History Main / TheSmartGuy

[[folder:Films]]

* Open to debate, since none of the characters are all that bright, but in ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'', Simmons is arguably the smartest member of either team when it comes to pure common sense.

* Bruce Banner in ''Film/{{The Avengers|2012}}''. While the "[[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk other guy]]" gets his share of action, Nick Fury brings Bruce into the plot specifically because he knows more about gamma radiation than anyone on the planet. Tony Stark, InsufferableGenius extraordinaire, doesn't even mind playing Bruce's assistant.

* If they're a GadgeteerGenius, they will build and customize their own weaponry, such as PoweredArmor, vehicles, or being one [[FantasyGunControl of the few gun users.]] In a magical setting they may use [[SpellBook spells]] or a MagicStaff. If martial arts are the go to, they may use a SimpleStaff or an elegant sword.

* In ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'', some of the Sparks are even identified by the Jagers as "da schmot guy". In Gil's case, [[NiceHat it's even on his hat.]]

With a personality range from the introverted and weird TVGenius, the highly technical [[TheSpock Spock]], to the improbably cool HollywoodNerd, the smart guy is better defined by the skills they bring to the table rather how they act.

* In Myth/ClassicalMythology, Athena is this among the Olympians, being TheStrategist. Hermes sometimes fill this role in a trickster-ish sort of way.

* Lightning Bolt in ''Fanfic/AceCombatTheEquestrianWar''.

* Brain from ''Fanfic/MyBravePonyStarfleetMagic'', [[InformedAttribute in theory anyway]].

* Henry Wong fills this role in the ''FanFic/TamersForeverSeries''.

* The booksmart guys. The [[EncyclopaedicKnowledge walking encyclopedia]] who can always do even more research on the situation or [[EnemyScan analyze enemy weaknesses]]. They get the job of MrExposition to break down plot, lore, or [[CombatCommentator what the heck just happened]] to other teammates (and the audience.) The StrawVulcan might just prattle on too long and [[NeverTellMeTheOdds get ignored,]] but a direct idea guy can be an invaluable [[TheStrategist planner]] and [[MissionControl even direct the group.]]

* In Myth/ClassicalMythology, Athena is this among the Olympians. Hermes sometimes fill this role in a trickster-ish sort of way.

* On the group Team Kimba in the ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'', Phase is probably the smart one, even if Chaka seems to be best at coming up with ideas in the middle of a fight. Phase is over-educated for a freshman in high school, is most likely to use the big words, and is a smart aleck, too. The SmartGuy they go to for gadgets is Bugs, who is a HotScientist.

%% Image chosen by Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1452921400001187100
%% Please don't change the image without starting a new thread.

* The SuperHero spoof film ''Film/TheSpecials'' from 2000 includes a brainy gadgeteer member of the titular superteam whose ''nom de guerre'' is simply "Mr. Smart".
* ''Franchise/StarWars'': There's a reason C-3PO refers to R2-D2 as his counterpart: They split the usual Smart Guy duties between them, with R2 handling the practical side and 3PO handling the exposition side.
* Kevin Sandusky of ''Film/TropicThunder'' is the one who knows what is going on the most. He recognized the Heroin Processing plant, he can read the map, and he's the only one of the actors who had actually read the script and the book.

* Bruce Banner in ''Film/{{The Avengers|2012}}''. While the "[[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk other guy]]" gets his share of action, Nick Fury brings Bruce into the plot specifically because he knows more about gamma radiation than anyone on the planet. Tony Stark, InsufferableGenius extraordinaire, doesn't even mind playing Bruce's assistant.
%%* Breaker from ''Film/GIJoeTheRiseOfCobra''.
%%** Lady Jaye from ''Film/GIJoeRetaliation''.
%%* Pete from ''Film/{{Neighbors|2014}}''.
* Hank [=McCoy=]/Beast from the ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'', is incredibly intelligent and a brilliant scientist who has invented most of the nifty tools and gadgets (X-Jet, Cerebro, etc.) that the X-Men use.
* Donald Poultry is the pre-teen version of this trope in ''Film/SummerCampNightmare'', as he goes about the camp carrying a tape recorder and a suitcase full of tools, and put his technical knowledge to good use, even if in one circumstance (as in fiddling around with the rec room's TV set's channel reception) it gets him into trouble with the DeanBitterman camp director. He also narrates a good deal of the movie's story.

