Today is World Vegetarian Day (and, in related news, the first day of Vegetarian awareness month), and though all our pledges to go veggie over the years have eventually been undone, we really mean it this time. For inspiration, we’ll be watching plenty of movies and TV to draw strength from these Top 10 Vegetarian Characters.

Lisa Simpson in The Simpsons

Despite her family’s insensitivity, Lisa eventually finds support from Paul and Linda McCartney.

Lex Murphy (Ariana Richards) in Jurassic Park (1993)

In the Spielberg universe, softy vegetarians get chased by giant, carnivorous dinosaurs.

Stan in “Fun With Veal” South Park episode

It doesn’t last very long (two thirds of an episode) and it causes a disease whereby vaginas grow all over his body, but for a solid 10-12 minutes, there, Stan is a hardcore animal rights activist.

Jonathan Safran Foer (Elijah Wood) in Everything is Illuminated (2005)

The effete East Coaster can’t cut it in Eastern Europe.

Sally (Marilyn Burns) in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

It’s mentioned rather off-hand early on, but boy does it ever come back to haunt her!

Darlene (Sara Gilbert) on Roseanne (1988)

The spunky, artsy, activist daughter

Sookie (Claire Danes) in Igby Goes Down (2002)

A happy side-effect of her vegetarianism: perfect joint-rolling skills.

John Henderson (Albert Brooks) in Mother (1996)

Generational gastrological incompatibilities.

Ian Miller (John Corbett) in My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

He’s such a great guy, though, that they forget all about his wussy taste in food and welcome him into the Greek clan.

Lenny (Jack Black) in Shark Tale (2004)

The great white shark and heir to the mob throne doesn’t eat meat, which becomes a problem for the elders.