Okay, I couldn't just choose one character, so here are the top five. : P 
Dustfinger (from the Inkheart trilogy) -- There was never any contest of who my favorite character would be, from the moment I started watching the Inkheart movie (and later on read the books). 
I don't know for sure why Dustfinger caught my attention. At first, I think it was because he was so mysterious and intriguing, with his fire magic and the epic horned marten. But as the movie and the books wore on, he reminded me more of a lost puppy--how all he wanted was to go home to be with his family. And I love that, in the end, he did the right things. He struggled to help someone else, instead of save himself, and, when it came down to it, he was able to.
Boromir (from Lord of the Rings) -- It was a little harder to choose my favorite LOTR character; I'm always having trouble because all the characters are so cool--once, someone asked me who my favorite characters were, and I said, "Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, Eomer, Faramir, Pippin, Sam, and Merry". (Not Frodo. He whines too much. 

)
But I think Boromir is definitely number one on the list. I honestly consider him as a form of Everyman, in the respect that he did give in to temptation. Most of the other characters didn't, at least not fully. Boromir is someone I can relate with; he wants to be good, and to do the right thing, but he has trouble overcoming temptation and doubts. And before he died, he redeemed himself. That's what everyone wants to do in the end, I think, is to prove that they're better than what people think of them.
Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold (from Once Upon A Time) -- Nobody I talk to (at least, 97% of the people I talk to) about OUAT understand why I like Mr. Gold's character so much. He's 'mean', 'a jerk', and he's just 'annoying'.
Well, maybe I'm delving a little too deep, but I think Rumpel is just misunderstood. I mean, he has every right to be angry--his wife ran out on him, he was ashamed and belittled in front of his only son, his son was sent to a different world, and he was told that the woman he loved was dead, and believed that for over twenty years. I think anyone would be bitter with the world after that.
In my opinion, he's trying not to be good on purpose, because in his life, he's associated 'emotions' with 'pain'. He's afraid that if he shows compassion, something will happen to hurt him again. And I think this because I can relate. I went through a period of time where I was literally a jerk to everyone, refused to show any sort of emotion that wasn't anger or annoyance. Because I had decided that if you love or feel happy, you'll just get hurt. 
So anyway, I guess the reason I like his character so much is because of that. And he also has an awesome accent. 

David Banner (from the 70's show, The Incredible Hulk) -- I had to do it. 

 Don't ever let word of this get out to my brother and mom, or they will never let me forget it.
David Banner is probably on my top-favorite-TV show-character list. This time, not because he's misunderstood or struggling or anything. I like David because he's (as my mom says), 'the kindest, gentlest, most compassionate person ever seen on TV'. I don't know how true the superlatives are, but I do think he fits the descsriptive words chosen. I like watching the show mainly because he never hesitates to lend a hand to whoever needs it, even if he hardly knows them. He tries as hard as he can to find a cure for his Hulk problem, but for some reason never succeeds (as far as I can tell). Not to mention nobody ever picks him up when he's hitchhiking. That has to be annoying, and he just puts up with it. XD
(And he turns into a huge green monster that actually isn't evil and helps people. How much cooler can you get?)
Indiana Jones (from the all-famous movies) -- Yeah, none of you ever saw that coming, did you? 

 I think it's fairly obvious why I like the character. He's the ultimate hero, but he's not invincible. He's brave, witty, and he carries around a bullwhip that he uses as a weapon. And he wears a wicked cool fedora. And his dad is James Bond (not really, but still). His sidekick Sallah is also a Dwarf in a different life (the LOTR side of me just couldn't resist). I mean, come on! He's probably one of the most epic characters in movie history.
And yeah, I'll stop the rambling now. 

 Thanks for fighting through the annoying crazy fan rant.
((I wanted to put the guy from the movie Harvey, but it's been a long time since I've seen that movie, and I can't remember his name. I do know he was played by Jimmy Stewart. How could I forget? He's one of the best actors I've ever seen.))