Best Cartoon Characters Ever

When we sat down and started ranking out our list of the best cartoon characters of all time, we weren't necessarily looking for the trailblazers, though we wound up with a few of them anyway. Instead, our goal was to highlight characters that have become larger than life, the ones whose mannerisms, speech patterns and catch-phrases have found a home in the cultural lexicon. If you saw the character, would you know who it was? Could you do an impersonation or easily recall a favorite episode? In short, we were looking for characters who have withstood the test of time, who have contributed something lasting to the pop culture landscape, and who have become more than just drawings with voice actors.

Bugs Bunny

Bugs Bunny is an animated rabbit who appears in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of animated films produced by Warner Bros., one of which, 1958's Knighty Knight Bugs, won an Academy Award, hence his standard introduction on his 1960-launched television series, "...that Oscar-winning rabbit...." According to his biography, he was "born" in 1940 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York and the product of many creators: Ben "Bugs" Hardaway (who created a prototypical version of Bugs Bunny that appeared in 1938's Porky's Hare Hunt, 1939's Prest-O Change-O, 1939's Hare-um Scare-um, 1940's Elmer's Candid Camera and 1941's Elmer's Pet Rabbit, although billed in the last as Bugs Bunny--the first time that name was used on-screen) Bob Clampett, Tex Avery, Robert McKimson (created the definitive Bugs Bunny character design), Chuck Jones, and Friz Freleng. According to Mel Blanc, his original voice actor, his accent is an equal blend of the Bronx and Brooklyn dialects.

A number of animation historians believe Bugs Bunny to have been influenced by an earlier Disney character called Max Hare. Max, designed by Charlie Thorson, first appeared in the Silly Symphony The Tortoise and the Hare, directed by Wilfred Jackson. The story was based on a fable by Aesop and cast Max against Toby Tortoise, and won the Academy Award for Animated Short Film for 1934. Max also appeared in the sequel Toby Tortoise Returns and the Mickey Mouse cartoon Mickey's Polo Team.The only solid connection between Max and Bugs however is Charlie Thorson. He was also responsible for the redesign of Happy Rabbit (Bugs Bunny's Prototype) from a white to a gray rabbit for his third appearance in Hare-um Scare-um (see below); thus the similarity in design. Bugs himself would eventually appear in three variations on The Tortoise and the Hare. Bugs eventually evolved a personality of detachment, often quipping no matter how immediate the danger he was in was. This was derived directly from Groucho Marx. The way Bugs used his carrot is also similar to the way Groucho used his cigar. One of Bugs' most popular catch-phrases, "Of course you realize, this means war!" was originally said by Groucho (and other characters) in the film Duck Soup.

Homer Simpson

Homer Jay Simpson is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons voiced by Dan Castellaneta. He has become a very popular cartoon character along with the rest of his family, and his catchphrase, the annoyed grunt "D'oh!", has been included in the Oxford English Dictionary. Homer is named after the father of the show's creator Matt Groening. Homer embodies several American working class stereotypes such as being crude, overweight, incompetent, intolerant, clumsy, thoughtless and a borderline alcoholic. Despite his apparent blue-collar status, he has had a number of remarkable experiences. Although he is gluttonous, lazy and extraordinarily stupid, he has occasionally displayed flashes of brilliance and an integrity reflecting his own values. It is partly because of these contradictory attributes that Homer has been recognized by fans and media organizations alike as one of the greatest comedic creations of modern times.

Although The Simpsons has a floating timeline in which the characters do not age, and the show is set in the current year, certain dates have been given. Homer was born on May 12, 1956. He was raised on a farm by his parents, Mona and Abraham Simpson. In the mid-1960s, while Homer was between nine and twelve years of age, Mona went into hiding following a run-in with the law. Homer attended Springfield High School and fell in love with Marge Bouvier in 1974. Marge became pregnant with Bart in 1981, while Homer was working at a miniature golf course. The two were wed in a small wedding chapel across the state line, From there they spent their wedding reception alone at a truck stop, and the remainder of their wedding night at Marge's parents' house. After failing to get a job at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, Homer left Marge to find a job by which he could support his family. He briefly worked at a taco restaurant called the Gulp n' Blow, until Marge found him and convinced him to return. As a result, Homer confronted Mr. Burns and secured a job at the Plant. Marge became pregnant with Lisa in 1983, shortly before the new couple bought their first house. In 1985 and 1986, Homer saw brief success as the lead singer and songwriter for the barbershop quartet the Be Sharps, even winning a Grammy. During his time with the group, Homer was frequently absent from home, which put stress on his marriage. After the group broke up due to creative differences, Homer went back to Springfield to continue his old life. Sometime in the late 1980s, Homer and Marge carefully budgeted so Homer could have his dream job as a pin monkey in a bowling alley. Unfortunately for Homer, Marge became pregnant with Maggie shortly after he started his new job, and not being able to support his family, he went back to the Nuclear Plant. According to comments on The Simpsons DVD commentaries by the writers and producers, Homer's age was initially 34, but as the writers aged, they found that he seemed a bit older too, so they changed his age to 38; this is contradicted by The Homer Book which states Homer is currently 36.

