| The Green Hornet |
| Cast of characters |
| Hayashi Kato (played by Jackie Chan) is also near retirement age. After a few years off as the Hornet's Kato, he does a stint as a stand-up comic in LA comedy clubs. Years of being the silent sideman drove him to strike out on his own. His comedy career is not doing well, but he keeps trying. A widower, he is very much a lonely man. Since the only girl he ever lover died giving birth to his daughter. He has a memorial to her set up in his quarter in the Reid compound. He lights incense and talks to her daily, so many years after her death. They were only married a year, and Kato now lives a life of lonely isolation, having lost his wife and being estranged from his daughter. Life is not many laughs for this would-be comic, whose happiness and in some ways life itself, is behind him. Much of Kato's character early in the story comes to us in his one-sided 'talks' with Emiko, his late wife. |
| Mishi Kato (Kato's daughter) (played by Shannon Lee) Kato's daughter, whose mother Emiko died during childbirth, is a valley girl. Totally into herself and superficial things, she is shallow and frequently disrespectful, particularly to her father. The only person she never disrespects is Lenore Reid, who raised her as her own daughter after her mother's death. Mishi's transformation as she matures adds much to the Kato legacy. |
| Britt Reid III, (played by Hugh Jackman) Britt III is all-business, very into his newspaper empire and social life. He knows about his father's double life as the Hornet, but is not very interested in crimefighting. A cruel killing in his family will change young Britt, and the Reid family legacy gains yet another Green Hornet. Britt III is very close to his disabled dad and extremely devoted to his mother. |
| Britt Reid II (played by Van Williams) Disabled and confined to a wheelchair following a gunshot wound received during his earlier 'Hornet' days. Britt II is retired. His life today revolves around his wife and son. He is still the unofficial head of the Daily Sentinel, and is recognized along with his wife as prominent citizens. They are well-known for their philanthropic and humanitarian causes. |
| Lenore Reid (played by Linda Lee) The former Lenore Case married Britt Reid II in 1970. Five years later, their son Britt III was born. As their son grew up, he joined his parents in the newspaper business. He eventually took over as owner/Editor of the Daily Sentinel at age 29 when his father retired. Always devoted to her husband and son, Lenore has devoted the last few years to her lifelong dream of a hospital for children. |
| Frank Scanlon (played by Gene Hackman) is Britt II's longtime friend and confidant. Since he's officially retired and NOT the current District Attorney, he uses his own old friendships and connections to assist in the manhunt for gangleader Cavendish. He also spends time with the new Hornet and Kato explaining past and present views the police department have regarding the crimefighting duo. |
| Brad Cavendish (played by Ralph Macchio) is an illegitimate son of a woman of ill repute who had a relationship with an outlaw that produced her son Brad. Birth records indicated his father's name. Mother and father were never married, Brad was given up for adoption right after birth. Living the life of a drifter, Brad's life followed the same downward spiral as so many of his forebearers. His ultimate transgression against society produces a new era of crimefighters. |