Greg Heffley

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Greg Heffley
Diary of a Wimpy Kid character
Greg Heffley.svg
First appearance Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2007 book) [a]
Created by Jeff Kinney
Designed byJeff Kinney
Portrayed by Zachary Gordon (2010–2012)
Nathaniel Marten (2010, cameo as an adult in a flash-forward)
Dylan Bell (2010, cameo as a kindergartener in a flashback)
Jason Drucker (2017)
Patrick Scott McDermott/Huxley Westemeier (Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical) [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Voiced byL.J. Bennet (singing voice for live action 2010 film)
Brady Noon (CGI film series, 2021–2022) [7] [8] [9]
Wesley Kimmel (CGI film series, 2023–present)
In-universe information
Full nameGregory Heffley
NicknameGreg
GenderMale
OccupationStudent
Family Frank Heffley (father)
Susan Heffley (mother)
Manny Heffley (younger brother)
Rodrick Heffley (older brother)
Gramma (maternal grandmother)
Grampa (maternal grandfather; possibly deceased)
Home12 Surrey Street, Plainview
NationalityAmerican

Gregory "Greg" Heffley is a fictional character in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise, serving as the antiheroic main protagonist and unreliable narrator of the books, online series, and multimedia franchise. He was created by Jeff Kinney, and portrayed by Zachary Gordon and Jason Drucker in the first three films and the fourth film, respectively. [10] [11]

Contents

Characteristics and role

Greg was originally conceptualized in early 1998, after creator Jeff Kinney struggled to become a newspaper cartoonist. [12] In all of his appearances, Greg is portrayed as a self-righteous narcissist, who has little-to-no moral compass, is only looking out for himself, and has an obsession with becoming rich and famous. He steals, lies, cheats, and is a bully to the few less popular than him at Westmore Middle School. [13] Greg is obsessed with his social status, but is bullied by the bigger students at his school and his older teenage brother, Rodrick. He often mistreats his best and only friend, Rowley, for being wimpy and socially inept, despite Rowley having a happy family and life. Greg receives bad grades in school, is addicted to video games, especially the fictional Twisted Wizard, and loves junk food. Despite these negative traits, he does show humanity, sensitivity, and care for those he loves. [14] [15] [16]

Because of these qualities, internet users began to question if Greg was a sociopath. Jeff Kinney stated: [17]

Greg is recording his life at a time when he shouldn't be recording. It's right when he's not a fully formed person, and I think that people that give Greg a label are sort of missing the joke. Right off the bat, Greg says, "One day when I'm rich and famous, I won't have time to answer people's stupid questions." Whatever that is – I'm not sure how you label that – it's misguided. It's a little bit cocksure. But I don't think it's anything worse than that.

Kinney, on separate occasions, has also clarified that Greg is supposed to represent an average and normal selfish middle schooler. [18] Kinney never intended to write books for children, which is why Greg is a complicated and flawed character. [19] Kinney has also denied the sociopath theories stating he always saw Greg as an "accurate kid" and people who give him that distinction are "missing the joke". [20] [21]

Film appearances

In the original trilogy of the film series adaptations, Greg was portrayed by actor Zachary Gordon. [10] In the film adaptation of The Long Haul however, Greg was instead portrayed by Jason Drucker. [11] After the film series was given a reboot during the acquisition of 21st Century Fox, Greg was voiced by Brady Noon in the animated adaptation of the first book and its sequel. [22] He was voiced by Wesley Kimmel in the third animated film. [23]

Reception

Greg in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Macys Thanksgiving Parade (26845799939).jpg
Greg in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Due to Greg's narcissistic and selfish traits, some parents began to question if Greg was a negative influence on kids. [24] [18] In 2008, Aish called the character "totally diabolical" and that parents should avoid the series at all costs. [25] In Texas in October 2018, Greg's bad morals and pessimistic world view challenged the book to be banned. [26] Tidy Books wrote that Greg never learned from his lessons and rarely gets punished or gives sincere apologies, and that the writing is too subtle for kids to realize that he is doing the wrong thing and is an unreliable narrator. [27] Some, such as reviewer Declan Rowles, have criticized the disapproval against the character, stating that the series doesn't glorify Greg's behavior and the majority of children understand that. [28]

