Characters

Syd

"An aspiring musician trying to start his own new-wave band."

Unique skills: Syd can play the piano. He will accept to put the hamster in the microwave.
Intro speech: "Let's do it."
Comments: Syd has exactly the same skills as Razor.

Michael F. Stoppe

"Award winning photographer for the college newspaper."

Unique skills: Michael can develop film.
Intro speech: "Did any of you guys see that movie? Four kids went into this strange house and ...uh... never mind."

Wendy

"Wants to be a famous novelist and is waiting for a big break."

Unique skills: Wendy is a good writer.
Intro speech: none
Comments: Wendy's surname is stated to be "Wells" on a number of websites, but this is unofficial and isn't seen in either the game or the official documents. That surname was made up by fans, and has since then spread over the internet.

Bernard

"President of the physics club and winner of the college's Geek Award."

Unique skills: Bernard can fix the radio and the telephone. He is a useful character but he also has weaknesses: he is a coward and he runs away upon first seeing Green Tentacle. In some versions of the game, he can also spontaneously attempt to crack the security door, fail, and blow up the house.
Intro speech: "Dave: - If anyone wants to back out...
Bernard: - Ok, I'm outta here!
Dave: - BERNARD! Don't be a tuna head! It's Sandy we're talking about!
Bernard: - Ok."
Comments: Bernard's surname is "Bernoulli" in Day of the Tentacle, but no surname is ever mentioned in Maniac Mansion.

Razor

"Lead singer for the punk band 'Razor and the Scummettes'."

Unique skills: Razor can play the piano. She will accept to put the hamster in the microwave.
Intro speech: "I heard Dr.Fred was kinda cute."
Comments: Razor has exactly the same skills as Syd. According to an article published in British magazine Edge, she was based on Gary Winnick's girlfriend.

Jeff Woodie

"Usually hangs out on the beach, responds to the name Surfer Dude."

Unique skills: Jeff can fix the telephone.
Intro speech: "I thought we were going to the beach!"
Comments: Jeff is a fun character but he is useless. Apart from Dave, he is the only character who does not have a way to make Purple Tentacle go away. His only ability (being able to fix the telephone) is not necessary to win, and Bernard can also do it. In the Commodore 64 version, all characters make noise when they walk, except Jeff as he isn't wearing shoes (this has no effect on the game, however).

Sandy Pantz

Sandy is Dave's girlfriend and your goal is to save her. She is a stereotypical stupid blonde cheerleader.

For most of the game, you will only see her in cut-scenes with Dr.Fred or Purple Tentacle, usually being terrified and screaming for help.

Dr.Fred

Dr.Fred is the game's main antagonist (along with the Meteor) and Sandy's kidnapper. A retired physician, he is now an archetypal "mad scientist" under the influence of the Meteor.

For most of the game, you will only see him in ominous cut-scenes, and you will only get to interact with him at the very end.

Dr.Fred's name is "Edison" in Day of the Tentacle, but no surname is ever mentioned in Maniac Mansion.

The Meteor

The Meteor is a sentient and criminal piece of rock who constantly oozes purple slime. He is wanted by the Meteor Police for unspecified "terrible acts of violence". He wants to take over the Earth with the help of Dr.Fred, whose mind he controls.

Edna

Edna is Dr.Fred's wife and a retired nurse. She mainly stays in her room but is occasionally found in other parts of the house. She is hostile to you for the whole duration of the game and will send you to the dungeon if she catches you.

Some of her dialogue lines hint that she is into sado-masochism and obscene phone calls.

Edna's name is "Edison" in Day of the Tentacle, but no surname is ever mentioned in Maniac Mansion. According to an article published in British magazine Edge, she was based on Ron Gilbert's mother (!).

Ed

"Weird" Ed is the son of Dr.Fred and Edna. A neurotic character, he is obsessed with the military and strongly resents the Meteor's presence in the house. He is most of all fond of his pet hamster.

He mainly stays in his room but is occasionally found in other parts of the house. He is initially hostile to you and will send you to the dungeon if he catches you. It is however possible to make friends with him.

Ed's name is "Edison" in Day of the Tentacle, but no surname is ever mentioned in Maniac Mansion.

Ted

Ted is a dead cousin of Dr.Fred's family. He died sometime in May 1972 ans his mummified corpse still rests in the house.

While there are hints that Ted may still be alive (he moves to avoid water and there is a TV inside his sarcophagus), these hints are for comedic effect and you do not interact with him during the game.

Ted's name is "Edison" in Day of the Tentacle, but no surname is ever mentioned in Maniac Mansion.

Green Tentacle

Green Tentacle is a sentient disembodied tentacle who lives in Dr.Fred's house. According to the hint poster (see the "Box art and goodies" section), he once belonged to the pet octopus of the college's biology department.

He is originally neutral to you, but he resents the meteor's presence in the house and it is possible to make friends with him.

His dream is to achieve success with his rock band, named "GT and the Suction Cups".

Purple Tentacle

Purple Tentacle is a sentient disembodied tentacle who lives in Dr.Fred's house. According to the hint poster (see the "Box art and goodies" section), he once belonged to the pet octopus of the college's biology department.

He is Dr.Fred's paid henchman and he happily does everything Dr.Fred tells him to. He is ruthless, but his loyalty is questionable.

He spends most of his time guarding the entrance to the secret lab, but Dr.Fred can also send him to investigate if you cut off the house's power or open the water walve of the swimming pool. He will send you to the dungeon if he catches you.

Mark Eteer

Mark Eteer is a publisher of books, music and video games.

If you turn on the TV, you get to see the advertisement for his company, "3 guys who publish anything, Inc.".

Later on, you can mail him different things and see his reaction in a cut-scene, sometimes landing you a contract.

The Meteor Police

The Meteor Police are an alien police force who want to capture the Meteor for unspecified "terrible acts of violence".

They can be contacted using the radio.

Wink Smiley

Wink Smiley is a talk-show host for "The Late Show with Wink Smiley". He is briefly featured in one of the game's endings.

He is probably a parody of David Letterman.