Percy Fitzwallace
Encyclopedia
Admiral Percy "Fitz" Fitzwallace, played by John Amos
, is a fictional character on the television series The West Wing. In the universe
of the show, he is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
.
A commissioned officer in the United States Navy
, Fitzwallace wears the insignia of a Surface Warfare Officer
and, as of 2002, had been in the military for 38 years. Fitzwallace is also a veteran of the Vietnam War
.
A number of episodes hint that the working relationship between President Josiah Bartlet
(Martin Sheen
) and Fitzwallace is initially strained; in a fifth-season flashback set before Bartlet and Fitzwallace have met, Bartlet blames Fitzwallace for starting a war in the Philippines
and plans to immediately fire the admiral upon becoming President. In the second episode of season one, "Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc", Bartlet remarks to Captain Morris Tolliver (Ruben Santiago-Hudson
), a naval doctor, that Fitzwallace and the other Joint Chiefs dislike him for his lack of military experience. Fitzwallace, however, later denies this, and throughout the course of the show is a close adviser to the President.
In the episode "Stirred", White House Senior Staff suggest that Fitzwallace might be a feasible vice presidential candidate in the 2002 election, when the electoral math showed that Vice President
John Hoynes
(Tim Matheson
) would not guarantee a win in Texas
and Florida
. They believe that Fitzwallace's status as a military man and defense hawk would be an electoral strength, along with the calculation that a black running mate would increase black turnout for the Democrats and win North Carolina
, Louisiana
and Georgia
for Bartlet. However, the staff are unsure of Fitzwallace's party affiliation and whether he would accept. Ultimately, Bartlet rules that Hoynes had to remain the Vice President.
Like National Security Advisor
Nancy McNally (Anna Deavere Smith
), Fitzwallace vacillates between being hawkish and dovish on the exercise of military force, opposing a move against Iraq during what was perceived as an assassination attempt on Bartlet, but later proposing an invasion of Qumar in response to a terrorist threat. Fitz is the strongest proponent of assassinating Abdul ibn Shareef
(Al No'mani), the Qumari Defence Minister, who is also a terrorist leader.
Fitzwallace retires almost immediately after the resolution of the Zoey Bartlet
(Elisabeth Moss
) kidnap crisis at the beginning of season five and is replaced as chairman by General Nicholas Alexander
(Terry O'Quinn
). At the end of season five, Fitz is killed by a roadside bomb
during a diplomatic mission to Gaza
.
Fitzwallace has been married for 32 years as of "The Dogs of War
". In that episode, his wife is referred to as Laura, but that is later retconned and she is renamed Gail, appearing in "Gaza
" when Percy is killed.
John Amos
John Amos is an American actor and former football player. His television work includes roles in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Good Times, the miniseries Roots, and a recurring role in The West Wing. He has also appeared on Broadway and in numerous motion pictures in a career that spans four decades...
, is a fictional character on the television series The West Wing. In the universe
Fictional universe
A fictional universe is a self-consistent fictional setting with elements that differ from the real world. It may also be called an imagined, constructed or fictional realm ....
of the show, he is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the highest ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces, and is the principal military adviser to the President of the United States, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council and the Secretary of Defense...
.
A commissioned officer in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, Fitzwallace wears the insignia of a Surface Warfare Officer
Surface Warfare Badge
The Surface Warfare Insignia is a military badge of the United States Navy which is issued to those Naval personnel who are trained and qualified to perform duties aboard United States surface warships. The Surface Warfare Pin was first proposed in 1972 and, by 1980, several classes of the Surface...
and, as of 2002, had been in the military for 38 years. Fitzwallace is also a veteran of the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
A number of episodes hint that the working relationship between President Josiah Bartlet
Josiah Bartlet
Josiah Edward "Jed" Bartlet is a fictional character played by Martin Sheen on the television serial drama The West Wing. He is President of the United States for the entire series until the last episode, when his successor is inaugurated...
(Martin Sheen
Martin Sheen
Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez , better known by his stage name Martin Sheen, is an American film actor best known for his performances in the films Badlands and Apocalypse Now , and in the television series The West Wing from 1999 to 2006.He is considered one of the best actors never to be...
) and Fitzwallace is initially strained; in a fifth-season flashback set before Bartlet and Fitzwallace have met, Bartlet blames Fitzwallace for starting a war in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and plans to immediately fire the admiral upon becoming President. In the second episode of season one, "Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc", Bartlet remarks to Captain Morris Tolliver (Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Ruben Santiago-Hudson is an American actor and playwright, who has won national awards for his work in both areas. In November 2011 he will appear on Broadway in Lydia Diamond's play .-Early life:...
), a naval doctor, that Fitzwallace and the other Joint Chiefs dislike him for his lack of military experience. Fitzwallace, however, later denies this, and throughout the course of the show is a close adviser to the President.
