Stanley "Stan" Mitchell, who claims himself to be Eminem's number one fan, is the main antagonist of Eminem's single "Stan" featuring British singer Dido in 2000. Later serving as the posthumous overarching antagonist of "Bad Guy". He was played by the actor Devon Sawa, who also played Lucas Wheeler in "Chucky" and Alex Browning in "Final Destination".
History[]
Stan was a big fan of Eminem, writing him numerous letters detailing his experiences with depression, suicide attempts, and issues maintaining a positive relationship with his pregnant girlfriend (played by Dido). Stanley slowly became more unstable and unhinged due to Eminem not writing him back quickly. His issues eventually culminated into him tying his girlfriend up, putting her in the trunk of his car, and recording one last cassette tape for Eminem before driving off a bridge into a lake below. At the scene, police officers recovered the cassette tape that Stan had recorded for Eminem. The tape contained the last words that Stan would have said. It is presumed that Stan died instantly, while his girlfriend suffocated to death in the trunk before help could arrive.
After Stan’s funeral, his mother and his little brother, Matthew Mitchell, are seen standing in front of his grave, where it is revealed that Matthew had dyed his hair blonde, and though not said in the song, it is likely that he turned out just as his older brother Stan did.
Once Eminem had finally received Stan's letters, he responded, sending Matthew an autographed Denver Broncos hat and then telling Stan he should treat his girlfriend better. Right before he mails it, the news report shows Stan's death, and Stan's reflection is then seen on Eminem's window.
In the song "Bad Guy", Matthew avenges his brother's death by driving their former idol into a river.
Please notice that there is no official evidence that this actually happened and that this is a made-up fictional character showing an over-obsessed fan. The story is entirely fictional and created by Eminem. However, in the song "Guilty Conscience", an assumed "Stan" is at a frat party when a 15 year old girl passes out after "Stan" drugs a drink. In this, Dr. Dre and Slim Shady act as his conscience on whether or not to have sex with her. But, Dr. Dre (the good side of his conscience) cannot persuade him otherwise, and intercourse took place that night.
Personality[]
Stan has Borderline Personality Disorder, which is the driving force behind most of Stan's actions. This illness, also called Emotional Dysregulation Disorder, is a mood disorder characterized by unstable moods, self-image, and relationships. The song "Stan", despite it being less than ten minutes in length, is actually used in some universities as a research project for psychiatry/psychology when discussing Borderline Personalities because Stan is practically the poster child for a Borderline Personality Disordered individual. Stan, who was written specifically to portray an individual with severe Borderline Personality Disorder. Stan has practically every symptom of Borderline Personality Disorder, including, but not limited to, identity disturbance, a lack of a sense of self, black-and-white thinking, irrational thoughts, paranoia, delusions, unstable and intense interpersonal relationships, splitting between love and hate, emotional instability, insecurity, compulsive behavior, hostility, irritability, unjustified intense anger, and extreme emotions often leading to abuse or violence, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts or actions, obsessions, blame-shifting, impulsivity or lack of restraint and self-destructive behaviors. This disorder is usually caused by traumatic events. Stan said that he had a childhood trauma, when he saw his father cheating on his mother, abusing and beating her. Stan said that "he never knew" his father. Stan also said that a friend of his committed suicide over a woman.