The Real People Who Inspired Timeless Fictional Characters

Make My Day, Punk

Photo Credits: Nancy Wong / Wikipedia

Real-life Detective David Toschi spent 34 years with the San Francisco Police Department, working on more than 100 homicide cases. One of these cases was that of the Zodiac killer during the 1960s, which he spent a total of nine years working on. During this time, he became one of San Francisco’s best-known officers.

His dedication to his work, as well as his quirks, made him into an adapted film character. While Steve McQueen copied his style in the film Bullitt, he also inspired the role of Harry Callahan from Dirty Harry. Although Harry’s policing methods may have been on the more questionable side of things, it is clear that Toschi was a direct influence.