francis Beekman, a titled gentleman.
Mons. Broussard
minor
Also known as Broussard, Mons
A French character encountered in Paris.
Papa
minor
Also known as Mama, Mama love Papa
The narrator's father, mentioned in family context.
Gus Eisman
minor
Also known as Gus Eisman the Button King, Gus
A wealthy industrialist, possibly related to Mr. Eisman.
Piggie
minor
A friend or acquaintance of the narrator, often mentioned in social contexts.
Willie Gwynn
minor
Also known as Willie, Fred
A young man who socializes with the narrator.
Joe Sanguinetti
minor
Also known as Joe, himself
An acquaintance of the narrator, possibly a businessman.
Dr. Froyd
minor
A doctor consulted by the narrator, possibly a parody of Freud.
Coocoo
minor
A minor character, possibly a pet or nickname.
Fanny Ward
minor
Also known as Fanny
An actress or socialite mentioned in the narrative.
Lady Shelton
minor
A titled woman in the social circle.
Kiki
minor
A minor character, possibly a friend or entertainer.
Judge Schultzmeyer
minor
A judge encountered during legal matters.
Sam
minor
Also known as Uncle Sam
A personification of the United States, mentioned in passing.
Mrs. Weeks
minor
A minor character, possibly a landlady or acquaintance.
Mr. Jennings
minor
A minor character, possibly a business associate.
the judge
minor
Also known as the Judge
An unnamed judge presiding over a legal matter.
Dolly Madison
minor
Historical figure referenced as a comparison.
Coty
minor
Also known as Mr. Coty
A perfumer mentioned in the narrative.
Mr. Blank
minor
A placeholder name for an unnamed character.
Count Salm
minor
A European count encountered during travels.
Mr. D. W. Griffith
minor
Also known as Mr. Griffith
Famous film director mentioned in passing.
Mr. Mountginz
minor
A minor character, possibly a social acquaintance.
Judge Hibbard
minor
A judge mentioned in legal proceedings.
Rudolf Valentino
minor
Also known as Rudolf
Famous actor referenced as a cultural touchstone.
Mr. Chaplin
minor
Charlie Chaplin, mentioned as a celebrity.
Mr. Cellini
minor
A reference to the Renaissance artist, used as a comparison.
King Edward
minor
Historical king mentioned in social context.
Piggy
minor
Alternate spelling or variant of Piggie.
Mrs. Nash
minor
A minor character, possibly a servant or neighbor.
Peggy Hopkins Joyce
minor
Also known as Joy
A real-life socialite and actress referenced in the book.