Forrest is a young man from Mobile, Alabama, who describes himself as having a low IQ. He possesses savant-like pattern recognition and extraordinary physical size. He approaches the world with simple honesty. He unintentionally finds himself in bizarre historical situations ranging from war to space travel.

Jenny is a young woman who pursues various activist causes and local music groups. She maintains a deep connection with Forrest over decades. She provides him with acceptance despite the complicated trajectory of her own life and romantic choices.

Dan is a tank commander who suffers life-altering injuries in Vietnam. He struggles with deep pessimism and alcoholism. He contrasts sharply with Forrest's straightforward worldview and eventually helps negotiate Forrest's professional wrestling contracts.

Forrest's Mother is a dedicated parent trying to manage her son's educational challenges. She worries constantly about his future and safety. She fears his physical size or limited understanding might result in him being locked in an institution.

Sue is a male ape with a background in the circus before being acquired by NASA. He communicates via sign language. He becomes a steadfast companion to Forrest during their jungle survival and subsequent travels.

Bubba is a college football player who shares an affinity for music with Forrest. He grows up working on shrimp boats and dreams of starting his own shrimping business. He later serves alongside Forrest in Vietnam.

Major Fritch is a female astronaut who undergoes space flight training. Following an unexpected crash landing in New Guinea, she adapts to life in the jungle among the native tribes.

Big Sam is a former Yale student who has integrated into a cannibalistic tribe. He holds authority within the group and teaches Forrest to play chess while delaying the tribe from eating the stranded astronauts.

Coach Bryant is the university football coach who recruits Forrest based purely on his running speed. He focuses entirely on Forrest's physical abilities, simplifying the game so Forrest can excel without needing to memorize strategies.

Curtis is a college football player who rooms with Forrest during their university days. He later joins Forrest to work in the commercial shrimping industry.

Mr. Tribble is an elderly former International Grandmaster at chess. He recognizes Forrest's natural talent for the game and registers him for competitive tournaments.

Bubba's Father is an experienced shrimper. He provides Forrest with the foundational knowledge needed to start a commercial fishing business.

Miss Henderson is an educator who helps Forrest learn to read. She encourages his literacy by giving him a copy of *Tom Sawyer*.

Professor Boone initially praises Forrest's autobiographical writing. He later realizes Forrest cannot maintain the academic rigor required for the collegiate creative writing program.

Colonel Gooch is a military officer assigned to manage Forrest's public appearances and Medal of Honor ceremony. He frequently deals with anti-war protests and Forrest's unpredictable candor.

Quackenbush is a literature professor who casts Forrest as the fool in a production of *King Lear*. The decision ends disastrously when a fire breaks out on stage.

Raquel Welch is an actress cast to play opposite Forrest in a monster movie remake. The production causes a chaotic incident involving torn clothing and an arrest on Sunset Boulevard.

Rudolph is a philosophy student who briefly dates Jenny while she sings for a club band. He eventually leaves her.

The Turd is a professional wrestler paid to defeat Forrest's character in scripted matches. He employs an aggressive and rough physical style.

The Professor is a professional wrestler who defeats Forrest by using yarn to tie him up during a bout. This tactic costs Dan and Forrest a substantial wager.

Gruck is a native man living in the jungle. He enters a relationship with Major Fritch after her spaceship crashes.

Bones is an American soldier serving in Forrest's military company. He participates in intense jungle combat.

Doyle is an American soldier who is wounded in combat. Forrest physically carries him to safety while shouting loudly enough to scare the attackers away.

President Johnson is the Commander-in-Chief who awards the Congressional Medal of Honor to Forrest. He asks to see where Forrest was wounded in battle.

Chairman Mao is the elderly leader of China who nearly drowns while performing a publicity swim. Forrest dives into the water to rescue him, shifting international relations.

Mr. Felder is a filmmaker who casts Forrest as a monster in a Hollywood movie remake. He schedules Forrest for a disastrous screen test.

Honest Ivan is a chess champion who competes against Forrest in a tournament. Their match is interrupted by a loose ape dropping onto the board.