Mr. Gold

"I'm a villain.... and villains don't get happy endings."

- Mr. Gold to Malcolm

Mr. Gold is a character on ABC's Once Upon a Time. He débuts in the first episode of the first season. He is portrayed by starring cast member Robert Carlyle, and is the Storybrooke counterpart of Rumplestiltskin.

Trivia

 * His name, Mr. Gold, is a reference to both the original fairytale and Mr. Gold's Enchanted Forest persona. In both, Rumplestiltskin is able to spin straw into gold.
 * He has been called an imp in reference to the Rumpelstiltskin fairytale.
 * Like Rumplestiltskin, Mr. Gold treats names as important. In many cultures and some beliefs about magic, to know someone or something's "true name" gives you power over that person or thing.
 * On Twitter, episode writer Jane Espenson stated a first name has never been established for Mr. Gold.
 * The surname "Gold" is of Old English origin derived from the word "gold" that was often used as an endearment or show of affection.
 * He has a noticeable limp and walks with a cane, much like he did before he was cursed with the Dark One's abilities. Being in a Land Without Magic, Mr. Gold is unable to use his powers to placate his disability. However once magic was brought to Storybrooke in "A Land Without Magic", he no longer needed it, but chose to keep using it. It isn't until he returns to Storybrooke from Neverland in "The New Neverland" after saving Henry that he chose to not use it to promise to Neal that he wasn't going to become the man he was again.
 * He has a few gold teeth.
 * He greatly dislikes nuns.
 * Owns and operates a pawnshop where a number of objects from the Enchanted Forest are kept.
 * Mr. Gold is a licensed attorney, a quality which allows him to broker many of his Storybrooke deals. He alludes to having enough legal experience to represent Mary Margaret in a criminal trial.

Appearances
Note: "Archive" denotes archive footage.
 * Mr. Gold's name appears on the list Tamara has in "The Evil Queen".