A young man of noble birth and flawless beauty, often compared to Adonis. At twenty, he receives a portrait of himself. Influenced by the hedonistic philosophy of Lord Henry Wotton, a friend of the painter Basil, he wishes that he could remain eternally young while the portrait ages in his stead. He falls in love with the actress Sibyl Vane, but when he brings Henry and Basil to see her perform, she delivers a terrible performance. Disappointed, Dorian cruelly breaks up with her. Though he regrets it the next morning and resolves to apologize, he learns she has committed suicide. The guilt of causing the death of the woman he intended to marry is reflected in the portrait. From then on, he gains 'eternal youth' but gradually descends into debauchery and corruption, offloading his conscience onto the painting.

The artist who painted the portrait of Dorian Gray. Having poured his entire soul into the work, he is reluctant to exhibit it and gives it to Dorian instead. Later, he is horrified when he sees what the portrait has become. He is eventually murdered by Dorian Gray, and his body is disposed of by the chemist Alan Campbell, whom Dorian blackmails into assisting.

An aesthete often called 'Harry.' A friend of Basil Hallward, he becomes friends with Dorian Gray through the artist. He delivers a panegyric on youth to Dorian, who was growing bored of posing for the portrait. He continues to associate with Dorian, contributing to the young man's downfall with his paradoxical wit and cynical satire. He has a sister named Gwendolen; Basil later criticizes Dorian's influence by mentioning that while she was once beyond reproach, no one will associate with her since she met Dorian, and she has even lost custody of her children. Ironically, Henry indirectly contributed to her ruin as well, though unlike Basil, he seems indifferent to his own sister's fate.

A friend of Dorian and a chemist with a deep appreciation for music. After being close to Dorian for a time, he suddenly distances himself and avoids him. He is summoned by Dorian to dispose of Basil Hallward's body; though he initially refuses, he is forced to comply under blackmail. It is later mentioned that he committed suicide in his laboratory.

Dorian Gray's first love. A talented actress whom Dorian considers a genius, she captivates him with her perfect portrayals of Juliet and Ophelia. Described as a great beauty, she becomes engaged to Dorian, but her newfound love for him makes her unable to act. To her, faking passion on stage feels like a profanation of her real love for Dorian. Dorian, repulsed by her sudden lack of talent, cruelly discards her. Unable to bear the shock, she commits suicide that night. Dorian regrets his actions the next morning, but it is too late. This event causes the portrait to change for the first time.

Sibyl's younger brother. Though handsome like his sister, he is described as having a blunt, rough appearance. Before leaving to work as a sailor, he warns his sister to be careful of her 'Prince Charming.' After her suicide, he vows revenge on Dorian. Years later, he tracks Dorian down but lets him go, believing he has the wrong man because Dorian's face remains impossibly young. After learning the truth from a woman in a tavern, he pursues Dorian again but is accidentally shot and killed during a hunting party. He is buried in an unmarked grave.