His film counterpart was given similar reception as Rotten Tomatoes has said that Greg is an "unlikable protagonist". [29] Margaret Pomeranz disliked the character of Greg Heffley, saying "I really thought he was unpleasant. I did not want to spend time with him. I couldn't wait for the end of this film." [30] However, reception to the character improved since the first film and in her review of the Dog Days film, Abby West of Entertainment Weekly wrote that "though often self-centered and conniving, Greg remains a likeable kid". [31]

Greg's character has also garnered widespread acclaim for his relatability and anti-hero status. [32] In a review, Sebastian Hall for Cherwell remarked that Greg embodied the disillusionment and irony characteristic of modern comic heroes. Hall argued that Greg's self-delusion and hubris, such as his attempts to belittle Rowley Jefferson or his misguided pursuit of popularity, is central to the series' humor. He compares Greg's struggles with contemporary issues, like technology clashes and commercialism, to literary figures like Adrian Mole and Gordon Comstock, portraying him as a voice of modern frustrations. [33]

Notes

  1. This was a predecessor to the original book, published on Funbrain. [1]

Related Research Articles

<i>Diary of a Wimpy Kid</i> (book) 2007 novel by Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a children's novel written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney. It is the first book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The book is about a boy named Greg Heffley and his attempts to become popular in his first year of middle school.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Kinney</span> American author, cartoonist and screenwriter (born 1971)

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is a children's novel by American author and cartoonist Jeff Kinney, based on the FunBrain.com version. It is the sequel to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, followed by The Last Straw. The hardcover was released on February 1, 2008. Rodrick Rules was named New York Times bestseller among awards and praise. A live-action film based on the book was released on March 25, 2011, and an animated film adaptation was released on Disney+ on December 2, 2022.

<i>Diary of a Wimpy Kid</i> Comic-style book series by Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is an American children's book series and media franchise created by American author and cartoonist Jeff Kinney. The series follows Greg Heffley, a middle-schooler who illustrates his daily life in a diary.

<i>Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw</i> Novel by Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw is a novel written by American author and cartoonist Jeff Kinney, the third book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The book acts as a journal and follows the adventures of Greg Heffley, the narrator of the book, who is in the second half of his seventh-grade year. This book was released in the US on January 13, 2009. An animated film based on the book is in the works for Disney+.

<i>Diary of a Wimpy Kid</i> (2010 film) 2010 film by Thor Freudenthal

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a 2010 American comedy film directed by Thor Freudenthal and based on Jeff Kinney's 2007 book of the same name. The film stars Zachary Gordon, Robert Capron, Devon Bostick, Rachael Harris, Steve Zahn, and Chloë Grace Moretz.

<i>Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth</i> Novel by Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth is a 2010 bestselling children's fiction book by American author and cartoonist Jeff Kinney and is the fifth book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The Ugly Truth sold 548,000 copies in its initial week of publication, edging out George W. Bush's memoir Decision Points, which sold 437,000 copies.

<i>Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules</i> (2011 film) 2011 film by David Bowers

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is a 2011 American comedy film directed by David Bowers in his live-action directorial debut and based on Jeff Kinney's 2008 book of the same name. It stars Zachary Gordon, Devon Bostick, Robert Capron, Rachael Harris, Steve Zahn, and Peyton List. The film is the second installment in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series, following Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010), and follows the relationship between seventh grader Greg Heffley (Gordon) and his older brother, Rodrick (Bostick).

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever is a 2011 bestselling and award-winning children's book and the sixth book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, written by American author Jeff Kinney. The book was released on November 15, 2011, the paperback edition was released on January 31, 2013, and was the fastest-selling book of 2011, giving him the third-strongest opening-week sales for a children's author. Cabin Fever had a first printing run of six million copies, which Amulet Books stated was one of their most significant titles for that year. In 2012 Kinney won a "Best Author" Children's Choice Award from the Children's Book Council for Cabin Fever. The book received widespread acclaim from critics and is frequently said to be one of the best books in the series. The book was followed by 2012's The Third Wheel.

<i>Diary of a Wimpy Kid</i> (film series) Family comedy film series

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a series of family comedy films based on the book series of the same name by Jeff Kinney. It consists of four live action films and three animated films.