* In ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'', some of the Sparks are even identified by the Jagers as "da schmot guy". In Gil's case, [[NiceHat it's even on his hat.]]
* Vaarsuvius fills this role in ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick''. Although Roy Greenhilt has more common sense and Haley Starshine is more observant, V's sheer 18 INT has them beat. Besides, Roy and Haley are TheHero and TheLancer respectively.

* ''WebComic/MagickChicks'': [[StudentCouncilPresident Faith]] recognized [[{{meganekko}} Sandi's]] talents as a {{technopath}}, when she was young, and [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/she_looks_out_for_us helped her learn to properly control her abilities.]] Now, she's so adept at her gift that she can [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/slipped_past_our_defenses predict the probability of future events with 97.09% accuracy]]; so long as she has all the available data. What's more, the cast page of the comic's print edition describes her as "a living Website/{{Google}}", which is why Faith chose her as her personal secretary and is genuinely surprised whenever Sandi ''[[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/the_dollar_store can't]]'' find intel on something.
* Riff from ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'' is both The Smart Guy and TheLancer, being a MadScientist with a [[TimTaylorTechnology penchant for]] [[MoreDakka destruction]].

* In ''[[{{Webcomic/Morphe}} morphE]]'', Asia Ellis fills the role of smart guy through being the analytical thinker of the FiveManBand who takes notes, makes maps when introduced to new areas and studies every text she can find to discover the many truths of the awakened world. Despite not being the most intellectual member of the party Asia fits this trope perfectly.

* Nepta from ''{{Webcomic/Tinyraygun}}'' is a brilliant young space explorer. Unfortunately, her intellect's somewhat limited to what she learned in books.

* ''WebComic/StandStillStaySilent'': This is split between Tuuri and Mikkel. Tuuri was the one officially hired for this quality, but Mikkel being TheMedic, more than a decade older than her, and having expertise in things in which Tuuri does not causes him to frequently override her in that domain.

* In ''Webcomic/SuperBrothers'' Kamek is Bowser's Royal Advisor and generally more level-headed than his king.
* ''Webcomic/WeakHero'':
** Eugene is the NonActionGuy of the main group, and instead contributes with his general intelligence and his vast knowledge of the [[StandardEvilOrganizationSquad Yeongdeungpo Union]] members. [[BookDumb Ironically, his grades suck.]]
** Not only is Timothy a whiz with computers, but he's adept at analysing people's past actions and predicting how they'll act in the future.

* ''WebAnimation/MinecraftEndventures'': Red Stone is an inventer who makes redstone machines for his group, including a potion making machine.

* ''WebAnimation/{{Dreamscape}}'': Keela is The Smart Guy of the FiveManBand. She is very observant, extremely clever, and not very expressive.

* In "Literature/CaelumLex" Cyrus, the Dionysian's engineer and resident tech nerd, is often one step ahead of everyone else, coming up with ideas and plans and solutions that no one else on the crew considered
* PHILLIPS from ''The Last Stage'' by WebVideo/NatOneProductions switches between this and NaiveNewcomer. He is incredibly knowledgeable about the paranormal due to his lifetime of research, but is inexperienced in the field. When [[TheLeader PATRICK]] needs to know what something is or does, though, PHILLIPS is the one he looks to.
* On the group Team Kimba in the ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'', Phase is probably the smart one, even if Chaka seems to be best at coming up with ideas in the middle of a fight. Phase is over-educated for a freshman in high school, is most likely to use the big words, and is a smart aleck too. The SmartGuy they go to for gadgets is Bugs, who is a HotScientist.

* Open to debate, since none of the characters are all that bright, but in ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'', Simmons is arguably the smartest member of either team when it comes to pure common sense.

