The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Character Analysis

Evelyn Hugo

Evelyn Hugo is the novel’s protagonist and the subject of reporter Monique Grant’s interviews. At 79, Evelyn, one of the biggest stars of Old Hollywood, convinces Monique to write her biography—but without disclosing why… read analysis of Evelyn Hugo

Monique Grant

Monique Grant is a low-level reporter who jumps at the chance to interview Evelyn Hugo, though at first, she doesn’t understand why Evelyn has specifically requested her. Monique gains Evelyn’s trust by reassuring Evelyn… read analysis of Monique Grant

Celia St. James

Celia St. James is an actor and the love of Evelyn’s life. Celia intimidates Evelyn with her superior acting talent in rehearsals for Little Women, but eventually the two form a mutually beneficial… read analysis of Celia St. James

Harry Cameron

Harry Cameron is a film producer who is Evelyn’s first and best friend when she arrives in Hollywood; they eventually marry and have a child (Connor) together. Though Harry tries to stay… read analysis of Harry Cameron

Don Adler

Don Adler is Evelyn’s second husband. The son of actors, Don feels a huge pressure to also become a huge film star, so he’s really sensitive when he receives poor reviews. Though Evelyn loves… read analysis of Don Adler

Connor Cameron

Connor Cameron is the daughter of Evelyn and Harry. She grows up between their apartments in New York City. In her early teenage years, she begins to withdraw from her parents, particularly Evelyn, and… read analysis of Connor Cameron

John Braverman

John Braverman is Celia’s husband and Harry’s lover. He marries Celia around the same time Evelyn marries Rex North, but Harry eventually tells Evelyn that John is his lover and that John’s… read analysis of John Braverman

Max Girard

Max Girard is a French New Wave film director and Evelyn’s sixth husband. After meeting Evelyn, who immediately captivates him, he casts her in his films Boute-en-Train and Three A.M. on the condition that… read analysis of Max Girard

Robert Jamison

Robert Jamison is Celia’s brother and Evelyn’s seventh, and final, husband. He agrees to move to Spain with Celia, Evelyn, and Connor. Though Evelyn allows him to have as many romantic entanglements… read analysis of Robert Jamison

Mick Riva

Mick Riva is a pop star and Evelyn’s third husband. Mick makes his attraction to Evelyn public by expressing his desire to marry her during interviews, suggesting he’s an extremely confident man who can… read analysis of Mick Riva

Rex North

Rex North is Evelyn’s fourth husband. The similarities he shares with Evelyn—namely his pragmatism, which includes changing his name to succeed as a film star just as Evelyn did—endear him to her and lay… read analysis of Rex North

Monique’s Father/The Passenger

Monique’s father is also Harry’s lover and the man Evelyn finds dead in the passenger seat of the car Harry crashes while driving drunk. Monique has grown up believing that her father was the… read analysis of Monique’s Father/The Passenger

Ruby Reilly

Ruby Reilly is one of the first actors Evelyn forms a relationship with in Hollywood. She stars alongside Evelyn and Celia in Little Women and seems more threatened by Celia than Evelyn does, suggesting both… read analysis of Ruby Reilly

Ernie Diaz

Ernie Diaz is Evelyn’s first husband. Though his marriage to Evelyn allows her to get to Hollywood and begin her acting career, he pays little attention to her interests and expects her to behave… read analysis of Ernie Diaz

David

David is Monique’s husband. At the beginning of the book, the couple is separated, and David is living in San Francisco. The separation allows Monique to reassess her relationship with him, and she ultimately… read analysis of David

Evelyn’s Mother

Evelyn’s mother emigrates to the United States from Cuba with Evelyn’s father when she’s 17 years old. She performs in off-Broadway productions and attempts to save enough money to leave Evelyn’s father and go to… read analysis of Evelyn’s Mother

Luisa

Luisa is the maid Evelyn hires to replace Paula. Evelyn respects Luisa and takes good care of her financially, which demonstrates Evelyn’s empathy for working-class people. When she begins working for Evelyn, she insults… read analysis of Luisa

Ari Sullivan

Ari Sullivan is a film producer. Evelyn quickly understands that Ari is a powerful figure at Sunset Studios, and he proves himself to be corrupt and lecherous when he agrees to give Evelyn roles in… read analysis of Ari Sullivan

Minor Characters

Frankie

Frankie is Monique’s boss at Vivant. Monique admires her, and finds her intimidating, partly because Frankie is a biracial woman in a high-powered position—something Monique, who is also biracial, aspires to be.

Monique’s Mother

Monique’s mother is a devoted and caring presence in Monique’s life. Though she didn’t entirely approve of David as a husband for Monique, she supported their marriage, demonstrating her trust in her daughter. After David leaves, Monique’s mother flies to visit Monique in New York City and comforts her.

Grace

Grace is Evelyn’s assistant. She repeatedly expresses her gratitude to Evelyn for treating her so well as an employee, which demonstrates Evelyn’s desire both to respect working-class people and to spend her money on the few people close to her who are still alive.

Evelyn’s Father

Evelyn’s father is her sole caregiver after Evelyn’s mother dies. He does little to support Evelyn and, when her body begins to mature, he acts predatorily toward her. He does shortly after Evelyn moves to Hollywood.

Nick

Nick is Evelyn’s driver on the night she finds Harry in a fatal car crash. He agrees to keep quiet about the details of that evening on the condition that Evelyn helps him land film roles, reminding Evelyn of the opportunism and greed that Hollywood is built on.

Robert Logan

Robert Logan is Celia’s date to the premiere of Little Women. Celia’s reluctance to go with Robert suggests that their relationship, which has featured in the tabloids, is nothing more than a photo opportunity.

Paula

Paula is Evelyn and Don’s maid. She speaks to the press about Evelyn and Don’s relationship twice, which suggests that she has no qualms about taking advantage of her employers for personal gain.

Brick Thomas

Brick Thomas is a former child star who goes on a date with Evelyn early on in her time at Sunset Studios. Evelyn finds Brick’s egregious self-esteem distasteful.

Joy Nathan

Joy Nathan begins a relationship with Rex North while Rex is married to Evelyn. Joy’s pregnancy leads to Rex and Evelyn filing for divorce.

Joan Marker

Joan Marker is Celia’s friend. Their friendship features in the tabloids; it’s implied that Joan and Celia have a romantic relationship after Celia leaves Evelyn for the second time.

Dr. Lopani

Dr. Lopani is Evelyn’s doctor. He agrees to make a call to Evelyn and Don’s house to give Evelyn the false message that she’s had a miscarriage in order to plant a rumor with Paula.

Greg

Greg is Connor’s boyfriend.