Who is your best silent protagonist?

The guy you play in Rapelay.

This is a very detailed and thoroughly presented.... resume. You delivered a biography and just as @ezekiel43 said, doesn't say anything about Gordon's personality. Which is what was asked for, from some observed/visual reference. The problem is you don't seem to understand what personality is, where you're just conflating it with statistical data.

Sure, you might infer some small details about a person from their vocation; Freeman clearly has an interest in science, in advancing mankind's knowledge or just rewarding his own intellectual curiosity. Then again Lara's profession as an archaeologist tells us of her interest in history and culture. But these are hardly the full scope of anybody's personal traits, their attitudes towards other people, political or spiritual beliefs. Even just going by history, Lara has just as much background info if not more than Freeman:

We know the estate she grew up in, the social class she was raised in. Do we even know what kind of neighborhood or homestead Gordon lived in before the invasion?

We know of her family history, the status of the Crofts as aristocrats, not only wealthy but very affluent in British society with a long standing history. As well as the tragic circumstances surrounding Lara's parents, and how that shaped the course of her life, and how her father's influence when he was around developing her interest in history and culture. Who were Gordon's parents, what role did they play in his life?

We know of the catalyst event in Lara's life, where she's unexpectedly and violently thrown into a survival situation, removed from the security of civilization and forced to adapt to harsh wilderness surroundings. It's the journey of self discovery, innocence destroyed, limitations tested for Lara to learn her true capabilities of what she didn't know what was possible for her. First told as backstory in the old games, then experienced in the 2013 reboot. And fairly for Gordon, we're introduced to him during that turning point in his life.

BUT GETTING BACK TO THE MAIN SUBJECT OF PERSONALITY, this goes deeper than biographical history. With Lara we get the full range of expression, the verbal and tonal signals (not only what she says but how she says it) that give us insight to what goes on with her beneath the surface - we witness not only her actions but her reactions to the events; from which we glimpse her fears, her doubt, mostly early in the game when she doesn't think she can make it through her ordeals on her own or measure up to the family name, anger and hope, relief and elation when she reunites with her friends and crew, a deep love for Sam that drives her to the lengths she goes to her rescue, admiration for Roth, her sense of wonder when she uncovers a relic and discovers more about this island....

These among many that provide details about her attitude and perspective. Not only what she does but WHY she does it.

So Ghost, what can you tell us of Gordon's attitude when the supporting characters interact with him? (Alyx, Eli, Barney), What are his reactions to what they tell him as well as other events? Angry? Sad, optimistic, doubtful, annoyed, agreeable, frustrated, humorous, inspired? Does he have his own goals/motives or just doing what he's told to do and doesn't care beyond that? Does he respect Dr. Eli or only tolerate him for the mutual goal of combating the Combine? Does he hate Breen as a traitor to humanity or pity him for his misguided efforts? Are his motives for the good of all humanity, or just his own self preservation?

In the old games we saw Lara's flirtations with Kurtis Trent (Angel of Darkness) so we have insight into her attractions and social preferences. Is Gordon hot for Alyx, maybe after all they went through together? Or does his feelings for Barney run deeper than the guy is aware? Or does he have a girlfriend waiting for him somewhere, or maybe killed in the invasion he hasn't gotten over? Does he love anybody at all, and what's his type?

So.... anything?

Not every character need love story.

Gordon action are what player action. he doesnot speak a word because developer want us to be gordon freeman. but his backstory is what that is most interesting.

The Player themselves

Not every character needs to actively pursue a romantic interest. But if this is a human being, do you think Gordon is devoid of feelings and desires?

And besides the romantic side, what about all the other aspects of actual personality? What is he afraid of? Inspired by? Hopeful for? His general attitude towards the other characters he deals with? Who does he respect, admire, value, care for? Or who does he find irritable, offensive, foolish, disgusting? Does he respond to difficult encounters with pride as a challenge to beat, disdain as yet another crappy thing adding to the hell of his life, or maybe humorously deflects to avoid dealing with his frustration?

But then again.....

So you're basically admitting that Gordon has NO personality at all. And this is what I've been saying all along (not just in this thread), that Gordon is just an avatar for the player. He's intentionally left blank to be a vessel for the player to experience the world and story. So beyond that, there's no independent interest or motivation other than what the player projects onto him from their own interpretation.

Backstory only provides basic information, and like I said before, maybe a small glimpse of personality on some rudimentary level. Personality can only be fleshed out through interaction, reaction, tone and expression. None of what we get for Gordon Freeman.

The nameless protagonist of Dragon Quest V. The most well-written silent protagonist I've ever seen.

What distinguishes the DQV protagonist from other silent protagonists is that we actually follow his life from the moment he is born through to his '30s. So despite not saying a word, having no name, not being shown his expressions, or not being shown a written biography, the game makes us feel as if we've known him for a long time, by putting us into his shoes and living out his life, through his highs and lows, his happy moments and sad moments, and his interactions and relationships with other characters.

I don't remember seeing a silent protagonist so fully-realized and three-dimensional as the DQV protagonist. It also helps that DQV has one of the most well-written RPG narratives. But it works so well because its silent nameless protagonist does a great job of carrying most of the story on his shoulders.

You wanna know a better Silent Protagonist then a scientist fighting Demons?

Yeah, he don't afraid of anything.

- Minato Arisato

- Chrono

- Akira Kurusu

- Link

link, gordon and chell

Link (especially Wind Waker)- a great example of how to give personality to a character with technically no real characterization.

Fido comes to mind.

"By Azura, by Azura, by Azura! It's the Grand Champion! I can't believe it's you! Standing here! Next to me!"