The Myers-Briggs® Personality Types of The Bear Characters

Carmen ‘Carmy’ Berzatto (ISTJ)

Carmy is reserved, cautious, and detail-oriented. On the outside he seems pragmatic and quiet, but he feels emotions deeply on the inside. And like most ISTJs, he constantly is comparing and contrasting the past to the present. The past lives on in him, sometimes in positive ways, and sometimes in debilitating ways. More than anything, Carmen is driven by a sense of duty. He believes it’s his responsibility to carry on the family business, and restore it to its former glory (or improve it).

ISTJs are amazing at handling details, and Carmen proves he can do this again and again. He notices every hint of flavor, every colorful detail that could make a dish stand out. When he’s thinking and pondering, it’s usually about past experiences and how they relate to the present (a sign of Introverted Sensing, the ISTJ’s dominant function). Though he can be a little tactless at times, particularly under pressure, deep down he has a sensitive heart and wants to do what’s right for everyone. He’s more cautious than brusque; thinking before he speaks unless he’s feeling caged in by mounting pressures.

The inner sensitivity Carmen conveys in the show gives us a glimpse of what ISTJs really go through. They appear pragmatic and direct, but inside they are more deeply feeling than most people realize. This is in thanks to their tertiary Introverted Feeling. While the outside world sees their Thinking side, the inner soul of the ISTJ is actually more sensitive than most people realize.

Find out more about ISTJs: 24 Signs That You’re an ISTJ, the Detective Personality Type

Richard ‘Richie’ Jerimovich (ESFP)

The life of the party, Richie embodies the ESFP personality type; although an unhealthy version of this type, particularly in Season 1. His charm, charisma, and affinity for grabbing the spotlight make him stand out in a crowd. He’s good at working with customers, remembering their names, and livening up the atmosphere. Richie’s spontaneous and impulsive nature often leads to unfiltered reactions and a preference for short-term gratification. Rather than specializing in anything, he bounces from one thing to another, driven by passion and his tempestuous feelings. Richie lives on impulse, something that plagues unhealthy ESFPs. He tends to trust his feelings fully, following them into arguments, fights, bad business deals, and sloppy work. Thankfully in Season 2 he starts to pull himself together and take more pride in his work, but it’s a long and difficult journey for him. Yet even with his flaws, he becomes an endearing character in ‘The Bear’ and one we really root for because deep down we know he has a good heart.

Find out more about ESFPs: ENFP or ESFP – Which One Are You?

Michael Berzatto (ESTP)

Michael, or “Mikey”, fits the mold of the adventurous ESTP. He was someone that could charm anyone and everyone was drawn to him with his stories, humor, and liveliness. He had charisma, boldness, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Like most ESTPs he was impulsive and lively, often mixing playful banter with his real feelings of frustration (as evidenced in the Christmas dinner episode with his mother). Yet Mikey had difficulty expressing his true feelings and struggles; a trait that is an Achilles’ heel for ESTPs. It can feel impossible for them to dredge up their real feelings, the vulnerable ones, because they seem foggy and out of reach (and ESTP’s hate feeling vulnerable). Always in search of stimulation, Mikey’s flexible nature and boldness come in handy when dealing with the unpredictable world of restaurant ownership. But his lack of foresight and disorganized way of life ultimately cause chaos for everyone involved.

Find out more about ESTPs: 10 Signs of an Unhealthy ESTP

Sydney Adamu (INTJ)

I really struggled to narrow down Sydney’s type, but eventually landed on INTJ as being the most clear type. Right away we can see she’s someone who follows a vision, has a plan, and knows how to create a long-term strategy. She believes in her dream and is able to see it through, even if the reality looks very far from the dream she envisions. When she starts work at The Original Beef it’s a disaster; there’s filth everywhere, nobody respects anyone else, and Carmen is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. But she sees what it could be; what it “will” be if she can get her strategy in motion. This visionary approach and belief in the future over the present is a powerful sign of an INTJ personality. On top of that, Sydney creates plans that map out an effective strategy for Carmen; plans that include cutting down wasted costs, improving efficiency, and implementing changes that would allow them to hire and pay her as an employee. This ability to spot areas that are inefficient and fix them is another sign of a TJ personality type. Sydney’s constant desire to implement new changes and improvements initially rubs her fellow employees the wrong way, but in the end she becomes one of the most important minds behind the restaurant’s success.

