Hannibal Lecter is a fictional character created by author Thomas Harris. He is a brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer, first introduced in the novel "Red Dragon" (1981) and later featured in "The Silence of the Lambs" (1988) and other works. Lecter is known for his intelligence, charm, and manipulative nature, often serving as both a villain and a complex anti-hero in film and literature. The character has been portrayed by actors like Anthony Hopkins, whose performance earned widespread acclaim.