CandleFocus

Gordon Gekko

Candlefocus Editor
Gordon Gekko, the iconic villain of Hollywood's 1987 film Wall Street, has become a household name for greed and power. Although Gordon was a fictitious character, he was based on multiple real-life financial figures from Wall Street, with the movie's writer Oliver Stone citing influential individuals such as stock trader Ivan Boesky, investor Michael Ovitz and corporate raider Carl Icahn as models for Gekko's character. This cast of supporting characters and a story written to draw on the Wall Street establishment soon ensured that "Greed is Good", Gordon's most famous line, was accepted as the mantra of a Wall Street generation.

It was Gekko's charm, style and cunning that endeared him to many in the financial world, making him an anti-hero figure and a role model for aspiring financiers. Drawing comparisons to Wall Street bullies willing to do anything to make money, Gekko’s demeanor perfectly encapsulated the ruthlessness of a ruthless institutions hellbent on profiteering. His unbridled ambition was seen as the ultimate success story in an age of high risk, high reward.

Much of Gordon Gekko's success could be attributed to the creativity of the film's creative team. From his vibrant Armani suits and John Lennon sunglasses to his signature parting line "lunch is for wimps", Gekko exuded the air of a successful corporate figure and in turn, demonstrated that success and financial wealth were synonymous. Popular culture has since taken Gekko and transformed him into an easily recognizable archetype, with his unmistakable phrase "greed is good" providing an apt summing of financial capitalistic desires.

The influence of Gordon Gekko is far reaching, with his name being uttered in real world boardrooms, being used as a punchline in television shows, and holding a permanent and powerful presence in America's collective memory. While "Wall Street" may appear dated to some, the allure of Gekko's power and wealth remains powerful and alluring, making him an everlasting part of the American financial landscape.

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