Born in 1933 in Lithuania to a Lithuanian count and an Italian aristocrat
Traumatized as a child in 1944 when he witnessed his sister Mischa’s murder and cannibalization by deserting Lithuanian Hilfswillige
Developed a cannibalistic serial killer pathology, preferring to eat victims who exhibit bad manners
Highly intelligent, cultured, and refined, with impeccable taste and manners
Skilled forensic psychiatrist before his incarceration
Consulted by FBI agents Will Graham and Clarice Starling to help them catch other serial killers
Portrayed by Brian Cox (Manhunter), Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, Red Dragon), Gaspard Ulliel (Hannibal Rising), Aaran Thomas (young; Hannibal Rising), and Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal TV series)
Characterized as a complex, nuanced, and darkly fascinating figure, blurring the lines between villain and anti-hero