* Eugene, [[WebVideo/MatthewSantoro Matt Santoro's]] {{nerd}}y clone. WordOfGod (Matt himself) says that, if Matt's clones had a fight to the death, Eugene would win - despite being physically weak, he could build something like a tank to defend himself, because he's the only clone intelligent enough to do so.
* Felix from WebVideo/TheBenHeckShow has become an EnsembleDarkhorse because of his software-savvyness, especially in Linux.

* ''Fanfic/SaviorOfDemons'': [[LabcoatOfScienceAndMedicine Murai]] is [[CunningLinguist the default translator]] for the Arcosians when they [[FirstContact go to meet the Tsufuru.]] He also has elements of The Smart Guy and DeadpanSnarker.

* Henry Wong fills this role in the ''FanFic/TamersForeverSeries''
* Lightning Bolt in ''Fanfic/AceCombatTheEquestrianWar''.
* Brain from ''Fanfic/MyBravePonyStarfleetMagic'', [[InformedAttribute in theory anyway]].

In terms of relationships, The Smart Guy may be part of a LittleGuyBigBuddy duo with TheBigGuy. They also make great sidekicks or advisors to TheLeader, without all the conflict a full {{Lancer}} brings.

While it was always a more gender balanced archetype in general, a wave of STEM/media partnerships brought an influx of many a coding and gadgeteering SmartGirl in TheNewTens.

* ''Fanfic/SaviorOfDemons'': [[LabcoatOfScienceAndMedicine Murai]] is [[CunningLinguist the default translator]] for the Arcosians when they [[FirstContact go to meet the Tsufuru.]] He also has elements of TheSmartGuy and DeadpanSnarker.

** Walter starts out as this to [[BrainsAndBrawn Tiren]] and after they pick up [[BeautyBrainsAndBrawn Elly]]. But when the team picks up Sal, she then becomes the TheSmartGirl and Walter functionally shifts to TheLeader.

* ''WebAnimation/{{Dreamscape}}'': Keela is TheSmartGuy of the FiveManBand. She is very observant, extremely clever, and not very expressive.

* In ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'', some of the Sparks are even identified by the Jagers as "da schmot guy".
** In Gil's case, [[NiceHat it's even on his hat.]]

* In ''Webcomic/DubiousCompany'', Walter starts out as this to [[BrainsAndBrawn Tiren]] and after they pick up [[BeautyBrainsAndBrawn Elly]]. But when the team picks up Sal, she then becomes the TheSmartGirl and Walter functionally shifts to TheLeader.

* In ''{{Webcomic/Homestuck}}'', Rose is the beta kids' main Smart Guy and the primary [[MrExposition Miss Exposition]] when it comes to explaining the mysteries of Sburb. Even her mythological role as the Seer of Light marks her as a quester after knowledge. Jade is also very brainy, but her intelligence isn't as central to her character or role in the story as Rose's is.

[[folder:Animated TV Shows]]
* In ''Trollz'' the character Sapphire sports glasses, preppy clothes, and the stereotypical nasally nerd voice while also being the one most excited for school and studying, while the rest of the Trollz groan at the mention of it.
[[/folder]]

* James in ''Literature/LightningDust: safe to say that Klaus can go to him to ask about certain monsters/baddies in town and would probably go to him for inventions to help him while fighting if James knew about LD.

* The [[DishingOutDirt Toa of Earth]] (such as [[GeniusBruiser Onua]] or [[GadgeteerGenius Nuparu]]) tend to fill this role on their respective Toa teams in ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}''.

They are always be prepared, sometimes CrazyPrepared. Even under pressure they can whip up a plan at a moments notice. The Smart Guys will be at the computer doing RapidFireTyping. Expect some [[SesquipedalianLoquaciousness fancy talk]] and TechnoBabble from these characters. Because their role is about ideas they initially [[NonActionGuy leave the action stuff to the others.]] Of course, WeakButSkilled is always in effect for these guys.

