Randy Pausch
Randy is the author of the book and also the speaker who delivers the Last Lecture. Randy Pausch was a computer science professor who was diagnosed with cancer at an early age and then told that he will most likely live only a few more months. Thus, he decided to give a Last Lecture, to leave something behind for those who knew him and for his three children. What characterizes Randy is his positive attitude and his carefree spirit and in his lecture, he tries to transmit that kind of positive energy. In his lecture, Randy does not talk about compute science but rather he talks about life in general and what it takes to become successful.
Randy’s father
Even though he remains unknown, Randy’s father is an important character because of the way he influenced Randy. The father was a kind man who let Randy do almost everything he wanted in a reasonable manner. He was also involved in various humanitarian actions and he built schools for children in third world countries. He is the one who thought Randy how to be responsible and how to act in a proper manner. Randy’s father was diagnosed with leukemia and died a few years before the last lecture but Randy notes that even in his last moment, his father wanted to help people so he donated his body to be studied.
Randy’s mother
Randy’s mother was involved, just like her husband, in various humanitarian actions. She was an English teacher who, while she was not as permissive as her husband, tried to educate her son as best as she could. Randy mentions her in a very fondly way and mentions how she influenced him positively.
Jai
Jai is Randy’s wife at the time when the lecture was held. Together, they had three children together and Randy was well aware if the fact that she was going to take to take care of their children. Jai is the one who writes the foreword of the book after Randy dies and who takes care of the publishing process. Even though Jai doesn’t always agree with her husband, she supports him through everything and she made sure to be with him in his last months of life.
Dylan
Dylan is Jai’s and Randy’s first son, a boy who was born prematurely. When Randy talks about him, he always mentions him alongside his younger brother, Logan.
Logan
Logan is Randy’s and Jai’s middle child and he is the one who resembled Randy the most. Logan feels a deep connection with his older brother with whom he spends most of his time with.
Chloe
Chloe is Randy’s youngest child, a daughter he feels very close with.
Tammy
Tammy is Randy’s sister who is also present at the Lecture. She compares Randy with their father and talks about the similarities between the two.
The pregnant waitress
Randy meets the pregnant waitress at a diner the day before he is scheduled to present his speech. Randy make a reference to her pregnancy but the woman tells him that the baby wasn’t planned and that she is not happy to have it.
Jack Sheriff
Jack is one of Randy’s closest friends from his childhood. Randy mentions him when he talks about his room and about how he painted it
Chris
Chris is the name of Tammy’s son with whom Randy was close with.
Coach Jim
Coach Jim was Randy’s football coach from his childhood up until his high school years.
Professor Andy Van Dam
Professor Andy Van Dam was one of Randy’s mentors and the one who probably influenced Randy the most. Randy calls him the Dutch Uncle and acknowledges the influence he had on him and on his future.
