Charles Ruttheimer III
Charles Ruttheimer III is a fictional animated character who featured frequently on MTV's animated series Daria. In the series, he was a student at Lawndale High, where he was forever attempting to woo "ladies" (always said in a salacious tone) in a perpetual state of amativeness. Charles fancied himself a suave Casanova, but such beliefs would most accurately be described as delusions, as he was the least popular student in the school (at least to the females). His lack of success with girls is almost comparable to Beavis and Butt-head. However, he found success in calling the play-by-plays for the Lawndale Lions, and proved in "Prize Fighters" that he was clever and intelligent.
Only ever addressed or referred to by other students at Lawndale High as "Upchuck," due to his repulsive manner, Charles would make a sexual comment almost every time he appeared on-screen in the company of females, and would frequently deliver his catch phrase "Grrr... feisty!" in response to any insult or rejection thrown his way by women.
Background Information
Very little was ever revealed about Charles's personal life, as he was a secondary character found on a stereotype, one of many comic relief devices used in the series (see also characters Kevin Thompson, Brittany Taylor). His mother only appeared once in the entire series (in "Legends of the Mall"), albeit it was merely a faux flashback and no name was revealed for her. It can be safely assumed his father's name was also Charles, as this was given in The Daria Diaries.
Trivia
- The only time Charles was ever successful at "picking up" a girl was in the Daria movie finale Is It College Yet? In the final scene of the movie, he tried one of his suave pick-up lines on fellow student Andrea, and she nonchalantly accepted. He seemed very surprised, but took advantage of the opportunity right away. This was unusual on her part, considering her comment to him in Fair Enough: "Don't touch me, you Howdy-Doody-looking creep."
- He was one of only two characters on the show with an actual catch phrase, in the traditional sense of the word (the other was Jake Morgendorffer, whose catch phrase was Dammit/Goddammit!). Other characters had catch-phrase-like recurring mannerisms (i.e. Tiffany's slowed speech and easy distraction, Mr. O'Neill's frightened squeals).
- Charles "Upchuck" Ruttheimer III is voiced by actor Marc Thompson, who also gave voice to Anthony DeMartino, Timothy O'Neill, and Kevin Thompson.
- He drives a Volvo sedan.
External Links
- January 2006 interview with Anne D. Bernstein on DVDaria, in which the creator of Upchuck is revealed