Howard Hughes — The Aviator Character Profile

About Howard Hughes

Aviation pioneer and film producer who directs Hell's Angels, breaks flight records, and funds the H-4 Hercules flying boat. He struggles with severe OCD and germaphobia, which strain his relationships with Katharine Hepburn, Ava Gardner, and Faith Domergue. He faces political pressure from Juan Trippe and Senator Brewster but ultimately defends himself at a Senate hearing before completing his aircraft.

Howard Hughes — Character Profile

Quick Facts about Howard Hughes

Education

California Institute of Technology, Rice University, Fessenden School, The Thacher School

Occupation

entrepreneur, inventor, aircraft pilot

Manner of Death

Natural causes

Howard Hughes's Known Relations

• Howard R. Hughes Sr. — Father
• Allene Stone Gano — Mother
• Jean Peters — Spouse
• Ella Botts Rice — Spouse
• Katharine Hepburn — Unmarried partner
• Terry Moore — Unmarried partner

Character Facts

Played by

Leonardo DiCaprio

Appears in

The Aviator (2004)

Role

Protagonist

Relationships (5)

• Howard Hughes — Professional Business Manager — Noah Dietrich (John C. Reilly)
• Howard Hughes — Romantic Former Lover — Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett)
• Howard Hughes — Romantic New Love Interest — Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale)
• Howard Hughes — Conflict Corporate Rival — Juan Trippe (Alec Baldwin)
• Howard Hughes — Conflict Political Adversary — Senator Ralph Owen Brewster (Alan Alda)

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of The Aviator

More characters from The Aviator

• Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett)
• Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale)
• Noah Dietrich (John C. Reilly)
• Johnny Meyer (Adam Scott)
• Juan Trippe (Alec Baldwin)
• Professor Fitz (Ian Holm)
• Glenn Odekirk (Matt Ross)
• Louis B. Mayer (Stanley DeSantis)
• Mrs. Hepburn (Frances Conroy)
• Roland Sweet (Willem Dafoe)
• Dr. Hepburn (Kenneth Welsh)
• Jack Frye (Danny Huston)