Approaching Lost

Lost - Character Profile - James “Sawyer” Ford

by Nikki on November 24th, 2007

Lost
Character Profile
James “Sawyer” Ford

Actor: Josh Holloway

On Flight 815: Sawyer was returning to the United States because he was being deported from Australia.

Profession: Con Artist

Prior to the Crash:
Sawyer was born as James Ford. When he was little his parents were the victim of a con by a person named Sawyer. As a result his father killed his mother and then himself. Sawyer grew up and took on the name of the con man as he became a con artist himself. In the process he also vows to avenge his parents by finding and killing the true Sawyer.

During one of his cons against a woman named Cassidy, she immediately knows what he is doing and asks him to teach her his profession. Together they decide to attempt to pull a “long con” after Cassidy reveals she received $600,000 from her ex-husband. Sawyer turns the con on Cassidy and tells her to run, giving her a bag full of money. He reveals that he knew about her settlement and that a car is waiting outside; he will be killed if he doesn’t bring the money to the car. As Cassidy takes off with the bag of fake money, Sawyer enters the house with the real money and deposits it for his partner to collect.

Cassidy presses charges and Sawyer is sent to jail. Cassidy visits him and tells him he has a daughter. Sawyer makes a deal with the warden and is let out of prison. He anonymously sends his reward money to Cassidy’s daughter.

He gets news of where the real Sawyer is, and travels to Australia to kill him. After shooting the man, Sawyer realizes that he had been conned himself - the man he shot was not the real Sawyer. While still in Australia, Sawyer is arrested for assaulting Warren Truss during a bar fight. As a result, Sawyer is deported from Australia and banned from returning

After the Crash:
Sawyer clashes with everyone on the island, wanting them to think he is a jerk. He bestows nicknames on almost everyone. He hordes and steals whatever and whenever he can. After a few weeks on the island he learns of Michael’s attempt to build a raft and he asks to have a place. As a result he is with Michael, Walt, and Jin when they are on the raft and Walt is captured. Sawyer is shot before returning to shore where he is captured by the Tailies.

Sawyer (with Charlie’s help) cons Jack and Locke and ends up with control of the guns. He is soon confronted by Ana Lucia, demanding she give him a gun. She seduces him, and steals his own gun from him

Sawyer is captured by the Others, along with Jack and Kate. Sawyer and Kate are kept in separate cages. Kate climbs out of her cage and the two sleep together. The two escape with Juliet’s help and return to the beac. Later, Sawyer is lured into the jungle by Locke, who leads him to the Black Rock. Once there, Sawyer is locked in a room with Anthony Cooper. During a heated conversation, Anthony reveals that he is the man responsible for his parents’ deaths. Sawyer strangles him.

Off the Island:
We are not yet sure if Sawyer makes it off the island.

Key Character Relations:
Boone - Sawyer passed Boone in a police station in Australia.
Hurley - Indirectly. The girl who announcea Hurley’s winning numbers slept with Sawyer.
Jack - Indirectly. He met Christian in a bar and bought him drinks.
Kate - Indirectly. Kate’s mother served him food when he met with Gordy.
Locke - Indirectly. Locke’s father could be the true Sawyer.

Image used with permission from Newscom

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