| “ | Florida Man is responsible for a large percentage of abnormal incidents that occur in Florida. Think of him as an alt-right Johnny Appleseed. No one knows his true identity, date of birth, what he looks like. That's why headlines always say, "Florida Man". | „ |
| ~ Darius describing Florida Man. |
Florida Man is a minor antagonist in the Atlanta season 2 episode "Alligator Man". He is a mythical figure who's responsible for all the strange and abnormal crimes that occur in Florida.
He was portrayed by Kevin Waterman, who also portrayed The Milkman in Fear Street trilogy.
Biography[]
While he's not involved in the plot of the episode, he is mentioned by Darius during a conversation with Earn as he tells him he should warn his parents to watch out for him while visiting their terminally ill uncle Willy. The legendary figure's real identity is unknown, hence the reason why newspapers always describe him as a "Florida man." According to Darius, all the bizzare and strange occurrences that happen in Florida are largely his doings. He also believes that Florida Man is employed by the government to prevent black people from voting in Florida. However, Earn isn't convinced that Florida Man is real.
Later in the episode, Florida Man is mentioned again by Willy while arguing with Earn which prompts Darius to gives him a smug look.
Personality[]
Although nothing is known about him except that Florida Man is a shady and sinister folklore-type individual who's known for terrorizing the streets of Florida due to his extremely unhinged and unpredictable nature. He is a highly dangerous figure who commits acts that would harm and endanger the lives of others. Most of his crimes are absurd and laughable as well as heinous and disturbing such as brutally beating up a flamingo or devouring a victim's face.
According to Darius, Florida Man might hold xenophobic and racist beliefs, this could be the reason behind him murdering an unarmed black teenager. Other than that, the motives behind his other crimes are unknown, though it might be due to possible mental illness or drug usage.
Trivia[]
- Most of the headlines that Darius listed during the montage scene are actual real-life incidents.
- Florida Man Shoots Unarmed Black Teenager" is a reference to The murder of a 17-year-old Trayvon Martin at the hands of George Zimmerman which occurred in Sanford, Florida in 2012.
- Florida Man Found Eating Another Man’s Face" is likely a reference to the Miami cannibal attack that took place in 2012, where a nude zombie-like Miami resident named Rudy Eugene, attacked a homeless man named Ronald Poppo by chewing off most of his face. It was speculated that bath salts caused Eugene to attack Poppo.
- Florida Man beats a flamingo to death" might possibly refer to Joseph Anthony Corrao, a 45-year-old Orlando resident who fatally injured a 15-year-old Chilean flamingo.