Todd Anderson

Todd Anderson is the protagonist of Touchstone Pictures' 1989 film Dead Poets Society. He was born on November 16th, 1942.

Todd is the hottest and best character in the movie because of his beautiful face and his sweet personality, he is caring and although he is shy, finds a way to stand up for his lover Neil and what he believes in, he is arguably the movie's most dynamic character, appearing first as an extremely shy, quiet, and reserved boy and evolving into a young man who stands up for what he believes in. Todd is the brother of popular Welton alumni and distinguished scholar Jeffrey Anderson, whose shadow Todd finds himself in at the start of his senior year. However, thanks to events that follow, he manages to break out of his shell, becoming his own person.

Todd is played by American actor, writer, and director Ethan Hawke in the film.

Biography
Todd Anderson is a transfer student to Welton Academy at the beginning of the fall semester of 1959. Upon arrival at the school for the first time, he sits with his parents at the opening ceremony, where he is urged by his father to stand with the rest of the boys during the reciting of the four pillars. After the ceremony, Todd follows his mother and father up to greet Headmaster Gale Nolan, who speaks of Todd having "big shoes to fill", in reference to his older brother.

Once Todd says his goodbyes, he goes to the Honor Room, along with the other juniors to receive his extracurricular activities. When told that he will do soccer, he tries to say that he would prefer rowing but cannot be heard and he is about to cry.

He runs in to Neil Perry on the way to his room, who says they're going to be roommates. Neil questions why Todd left his old school, and Todd again mentions that his brother formerly attended Welton. Neil responds with, "oh, so you're THAT Anderson," suggesting again that Todd's brother was a memorable student during his time at the academy.

Todd continues on to his and Neil's dorm room, where he walks in on Uriah Heep calling him a "stiff". Neil then introduces Todd to Charlie Dalton, Stephen Meeks, and Knox Overstreet, three of their friends who also comment on Todd's brother Jeffery's reputation at Welton, noting that he was valedictorian and a National merit scholar. Todd then witnesses the four of them light up a cigarette and mock the school right before Neil's father interrupts and calls Neil outside. As the boys leave Neil and Todd to their unpacking, they invite Todd to join them in their study group, and Todd responds quietly with "thanks".

Todd is present for Mr. Keating's first lesson on Carpe Diem in the hallway, and appears to know answers to several of Keating's questions but fails to say anything. While he speaks little, it appears he enjoyed the lesson. Neil again invites Todd to his friend's study group, but Todd politely declines, opting to do history homework instead. Later that night, Todd writes the phrase "Seize the day" on a sheet of notebook paper and stares at it for a moment before ripping out the paper and crumpling it up.

Later, after another interesting lesson from Keating, Todd accompanies the boys in finding out what Keating's "Dead Poets Society" was. He appears interested in Keating's love of poetry and amused by his stories. When Neil asks if Todd will join them in reconvening the Dead Poets Society, Todd reluctantly agrees on the grounds that he won't have to speak at the meetings.

Todd attends the first meeting of the Dead Poets Society, where he takes minutes but does not contribute to reading poetry.

Personality
Todd is an excellent example of a stereotypical shy kid. When he first transfers to Welton at the start of his senior year, Todd can barely speak his name, let alone speak in front of groups of people or his class. He shows ample evidence of performance anxiety, something that interests his English teacher Mr. Keating and is a main area of development for the character.

Despite being extremely shy and introverted, Todd shows a great deal of appreciation for his friends, particularly Neil. Todd joins the Society despite being afraid of speaking in public and joining the boys on their various adventures, and the emotional turmoil he is shown in after the death of Neil. After the climax, when Keating's job security is in danger, Todd stands up for him against Uriah Heep, saying "...you know that, Urinal. [Keating] didn't put us up to anything. Neil loved acting!"

Neil Perry
Neil Perry is Todd's best and first friend in the school. He strived to make Todd feel included and this applies to the Dead Poets Society, where Neil found a way to get him to participate even though he didn't want too.

The two became even closer because of the Dead Poets and Todd often helped Neil Perry rehearse his lines for Midsummer Night's Dream by the dock. Neil found Todd writing his poem in his notebook and snatched the book from him, As he was being chased around their room he compared Todd to Walt Whitman. This is because todd is bisexual and Walt Whitman was Gay like Neil.It's possible that he's gay due to some of the overtones in the movie.

Neil was the only one to find out about Todd's birthday - when he learned that the Andersons had gotten him the same gift as the previous year, he cheered him up by creating the world's first aerodynamic desk set, and helping Todd throw it from the roof.

Todd was the most affected by Neil's suicide. He believed Mr. Perry secretly killed Neil Perry himself, because Neil loved Todd. He never blamed Keating for Neil's death because he knew how passionate Neil was about acting.

Trivia

 * He has an older brother who attended Welton, and who is his parents' favourite child.
 * There was a sequel to DPS planned, starring Ethan Hawke as Todd, whose goal was to follow in Mr. Keating's footsteps. It was canceled due to the unavailability of many of the other boys.