Arnold Rimmer

Arnold Judas Rimmer is an obnoxious hologrammatic character in the UK science fiction comedy series Red Dwarf - he became a hologram when he died in the first episode, and was resurrected by the ship's senile computer Holly in order to keep Lister sane.

The character was played by Chris Barrie.

His character traits include anal-retentiveness, adherence to protocol and rank, cowardice, inflated ego (for example, The Rimmer Experience) and shakiness around women - he only had sexual intercourse once when he was alive. He is the worst companion a person could have and at first glance would appear to be the worst person to keep Lister sane, but the purpose of him being revived is so Lister can continually drive him nuts so as to give Lister something to live for.

He has tried to pass the exam to become an officer 13 times, each time failing (on one such occasion he had a panic attack and ended up writing the phrase "I AM A FISH" 400 times on his answer sheet before doing a dance and fainting).

His surname comes from a snobby prefect who went to the Red Dwarf creators' school - it does not have lewd origins. But only the boy's name was taken, not his personality.

He also has an alternate universe counterpart, Ace Rimmer who is a dashing, babe-magnet stud-muffin nonchalant hero -- the exact opposite. Ace Rimmer's total personality difference to Arnold Rimmer boils down to being kept back a year in school. Ace was kept back, and learnt to fight back and stand up for himself, while Arnold was passed through and never learnt how.