claim: Norman Bates is a fictional character.
evidence: Norman Bates is a fictional character created by Robert Bloch as the main antagonist in his 1959 novel Psycho , and portrayed by Anthony Perkins in the 1960 film of the same name directed by Alfred Hitchcock and its sequels , and by Freddie Highmore in the television series Bates Motel .. Psycho. Psycho ( novel ). Anthony Perkins. Anthony Perkins. Bates Motel. Bates Motel ( TV series ). Freddie Highmore. Freddie Highmore. Robert Bloch. Robert Bloch. antagonist. antagonist. the 1960 film of the same name. Psycho ( 1960 film ). Alfred Hitchcock. Alfred Hitchcock. sequels. Psycho ( franchise ). The character was inspired by Wisconsin murderer Ed Gein .. Wisconsin. Wisconsin. Ed Gein. Ed Gein