Philip J. Fry

Phillip J. Fry is roughly the central character of the television series Futurama. Roughly, because although he is the progenitor of the central drama for the show, there are many episodes that feature him minimally, or as a minor character.

History

Fry, as he is called, was a New York pizza delivery boy of indeterminate post-adolescent age come December 31, 1999. It was on that New Year's Eve that he stumbled into a cryogenic capsule while on delivery and frozen there remained until December 31, 2999. Needless to say, upon reawakening, he found himself in a world very different than the one he left at the turn of the 21st century--a fact that is the source of much dramatic irony during the show, especially the earlier episodes in which Fry is featured more heavily.

After "situating" himself in the 31st century, Fry gains the friendship of a cyclops Turanga Leela, or Leela, and a bending robot named Bender. Together, they find Fry's next of kin, the ancient Professor Hubert Farnsworth, who agrees employs each of them in his delivery service, Planet Express.

Character

Another great source of humor derives from Fry's unique lack of intelligence and unabashedly pathetic lifestyle. He lives like a pig with his best friend, Bender, rarely thinks more than five minutes into the future, and frequently injures himself.

Even though Fry is far from the paragon of male figure, form and virtue in any century, he does manage to accrue some romantic experiences. At one point, he reunites with his girlfriend from the 20th century, and also experiences a one episode pairing with Amy Wong, the intern at Planet Express. (See "Put Your Head On My Shoulder")

Throughout the series, Fry maintains in interest in Leela, which eventually builds to a frequently rejected love, especially in later episodes. Also, Amy continues to act as an object of corporal interest to Fry and the other (human) male characters, but they never get together again.

Warning: Wikipedia contains spoilers

Fry's character is not all a useless, if comical, degenerate. In more than one episode, Fry's unique lack of mental activity is a special ability that is harnessed to save the universe from a malicious race of disembodied brains.