In the episode "Stirred", White House Senior Staff suggest that Fitzwallace might be a feasible vice presidential candidate in the 2002 election, when the electoral math showed that Vice President
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
John Hoynes
John Hoynes
John Hoynes is a fictional character played by Tim Matheson on the American television series The West Wing. Hoynes is Vice President of the United States during the first four seasons of the show....
(Tim Matheson
Tim Matheson
Tim Matheson is an American actor, director and producer. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the smooth-talking Eric 'Otter' Stratton in the 1978 comedy National Lampoon's Animal House and has had a variety of other well-known roles, including providing the voice of the lead character...
) would not guarantee a win in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. They believe that Fitzwallace's status as a military man and defense hawk would be an electoral strength, along with the calculation that a black running mate would increase black turnout for the Democrats and win North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
and Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
for Bartlet. However, the staff are unsure of Fitzwallace's party affiliation and whether he would accept. Ultimately, Bartlet rules that Hoynes had to remain the Vice President.
Like National Security Advisor
National Security Advisor (United States)
The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, commonly referred to as the National Security Advisor , serves as the chief advisor to the President of the United States on national security issues...
Nancy McNally (Anna Deavere Smith
Anna Deavere Smith
Anna Deavere Smith is an American actress, playwright, and professor. She is currently the artist in residence at the Center for American Progress.-Early life:...
), Fitzwallace vacillates between being hawkish and dovish on the exercise of military force, opposing a move against Iraq during what was perceived as an assassination attempt on Bartlet, but later proposing an invasion of Qumar in response to a terrorist threat. Fitz is the strongest proponent of assassinating Abdul ibn Shareef
Abdul ibn Shareef
Abdul Ibn Shareef, former defense minister of Qumar, is a fictional character played by Al No'mani on the television serial drama The West Wing.-Character history:...
(Al No'mani), the Qumari Defence Minister, who is also a terrorist leader.
Fitzwallace retires almost immediately after the resolution of the Zoey Bartlet
Zoey Bartlet
Zoey Patricia Bartlet is a fictional character played by Elisabeth Moss on the television serial drama The West Wing. Zoey is the youngest of President Josiah Bartlet and Abbey Bartlet's three daughters, and is more prominently featured in the series than either of her sisters.Zoey and...
(Elisabeth Moss
Elisabeth Moss
Elisabeth Singleton Moss is an American actor. Her notable roles include that of Zoey Bartlet, the third and youngest daughter of President Jed Bartlet, on the NBC television series The West Wing , and secretary turned copywriter Peggy Olson on the AMC original series Mad Men .-Early life and...
) kidnap crisis at the beginning of season five and is replaced as chairman by General Nicholas Alexander
Nicholas Alexander
General Nicholas Alexander is a fictional character in the NBC television series The West Wing. He was played by American actor Terry O'Quinn. General Alexander did not appear frequently on the show due to O'Quinn's role on Lost....
(Terry O'Quinn
Terry O'Quinn
Terry O'Quinn is an American actor, most famous for playing John Locke on the TV series Lost. He made his debut in a 1980 television movie called F.D.R.: The Last Year. Since then, O'Quinn has had minor supporting roles in films and TV movies such as Young Guns, All the Right Moves, Silver Bullet,...
). At the end of season five, Fitz is killed by a roadside bomb
Improvised explosive device
An improvised explosive device , also known as a roadside bomb, is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action...
during a diplomatic mission to Gaza
Gaza
Gaza , also referred to as Gaza City, is a Palestinian city in the Gaza Strip, with a population of about 450,000, making it the largest city in the Palestinian territories.Inhabited since at least the 15th century BC,...
.
Fitzwallace has been married for 32 years as of "The Dogs of War
The Dogs of War (The West Wing)
-Plot:Leo McGarry meets a friend in a parking garage, where they discuss the ramifications of President Bartlet's decision to invoke the 25th Amendment during the kidnapping of his daughter, Zoey. Afterwards, Leo sits in on a meeting with the ambassador of Qumar and the U.S. Secretary of State...
". In that episode, his wife is referred to as Laura, but that is later retconned and she is renamed Gail, appearing in "Gaza
Gaza (The West Wing)
-Plot:A fact-finding congressional delegation to the hotly disputed Gaza Strip includes Donna, Admiral Fitzwallace, Congresswoman Wyatt and a few members of congress as they sort through the thicket of rival issues between the Palestinians and Israelis—but the killing fields soon claim some of the...
" when Percy is killed.
See also
- The West WingThe West Wing (TV series)The West Wing is an American television serial drama created by Aaron Sorkin that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1999 to May 14, 2006...
- List of characters on The West Wing
- List of politicians on The West Wing
- List of The West Wing episodes