Janet Leigh

'Psycho' (1960)

Who's Your Mommy? Norman Bates/Mother (Anthony Perkins). You may never see her (breathing, anyway), but Mrs. Bates is very much front and center in Norman's freaked-out life. As he runs his desolate Bates Motel, she can be heard nagging him, leading him to murder.... more

Meanest Moment: When "Mother" hollers at Norman about the pretty little lodger (Janet Leigh), leading the confused man/mother to stab poor Marion in the shower. Over and over and over again. And in a bad wig.

Memorable Quote: "A boy's best friend is his mother." -- Norman's famous line, something he obviously, fervently believes in ... enough to, uh, become her.

Maternal Comeuppance? Well, Mother was dead to begin with, but ... no. Numerous people are killed and Norman winds up in an institution. Mother's control wins in the end: Hers is the final voice we hear in the film, having totally taken over her demented son's mind. (Everett Collection)