Hector Barbossa
A dark trickster and evil counterpart to Jack Sparrow, resurrected to sail again.
Captain Hector Barbossa is a fictional character of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, depicted by Geoffrey Rush and appearing in five films: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Dead Man's Chest (in the final scene, not post-credits), At World's End, On Stranger Tides, and Dead Men Tell No Tales. Barbossa debuted in The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) as the main antagonist, being the captain of the Black Pearl and a cursed undead skeleton, where he dies at the end of the film. However, the character is revealed to have been resurrected by Tia Dalma in the final scene of Dead Man's Chest, and has since appeared in an anti-heroic role. Throughout the series, Barbossa has been conceptualized as a "dark trickster" and the evil counterpart of Captain Jack Sparrow.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- First
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
- Portrayed by
- Geoffrey Rush
- Voice
- Brian George (2006–present); Richard McGonagle (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest video game)
- Occupation
- Pirate Captain
- Pirate Lord of the Caspian Sea
- Formerly:
- First Mate
- Privateer
- Family
- Carina Smyth (daughter)
- Nationality
- West English
Lore & Background
Barbossa was once the first mate of Jack Sparrow, before he eventually betrayed him and led a mutiny to take the Black Pearl, becoming Jack's sworn enemy. In The Curse of the Black Pearl, Barbossa's crew finds the treasure of Isla de Muerta—882 identical pieces of Aztec gold—and take every bit, only to discover they were cursed, doomed to become undead skeletons. Barbossa has Bootstrap Bill Turner thrown overboard with a cannon tied to his leg. The crew spend the next years retrieving the Aztec gold, unable to find the last piece sent to Will Turner.
When Elizabeth Swann falls into the sea wearing Will's medallion, it alerts the cursed pirates. Barbossa has Port Royal attacked and Elizabeth captured. Will offers his blood in exchange for Elizabeth's safety. As Will breaks the curse, Barbossa is shot once by his old captain, and the bullet takes effect, killing him.
He is resurrected by Tia Dalma by the end of Dead Man's Chest. Barbossa was one of the nine Pirate Lords in At World's End (2007). In On Stranger Tides (2011) he served as a privateer under King George III and the Royal Navy while pursuing revenge against Blackbeard. In Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017), he is depicted as a wealthy and powerful pirate leader commanding a large fleet. Since At World's End, he and Jack have let go of their grudge and became allies.
Reader's Guide
Barbossa is defined by his intelligence and adaptability. In the fifth film, Rush has referred to Barbossa as a "corporate pirate" who has amassed immense influence and wealth for his fleet. It is revealed in the fifth film that part of the reason Barbossa turned to piracy was the difficult feelings he had to live with after giving up his daughter for adoption. Rush commented on the selfless sacrifice Barbossa makes to save his daughter, referring to it as a nice and final conclusion to the character's journey of redemption. Due to this, Rush stated that he cannot see himself portraying the character in a potential sequel again, with the exception of a short cameo as a ghost "annoying Jack Sparrow with his wisdom." Barbossa's undead monkey "Jack" appeared aboard the Black Pearl before Jack Sparrow gave the monkey to the voodoo mystic Tia Dalma as payment.
Did You Know?
- The character's first name 'Hector' was created by screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, not by Johnny Depp.
- According to Geoffrey Rush, Barbossa was born to an impoverished Portuguese noblewoman and ran away from home at age 13.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hector Barbossa?
Hector Barbossa is a cunning pirate lord originally known for mutinying against Captain Jack Sparrow to seize the Black Pearl. He evolves from a ruthless antagonist into a complex figure who navigates the dangerous politics of the Brethren Court while prioritizing his own survival.
Which ships has Hector Barbossa commanded?
Barbossa is most famously associated with commanding the Black Pearl for over a decade after his mutiny against Jack Sparrow. Later in his life, he briefly serves as captain of the Flying Dutchman before ultimately dying while serving on the Queen Anne's Revenge.
More in Pirates & Heroes
Elsewhere in Pirates of the Caribbean
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