Discover more about INTJs: Why INTJs Struggle with Loneliness (and How to Cope)

Marcus Brooks (ISFP)

Friendly and curious, Marcus brings a calm and warm-hearted energy to the chaotic kitchen, often serving as a grounding presence amidst the frenzy. His thoughtful and innovative approach to cooking, coupled with a strong but quiet loyalty to his colleagues, perfectly expresses the ISFP’s values of authenticity, aesthetic expression, and harmonious relationships. Marcus’s journey in “The Bear” reflects the individualist nature of the ISFP, showing how they thrive on passion-driven projects and how they can kindle a warm, nurturing environment even within a pressure cooker scenario.

Want to know more about ISFPs? Read The Childhood Struggles of ISFPs

Steven “Stevie” (ENTP)

Stevie has a fairly small role in ‘The Bear’, but he nonetheless makes an impression, as all ENTPs are apt to do. He’s funny, good-humored, and knows how to innovate in tense situations to improve situations. When the Fak brothers pitch him their idea of a baseball card business, even though the idea is terrible (and Stevie knows it), he buys into the idea just because he loves their enthusiasm and he’s amused to see how it turns out. Though tensions are high, Stevie brings humor, creativity, and charm into the situation to try to diffuse tensions as much as he can. ENTPs have a gift for using their pattern-recognition and ability to read the room and people’s feelings to creatively innovate in situations that seem to have no way out.

Find out more about ENTPs: 24 Signs That You’re an ENTP – The Trailblazer Personality Type

Neil Fak (ENFP)

Neil Fak stands out due to his infectious enthusiasm, boundless energy, and his insatiable curiosity about the lives of those around him. He knows how to get things going, amp up the energy, and get people talking, even in moments where a more focused approach might be necessary. Neil’s resilience in the face of adversity, particularly his ability to shrug off negative comments, showcases the typical ENFP optimism and belief in the goodness of people and the power of possibility. Curious and imaginative, he’s always dreaming up possibilities and trying to get others on board. While he isn’t the most intelligent version of an ENFP, he’s still an essential part of the restaurant’s success and is often called on when things go wrong.

Natalie Berzatto “Sugar” (ESFJ)

Natalie Berzatto, known as “Sugar”, is the glue that tries to keep the Berzatto family together. Driven by an innate urge to care for others, she strives to bring her fragmented family into wholeness when it seems like everyone inside it is trying to tear it apart.

Nothing about being Natalie is easy. As an Extraverted Feeling type she thrives on harmony, connection, and unity; yet her family is full of people who seem to emit emotional chaos everywhere they go. Between her mother’s mental illness and alcoholism, to the constant arguments that percolate through their home environment, Natalie is often overwhelmed, lost, and unappreciated. Yet Carmen does realize his sister has a lot to offer. Her ability to reach out, connect, and effectively manage situations with empathy and understanding is evidenced when he hires her as the project manager for The Bear. This role not only highlights her organizational prowess and knack for fostering connections but also underscores her deep commitment to cultivating a positive, cohesive workspace. Despite the personal anguish it causes her, Sugar remains profoundly loyal to her family, continually seeking ways to bridge communication gaps and mend relationships.

Read This Next: 24 Signs That You’re an ESFJ, the Defender Personality Type

Claire (ENFJ)

Empathetic and insightful, Claire knows just what Carmen needs to be able to open up and heal as a person. She exudes warmth, friendliness, and attentiveness; all things that ENFJs are known for. When Carmen is holding back information or not being real with her, she catches on right away. With her patience, empathy, and support, she’s able to crack Carmy’s tough persona and get to the real him underneath.

Jimmy “Cicero” Kalinowski (ESTJ)

Intelligent and no-nonsense, Jimmy does his best to support the Berzatto family while still holding them to task and making sure that Carmen is running a tight ship. As an ESTJ he’s logical, straightforward, and grounded. He also has a traditional side to him; trusting what works in his experience and maintaining ties to people that have been a major part of his life. His down-to-earth, straight-shooting nature exemplifies the ESTJ type. Just remember that underneath his tough exterior he’s someone with a warm heart who will often go above and beyond to help the people he cares about.

Pete (ESFJ)

Pete brings the ESFJ’s sociable and caring trait to the screen. While he may not be a favorite among many of the Berzattos, he’s a huge support to his wife, Natalie, and a friendly background character who tries to lift the spirits of whomever he meets. Even when others are unkind to him, he seems to patiently put up with their rudeness and see the best in them. This giving and gregarious nature is common for ESFJs, although some will tolerate more than others.

What Are Your Thoughts?

Do you have any alternate perspectives you’d like to share? Do you have a favorite character? Let us and other readers know as we celebrate the series together!

The Myers-Briggs® Personality Types of The Bear Characters

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