Charlie Croker
Played by: Michael Caine
- Deadpan Snarker: Just look at who plays him!
- The Dragon: To Mr. Bridger
- Dragon-in-Chief: Considering that Bridger is in jail and all.
- I Call It "Vera": He names his grappling hook "Hazel".
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: He may play around and frequently upset his girlfriend, but he clearly cares enough about her not to have her get hurt if they get pinched doing the job.
Mr. Bridger
Played by: Noël Coward
- Affably Evil: He's polite and well mannered at all times. He is, however, such a ruthless criminal mastermind that he's got the entire prison — including the Wardens — terrified of him.
- Gayngster: Arguably, given Noel Coward's real life sexual preference.
- Leitmotif: "Rule Britannia" on harpsichord.
- Luxury Prison Suite: He lives the life of a proper gentleman within his prison cell. It seems to be merely formality that he's there at all.
- The Man Behind the Man: To the group pulling the titular "Italian Job".
- Might as Well Not Be in Prison at All: To the point that his reaction when Charlie breaks in to talk to him is to complain huffily to the governor about the lapse in security.
- Stalker Shrine: He's a very devoted subject of the Queen.