: An illiterate, eccentric young man whom Joon "wins" in a poker game. He is a master of physical comedy, heavily influenced by legends like Buster Keaton , Charlie Chaplin , and Harold Lloyd .

The movie was filmed entirely on location in , which became a "character" in its own right.

: Although right-handed, Depp used his left hand for a writing scene to make Sam's handwriting appear squiggly and childlike. Benny & Joon: What One Movie Got Right in the ... - Psi Chi

: In a famous scene at a diner, Sam uses forks and dinner rolls to mimic Charlie Chaplin's "Oceana Roll" dance from The Gold Rush .