<p id=”par-1_54″>Duke University has been home to many brilliant minds—both real and fictional. But not every portrayal of a Duke alum has been one the university would proudly claim. Enter <em>The White Lotus</em> Season 3’s Tim Ratliff, a <a href=”http://cheatsheet.com/tv”>TV</a> character whose morally ambiguous actions have already stirred controversy, including some pushback from Duke itself. </p>
<p id=”par-2_38″>While it’s not the first time a fictional Blue Devil has found themselves in hot water, Tim’s inclusion in the show raises the question: how does he stack up against other <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/march-madness-2025-star-alumni-every-school-tournament.html/”>famous Duke alumni</a> in film and television?</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-8-tim-ratliff-the-white-lotus-season-3″>8. Tim Ratliff (‘The White Lotus’ Season 3)</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio” id=”emb-1″><div class=”wp-block-embed__wrapper”>
<iframe title=”Parker Posey & Jason Isaacs The Ratliff Family Dynamics | The White Lotus Season 3 | Max” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/dM5SUuWcu1M?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>
<p id=”par-3_42″>Tim Ratliff (Jason Isaacs) heavily represents Duke in <em>The White Lotus</em> universe … and that’s a problem for the real university. As a wealthy and morally ambiguous character, Tim brings more maturity and influence to the table than his son Saxon. </p>
<p id=”par-4_36″>Tim’s dreams of murder-suicide to avoid accountability for his financial crimes make him a hard Duke alum to stomach. The <em>White Lotus </em>Season 3 finale will either bring redemption or catastrophe for <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/the-white-lotus-star-jason-isaacs-defends-durham-accent.html/”>the scion from Durham</a>.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-7-jimmy-cooper-the-o-c”>7. Jimmy Cooper (‘The O.C.’)</h2>
<p id=”par-5_63″>As the troubled father of Marissa Cooper, Jimmy Cooper’s Duke credentials are a footnote in his narrative rather than a defining trait. Known for his financial missteps and dramatic falls from grace, Jimmy (Tate Donovan) doesn’t exactly reflect the blue-chip success one might expect from a Duke graduate. However, his role in <em>The O.C.</em> made him <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/the-o-c-characters-creator-josh-schwartz-wishes-he-wouldve-kept-around-longer.html/”>a recognizable name in early 2000s television</a>.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-6-saxon-ratliff-the-white-lotus-season-3″>6. Saxon Ratliff (‘The White Lotus’ Season 3)</h2>
<p id=”par-6_73″>Saxon Ratliff (Patrick Schwarzenegger) is a slightly more palatable Duke alum than his father. Each episode of <em>The White Lotus </em>Season 3 reveals more about Saxon’s character, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/tv/the-white-lotus-shock-factor-prestige-tv.html/”>inching him toward “tragic figure” territory</a>. But the eldest Ratliff child also can’t seem to help himself (see: the meditation session with Chelsea) and falls back to his true nature. On the other hand, the Duke grad’s behavior has a lot to do with his environment.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-5-stacy-warner-house-m-d”>5. Stacy Warner (‘House, M.D.’)</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio” id=”emb-2″><div class=”wp-block-embed__wrapper”>
<iframe title=”House and Stacy Try to Work Together | House M.D.” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/V8jty9lB7fM?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>
<p id=”par-7_70″>A high-powered attorney and former love interest of Dr. Gregory House, Stacy Warner (Sela Ward) is a Duke graduate whose intelligence and legal acumen make her a force to be reckoned with. Stacy plays a crucial role in House’s life, often challenging him in ways few others can. While her time on <em>House, M.D.</em> was relatively brief, her impact was significant enough to earn her a spot on this list.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-4-benjamin-barry-how-to-lose-a-guy-in-10-days”>4. Benjamin Barry (‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’)</h2>