<i>Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days</i> (film) 2012 film by David Bowers

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days is a 2012 American comedy film directed by David Bowers from a screenplay by Wallace Wolodarsky and Maya Forbes. It stars Zachary Gordon and Steve Zahn. Robert Capron, Devon Bostick, Rachael Harris, Peyton List, Grayson Russell, and Karan Brar also have prominent roles. It is the third installment in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series. It was released by 20th Century Fox on August 3, grossing $77 million at the box office, and like its predecessors, it received mixed reviews.

<i>Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck</i> 2013 book by Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck is a children's novel written by Jeff Kinney and the eighth book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. It was released on November 5, 2013. In this book, Greg's best friend Rowley ditches him, and Greg struggles to make new friends. On Easter, he finds a Magic 8 Ball and attempts to change his luck by using it to make decisions for him and cheat at school. Hard Luck received generally positive reviews from critics and was the bestselling book of 2013.

<i>Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul</i> (film) 2017 film by David Bowers

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul is a 2017 American road comedy film written and directed by David Bowers. It serves as a standalone sequel to Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days, the fourth installment in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series and the final live-action film in the franchise. It was based on the ninth book of the same name, with elements of the seventh, eighth, and tenth books in the series, and was cowritten by the books' author, Jeff Kinney. It is also the only live-action installment in the series not to feature the cast members from the first three films. It instead features a completely different cast, and the plot follows the Heffleys as they go on a road trip to Meemaw's 90th birthday party, without realizing the various calamities that will occur along the way.

<i>Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jeffersons Journal</i> Spin off book by Jeff Kinney

Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal is a spin-off of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney. Unlike the main-series books, which are written from the perspective of Greg Heffley, Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid is written from the perspective of Greg's best friend, Rowley Jefferson, acting as Greg's biographer. The book was released on April 9, 2019. A sequel, titled Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Adventure was released on August 4, 2020, delayed from an initial release date of April 7, 2020. A third book in the spin-off series, titled Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories, was released on March 16, 2021.

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball is a children's novel written by Jeff Kinney and the fourteenth book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The series follows an unlucky middle school student named Greg Heffley, his family, and his friends. The books are illustrated with simple, black-and-white drawings from Greg's perspective. Wrecking Ball focuses on Greg; his mother, Susan; his father, Frank; and his best friend, Rowley; as the Heffley family renovate their house and prepare to move to a new neighborhood. It was released on November 5, 2019.

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a 2021 animated comedy film directed by Swinton Scott from a screenplay by Jeff Kinney, based on his 2007 book of the same name. It is the second film adaptation of the book, following the 2010 live-action film, while serving as the first fully-animated reboot in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series, and the fifth installment overall. The film stars the voices of Brady Noon, Ethan William Childress, Chris Diamantopoulos, Erica Cerra, and Hunter Dillon.

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot is the sixteenth book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney. It was released on October 26, 2021. The story follows Greg Heffley as he reluctantly signs up for basketball. It received generally positive reviews and was a best-seller for several weeks following its release.

<i>Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules</i> (2022 film) Disney+ original animated film

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is a 2022 animated comedy film directed by Luke Cormican from a screenplay by Jeff Kinney, based on his 2008 book of the same name. It is a sequel to Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2021) and is the second adaptation of Rodrick Rules following the 2011 live-action film, while also being the second fully-animated film in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series and the sixth installment overall. Brady Noon, Ethan William Childress, Chris Diamantopoulos, Erica Cerra, and Hunter Dillon reprise their roles as characters from the first film, while Ed Asner posthumously portrays Grandpa Heffley. The film is one of Asner's final voice acting roles recorded shortly before his death on August 29, 2021 and is dedicated to his memory.

<i>Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever</i> 2023 film by Luke Cormican

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever is a 2023 animated Christmas comedy film directed by Luke Cormican. It is the seventh installment in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series, the third animated feature, and the first adaptation of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney. Wesley Kimmel replaced Brady Noon as Greg Heffley, while Hunter Dillion, Erica Cerra and Chris Diamantopoulos reprised their roles as Rodrick, Susan and Frank respectively. Ethan William Childress is replaced by Spencer Howell in the role of Rowley.

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