This is a disambiguation page: a list of similarly named articles. If an internal link referred you to this page, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.



Lara Croft Real Name Lara Croft Birth February 14th (Most timelines) (Year Varies) Status Active (All Timelines) Gender Female Height Varies Eye Color Brown Hair color Brown (Shade varies from light to dark) Nationality English Professions Archaeologist, Tomb Raider, Various others Title Lady Marital Status Single

Engaged (formerly in some timelines) Family Lord Croft (Father) Lady Croft (Mother) Allegiances Various Enemies Various Portrayed By Various



Lara Croft is the titular character of the Tomb Raider franchise.

Debuting in 1996 under original developer Core Design, Lara Croft has attained massive popularity, and is considered by many to be among the most iconic, influential and important video game characters of all time.

Lara was created by Toby Gard.

Character Overview [ edit | edit source ]

Lara Croft is an English archaeologist, treasure hunter and tomb raider. Born to an aristocratic family, Lara is generally disinterested in upper class society, finding it stifling and boring. She takes far more interest in delving into the secrets of the past and finding what is believed to not even exist.

Lara's expeditions have lead her to search for some of the most powerful and dangerous artifacts in the world as well as uncovering some of the most mysterious places in Earth's history.

Lara's exploits are legendary, even garnering a reputation, though occasionally that reputation is less than flattering.

Lara is often in race against time with those who seek the same relics she does for nefarious intentions. Lara has thwarted many groups and individuals who are incredibly well equipped or powerful, including crazed religious cults, mad scientists and even gods.

Lara will often lock up some of the more powerful relics in her manor, in order to keep them out of anyone's hands but her own and if the situation requires it, she may even destroy the artifact if need be.

Incarnations of Lara Croft [ edit | edit source ]

Throughout the years, Lara has existed in multiple universes ever since her debut. At present, there are eight official incarnations of Lara Croft.

Video Games [ edit | edit source ]

Comic Books [ edit | edit source ]

Though each incarnation of Lara is similar, each one does have unique attributes, there are several recurring story features and themes within the timelines.

Lara's default attire usually consists of a tank top, shorts, combat boots and a backpack. Usually with a blue and brown color scheme.

Lara almost always wears her hair in a ponytail or braid. Though she always styles the front differently.

Lara's main choice of weaponry has usually been two pistols and a shotgun.

Story Continuity [ edit | edit source ]

Lara survived a plane crash. All timelines except both of the movies.

Lara is stranded and must survive in the wilderness. All Timelines except the movies.

Lara's Parents are deceased. All timelines, except the original.

Lara works to support her expeditions. Original timeline and Survivor Timeline (Temporary).

Lara is betrayed by a friend/colleague. All timelines except Journeys.

Lara becomes an archaeologist because of her father. Legend, Survivor, Animated and Movie Timelines.

Lara's Mentor dies. All timelines except both movies.

Lara believes someone close to her dies, but they actually survive. All timelines except 2001 movies and animated.

Original Concept [ edit | edit source ]

When Tomb Raider was initially being developed, the game was set to star a character reminiscent of a mustachioed Indiana Jones, right down to attire. During development, the character was scrapped and new character was created.

The original redesign lead to a South American Mercenary named, Laura Cruz, inspired by Swedish singer, Neneh Cherry and comic book heroine, Tank Girl. Core Design later decided to rename her to Lara and make her a hometown hero, and changed Lara's origin to England. Going through the phone book to find a name that sounded similar to the name they had, the found the name "Lara Croft" and renamed their character, as well as giving her an upper class upbringing.

Reception & Cultural Impact [ edit | edit source ]

See also: Tomb Raider and Lara Croft in other media

Lara Croft has been massively popular since her debut in 1996. She is seen by many to be the number one heroine in gaming history, surpassing the likes of Samus Aran from the Metroid series.

Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider series currently have 6 official Guinness World Records, including "Best Selling Video Game Heroine."

Lara's popularity lead to her being adapted to other forms of media as well as being used used in advertising for products such as Lucozade, a brand of energy drink, Seat cars and even a line of chocolate bars.

Lara garnered status as a sex symbol of gaming, leading to her being portrayed by various models for photo shoots. However this has lead to some backlash from feminist groups who took issue with Lara's sex appeal being used for marketing purposes, as well as by parental groups who objected to sexual content in video games.

In 2009 a ring road in Derby was named "Lara Croft Way" after the local council opened a vote to the public to decide the road's name. Lara Croft Way won the public vote with landslide 89% of overall votes numbering over 27,000.

Lara had a star on the Walk of Game in San Francisco before the area was renovated.

Lara's classic attire of a tank top, shorts and combat boots has become a recurring garb of female explorers within the genre, similar to how more classic movie heroes would wear a fedora and leather jacket, which is notably worn by the characters, David Jones in China, Fred C. Dobbs in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, Harry Steele in The Secret of the Incas or Indiana Jones from the franchise of the same name.

Lara's first name is often mispronounced as "Laura" by Americans.

Lara's passport in the original timelines displays her middle name as "Amelia". This is the only timeline where her middle name is known. From the Legend Timeline onward, this was her mother's given name in the games.

She makes a cameo appearance in Totally Spies TV show as a holographic trainer for the World Organization Of Human Protection (or "WOOHP" for short).

TV show as a holographic trainer for the World Organization Of Human Protection (or "WOOHP" for short). Her primary weapon in the Original and Legend series are two handguns. while in the Survivor series, she carries a bow and arrows with a quiver on her back.

The Evolution of Lara Croft [ edit | edit source ]

Original Timeline [ edit | edit source ]

Legend Timeline [ edit | edit source ]

Main Trilogy [ edit | edit source ]

Spin Offs [ edit | edit source ]

Survivor Timeline [ edit | edit source ]