Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump is the protagonist, a mentally and physically challenged young man, whose mother raised him to believe that he is no different than anyone else. His mental limitations are often charming to the people around him, and he finds himself accidentally in historically significant situations time and time again, from the integration of the University of Alabama to the night of the Watergate scandal. Forrest is gentle and kindhearted, showing affection and love to his childhood friend, Jenny Curran. He is devoted to her and wants to protect her from danger, even though she struggles with some horrible demons.
Benjamin Buford "Bubba" Blue
Benjamin Buford "Bubba" Blue is Forrest's best friend from his time in the military. Bubba is a black man from the bayou whose one true dream is to have a shrimping boat. After he dies during the Vietnam War, Forrest becomes determined to buy a shrimping boat in Bubba's honor.
Jenny Curran
Jenny Curran is Forrest's only friend from childhood, a beautiful girl with a troubled biography. She is very kind to Forrest and encourages him to protect himself from the bullies at their school. She also struggles with being raised in a household where her father sexually abuses her. She has big dreams of becoming a famous folk singer and follows her free-spirited heart far away from Greenbow, becoming a hippie and then a druggie disco dancer, until she finally settles down and heals from years of addiction. She tragically dies from an unknown virus (presumably HIV) at the end of the film.
Mrs. Gump
Mrs. Gump is Forrest's mother, a warmhearted but steely woman who teaches Forrest to believe in himself, even when others make him feel less-than. She is so proud of all that Forrest accomplishes and tells him that being his mother is part of her "destiny."
Lieutenant Dan
Lieutenant Dan is Forrest's officer in Vietnam. A smooth and confident man who is committed to his family's legacy—he has an ancestor who died in each of the American wars—Dan is exceedingly disappointed and depressed when Forrest saves him from an attack in Vietnam. He loses both his legs and lives off disability checks in Manhattan, until Forrest comes and encourages him to start living more heartily again. He eventually teams up with Forrest in the shrimping business, which makes him a wealthy man.
