Showalter, Carl (Fargo)-  Carl Showalter is a criminal  who, along with his associate, Gaear Grimsrud, are introduced to car salesman Jerry Lundegaard by Lundegaard's ex-convict mechanic Shep Proudfoot.  Showalter is constantly talking and making insults about Gaear Grimsrud, and is referred to as a “kinda funny lookin'” guy “in a general way” by witnesses describing him to Marge Olmstead-Gunderson, the chief of Police. 

Lundgaard wishes to call off the kidnapping that he had arranged, but Showalter never gets the message and proceeds to kidnap Jean in a hilarious, somewhat botched attempt which causes Grimsrud to remark to Showalter that he “needs some ointment” for his injured hand. Showalter is a debaucherous and mean-spirited person, even for a small-time criminal.  He is often seen drinking in bars during the movie, and he is able to procure prostitutes for himself and Grimsrud in Brainerd.  Showalter also amuses himself by making fun of others, particularly with Grimsrud's usual silence, by saying, “Wow! That's the most I've heard you say since...” After having kidnapped Jean and taken her to a secluded cabin, Showalter again amuses himself while watching the blindfolded Jean attempt to run to freedom.  Carl is also very impatient, which is evidenced in the cabin when he bangs on and screams at the television when it has bad reception.  Carl's greedy nature also causes him to demand double the initial ransom for Jean due to the murders that occurred as a result of the kidnapping. 

Carl later meets with Wade, an associate of Lundegaard, who is supposed to deliver the ransom, but an altercation ensued after Wade demands to see Jean.  In the struggle, Showalter manages to shoot and kill Wade, but is struck in the face with a bullet in the process.  He grabs the ransom bag, unaware that it is carrying $1 million instead of the $80,000 that he had been told was in it.   Showalter's greed in spite of injury makes him hide all but $80,000 of the money to bring back to Grimsrud. 

In what is arguably Fargo's most famous scene, Showalter is killed with an axe by Grimsrud, who then proceeds to feed his corpse through a wood-chipper.  Showalter and Grimsrud are arguing over who gets the car (part of the ransom); Showalter believes he should get the car because to his injury, and Grimsrud believes that the expense of the car should come out of the ransom money.  Showalter spits of Grimsrud and attepmts to leave, and is then struck in the neck with Grimsrud's axe.  This woodchipper scene has made it ointo many “best of” film lists. 

Carl Showalter is played by veteran actor Steve Buscemi, a long-time collaborator of the Coen Brothers, having played roles in Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink, The Hudsucker Proxy, and The Big Lebowski, in addition to his featured role in Fargo.