Voiced by beloved voice actor John DiMaggio, Bender of "Futurama" is the quintessential cartoon robot. Like Marvin the Paranoid Android from "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," Bender is deeply flawed, but he's also a reminder of the healing power of friendship. After the Tijuana-built robot learns that the girders he was created to bend are used in suicide booths, he becomes profoundly depressed and decides to kill himself. When the anachronistic Fry mistakes the same suicide booth for a phone booth, Bender offers to go sharesies on the quarter admission price, and the two become fast friends, eventually becoming soulmates.
A somewhat sociopathic antihero, Bender runs on booze, frequently waxes on about killing all humans, and pathologically lies, cheats, and steals. But despite his many flaws, Bender truly cares for Fry and often shows remorse when his actions harm the few people he actually likes. As for everyone else? As Bender would be happy to tell them, they can all bite his shiny metal ass.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
