Denis Dimbleby Bagley — How to Get Ahead in Advertising Character Profile

About Denis Dimbleby Bagley

The protagonist, a mentally unstable advertising executive who suffers a nervous breakdown over the ethics of selling pimple cream. After developing a sentient boil that replaces his head, he transforms from an ethical idealist into a ruthless, cynical professional, ultimately losing his marriage.

Denis Dimbleby Bagley — Character Profile

Character Facts

Played by

Richard E. Grant

Appears in

How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)

Role

Protagonist

Relationships (3)

• Denis Dimbleby Bagley — Temporal Former Self — Denis Dimbleby Bagley (Richard E. Grant)

  Past ethical self replaced by a cynical successor.

• Denis Dimbleby Bagley — Professional Subordinate — John Bristol (Richard Wilson)

  Employee reporting to a corporate executive.

• Denis Dimbleby Bagley — Family Husband — Julia Bagley (Rachel Ward)

  Married couple navigating professional and personal crises.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of How to Get Ahead in Advertising

More characters from How to Get Ahead in Advertising

• Julia Bagley (Rachel Ward)
• John Bristol (Richard Wilson)
• Penny Wheelstock (Jacqueline Tong)
• Waiter (Gino Melvazzi)
• Monica (Susan Wooldridge)
• Basil (Tony Slattery)
• Priest (Gordon Gostelow)
• Jennifer (Rachel Fielding)
• Girl in Elevator (Kerryann White)
• Tweedy Woman (Dawn Keeler)
• Receptionist (Vivienne McKone)
• Businessman (John Levitt)