<p id=”par-8_84″>A charismatic advertising executive with a knack for winning high-stakes bets, Benjamin Barry is a Duke graduate who knows how to sell—whether it’s diamonds or himself. <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/matthew-mcconaughey-bought-a-motorcycle-to-get-comfortable-before-1-beloved-movie.html/”>Played by Matthew McConaughey</a>, his charm and strategic thinking make him a standout in the world of fictional Duke alumni. While his career in advertising might not be as high-profile as some others on this list, his cultural impact, thanks to the enduring popularity of <em>How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days</em>, secures him a solid spot.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-3-sloan-sabbath-the-newsroom”>3. Sloan Sabbath (‘The Newsroom’)</h2>
<p id=”par-9_60″>A brilliant and fiercely independent financial journalist, Sloan Sabbath is a standout character in <em>The Newsroom</em>. Played by Olivia Munn, Sloan’s intelligence and wit make her one of the most respected figures in fictional journalism. Her Duke education is a testament to her expertise in economics, and she consistently proves herself as one of the sharpest minds in the series.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-2-sarah-mackenzie-jag”>2. Sarah MacKenzie (‘JAG’)</h2>
<p id=”par-10_76″>A formidable Marine Corps officer and attorney, Sarah MacKenzie (Catherine Bell) is one of the most admirable figures on this list. Her intelligence, discipline, and leadership in <em>JAG</em> make her a strong representative of Duke’s academic and moral rigor. While <em>JAG</em> may not have the same cultural footprint as some of the other shows on this list, MacKenzie remains a beloved character in military and legal drama circles, even <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/ncis-los-angeles-season-11-finale.html/”>returning to TV on <em>NCIS: Los Angeles</em></a>.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-1-sam-seaborn-the-west-wing”>1. Sam Seaborn (‘The West Wing’)</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio” id=”emb-3″><div class=”wp-block-embed__wrapper”>
<iframe loading=”lazy” title=”That Sam Seaborn Is Impressive | The West Wing” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/0KBp1BRmPws?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>
<div class=”related-articles”>
<span class=”related-article-flag”>Related</span>
<div class=”related-article”>
<img src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/natasha-rothwell-the-white-lotus-season-3.webp” alt=”Natasha Rothwell on Why That One ‘White Lotus’ Character Keeps Returning to the Resort”>
<p class=”related-article__title”>
<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/natasha-rothwell-white-lotus-character-keeps-returning-resort.html/”>
Natasha Rothwell on Why That One ‘White Lotus’ Character Keeps Returning to the Resort </a>
</p>
</div>
<div class=”related-article”>
<img src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Leslie-Bibb-Heather-Dubrow.webp” alt=”Leslie Bibb Says There’s ‘A Little Heather Dubrow’ In Her ‘White Lotus’ Character”>
<p class=”related-article__title”>
<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/leslie-bibb-heather-dubrow-white-lotus-character.html/”>
Leslie Bibb Says There’s ‘A Little Heather Dubrow’ In Her ‘White Lotus’ Character </a>
</p>
</div>
<div class=”related-article”>
<img src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-White-Lotus-Parker-Posey.webp” alt=”‘The White Lotus’ Fans Are Obsessed with Parker Posey — Here’s Where to Watch More of Her in 2025!”>
<p class=”related-article__title”>
<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/the-white-lotus-fans-obsessed-parker-posey-tv-shows-movies-watch-2025.html/”>
‘The White Lotus’ Fans Are Obsessed with Parker Posey — Here’s Where to Watch More of Her in 2025! </a>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<p id=”par-11_62″>As one of the sharpest minds in <em>The West Wing</em>, Sam Seaborn’s Duke Law education is a key piece of his impressive résumé. Rob Lowe’s role in shaping political discourse within the series is monumental, and his idealism and wit <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/rob-lowe-has-no-regrets-about-leaving-west-wing-for-me-it-worked-out-perfectly.html/”>made him a fan favorite</a>. A strong, capable leader, he is one of the most respected fictional Duke alumni in television history.</p>
<p id=”par-12_60″>From doctors to politicians, businessmen to criminals, Duke University’s fictional alumni cover a wide range of personalities and professions. Whether inspiring, infuriating, or downright diabolical, these characters have all left their mark on television history. And <em>The White Lotus </em>Season 3 finale will determine if Tim and Saxon Ratliff pass with honors or fail to make their alma mater proud.</p>