Physically if not [[GeekPhysiques tall and skinny]], the Smart Guys are usually {{short|erMeansSmarter}} [[TheShortGuyWithGlasses and wear glasses]]. They may even be [[TeenGenius a]] ChildProdigy. The Smart Guy is sometimes written as mousey and withdrawn. If not antisocial, at least non-social, sliding into TVGenius. Can be expected to [[SmartPeoplePlayChess play a mean game of chess.]]

Sometimes the Smart Guys are more street savvy than they appear. If this is the case it usually makes The Smart Guy physically as well as mentally capable. This is the path of the [[BadassBookworm Badass Bookworms]], or those who MinoredInAssKicking. They remain firmly planted as the Smart Guy, but are just as ready to fight as everyone else. The results are often impressive, and usually have the advantage of surprise. Who expects the little guy with glasses to be an asskicker?

With a personality range from the introverted and weird TVGenius, the highly technical [[TheSpock Spock]], to the improbably cool HollywoodNerd, the smart guy is better defined by the skills he brings to the table rather how he acts. Common types that you can mix and match on your way to OmnidisciplinaryScientist are:
* [[GadgeteerGenius Techies]] who have great skill with technology and engineering. They build and repair devices for TheTeam, and can [[HollywoodHacking hack in to any computer system.]] As you push towards pure sci-fi they may have an innate higher reasoning capacity than normal humans, belonging to advanced alien races or having technology literally as part of their bodies as robots or cyborgs.

* The booksmart guys. They're busy doing research (if they're not already a [[EncyclopaedicKnowledge walking encyclopedia]]), [[EnemyScan analyzing enemy weaknesses]], and generally serve as MrExposition breaking down plot, lore, or [[CombatCommentator what the heck just happened]] to other teammates (and the audience.) As the idea guy, they can [[TheStrategist plan]] and [[MissionControl direct missions.]] But if they fall into [[TechnoBabble over-analysis]] and [[SesquipedalianLoquaciousness prattle]] they're just as likely to be ignored.
* Swapping book-smart genius for street-smart [[TheTrickster cleverness]]. A thief archetype, detective or StreetUrchin who has traded in knowledge and intelligence for know-how and intel. These people figure out mysteries, track down foes, and get into hard to reach places. If they're good with tech too you get a PlayfulHacker. Sometimes, they're just weirdos or rascals that are capable of outsmarting their foes through sheer creativity or ingenuity, while making a fool out of them in the process.

In terms of relationships, The Smart Guy may be part of a LittleGuyBigBuddy duo with TheBigGuy. They also make great sidekicks or advisors to TheLeader, without all the potential conflict a full {{Lancer}} brings.

As casts have become more gender-balanced, TheSmartGirl is the one most likely to swap genders. Since the character type is not stereotypically masculine, turning them into The Smart Girl is not a big stretch. During TheNewTens, the prevalence of media partnerships with STEM also encouraged many a SmartGirl especially for the GadgeteerGenius and coding archetypes.

In an ensemble, the Smart Guy is usually the last character to have a LoveInterest if they even bother to give him one at all. When they do, expect a subplot about the geek's unrequited feelings towards an unattainable cooler love interest for Smart Guys around the same age as the rest of the cast. [[ChildProdigy Younger]] [[TeenGenius Smart Guys]] may have a cute PuppyLove plot with someone their own age, or a PrecociousCrush on someone much older. In most cases where the geek's love interest is not "out of their league", they tend to be little more than a DistaffCounterpart.

If there's a RobotBuddy or an alien on the team, he's usually The Smart Guy.

If you're looking for his EvilCounterpart, regardless of team structure, that's TheEvilGenius.

'''Sokka:''' So I'm the ''only'' one who can ''ever'' come up with a plan? That's a lot of pressure. \\

* The MadScientist who conducts all kinds of experiments to help the team. Like the techie, you can find these characters in the lab coming up with new {{Phlebotinum}} that does whatever the plot needs it to. Wizards and mages can be equivalent in fantasy, and less frequently a priest if spirits and spirituality play a big role.