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Fred Flintstone

Frederick J. "Fred" Flintstone, also known as "Fred F. Flintstone" and "Fred W. Flintstone" in at least one episode, is a fictional character who originated in the popular television animated series The Flintstones. Fred has since appeared in various other cartoon spinoffs and commercials. He is the husband of Wilma Flintstone and father of Pebbles Flintstone. His best friends are his next door neighbors, Betty and Barney Rubble, who have a son named Bamm-Bamm. Fred lives in the fictional prehistoric city of Bedrock, a world where dinosaurs coexist with modernized barefoot cavepeople and the cavepeople enjoy "primitive" versions of modern conveniences such as telephones, automobiles, and washing machines. Fred's personality was based on that of Ralph Kramden of the 1950s television series The Honeymooners and Chester A. Riley from The Life of Riley. Thus, much like Ralph, Fred tends to be loud-mouthed, aggressive, and constantly scheming ways to improve his family's working class lot in life, often with unintended results. Fred works as a "bronto crane operator" at Slate Rock and Gravel Company (also known as Rockhead and Quarry Cave Construction Company in the earliest episodes). Fred's interests include bowling, playing pool, poker, lounging around the house, and playing golf. At the first two of these, he is very skilled, as seen in one of the episodes where he plays against Wilma's unsuspecting mother. Also, Fred has won championships with his incredible bowling skills; in one episode, he goes so far as to take ballet lessons in order to improve his game. Fred is also an excellent golfer. In one episode he wins the championship only to have Barney repossess the winning trophy cup because Fred is behind in his dues. Fred, like Barney, was also a member of the Loyal Order of Water Buffalos Lodge and a member of the Loyal Order of Dinosaurs (clearly modeled after Freemasonry; Blanc himself was a Mason). Fred also has a serious gambling problem; the mere mention of the word "bet" causes Fred to stammer "bet" over and over again and go on gambling binges. Fred's catchphrase is "Yabba-Dabba-Doo!," which becomes the subject of a song by Hoagy Carmichael that the singer-songwriter performs in an episode of The Flintstones. Fred's ability to carry a tune was quite good in his younger years. In fact, he was a singer and went on tour. As the series progressed, however, his voice became worse and worse, eventually to the point that his housekeeper quit rather than hear Fred sing. It was also referenced in the refrain of the George Jones song "The King is Gone."

Fred Flintstone's biography has changed significantly throughout the show and its subsequent spinoffs. He is the only son of Ed and Edna Flintstone. In the original series episode, "Love Letters On The Rocks", it is stated that Fred and Wilma attended Boulder High School together, where Fred was a baseball player. Fred asked Wilma out when he was sixteen by romancing her with a love letter. This is contradicted in a later episode, "Flintstone Of Prinstone", where it is revealed that Fred went to Rockyville High School, was a football player, and graduated in seven years instead of four. His first meeting with Wilma has also been retconned in "Bachelor Daze" where it shows them meeting as young adults during the summer. In The Flintstone Kids Fred and Wilma's first meeting has been retconned all the way to their childhood, having them know each other as children and having attended Bedrock Elementary. In the original series: The Flintstone clan came from "Arkanstone" home of the Razorbacks {Arkansas} where they had a long feud with the "Hatrocks." The feud ended when Fred saved both Pebbles and a Hatrock baby from drowning in the local river. However, at the celebration of the end of the feud, Fred makes the same comment about a portrait of a Hatrock matron that originally started the feud, ("I don't know what he got for it, but he shoulda got life!) which restarts the feud. His last Arkanstone relation was "Zeke Flintstone." He had a rich eccentric uncle, "Giggles Flinstone," whose practical jokes drive Fred into a maddening rage. He also had two Texas relatives-Uncle "Tex" and sister Aunt "Jamina". His birthday is February 2nd; it's mentioned when Barney mentions that it's Groundhog Day. Both the first and last episodes were about aviation. In the first, Barney invents a hand powered heliocopter; in the last, one of Fred's relatives and his sidekick are still trying to bring down their Red Baron enemy-50 years after World War IV. Fred Flinstone also had a short cameo in Debbie Does Dallas

Cartman

series South Park. He is voiced by series co-creator, Trey Parker. Cartman is a main character in the fictional series "South Park". He often acts as a catalyst for their adventures through his over-enthusiasm and selfishness. Cartman is notably eccentric, often reacting in violent and over-dramatic ways to events he dislikes and openly expresses his hatred of any race or group of which he is not a member, particularly of the Jews due to his rivalry with Kyle Broflovski, leading to him idolizing Adolf Hitler. He often manipulates others, at which he is very adept, to meet his own ends, regardless of the consequences to other people, even if it can result in deaths and destruction. According to Trey Parker and Matt Stone, when they were creating South Park they were vexed that it would be impossible to put a character like Archie Bunker on late-20th century television. They thought, however, that if he were an animated eight-year-old boy, it might just be allowed. Thus, Cartman was born. Cartman's personality has notably changed over the course of series. While always self-centered and bigoted, he was portrayed as more of an immature brat in the earlier seasons. As the seasons progressed, his personality became more aggressive and cunning, eventually crossing the line into outright sociopathy, while his bigotry morphed seamlessly into Nazi-like hatred and theorizing. His abilities to manipulate other people into doing what he wants have become keener, along with his overall intelligence. In 2005, Cartman was ranked number nineteen on Bravo's 100 Greatest TV Characters.

Eric Cartman is selfish, spoiled, foul-mouthed, ill-tempered, insensitive, sociopathic, greedy, racist, hypercritical, wildly insecure, bigoted and manipulative. He is portrayed as having a general lack of moral responsibility or social conscience. He also seems to take pleasure from others' misfortune, and is generally unable to show empathy, although there have been exceptions, such as in "How to Eat with Your Butt". This has been also parodied, as well as the cliche of a typical villain becoming benevolent. In these episodes, he usually convinces Kyle that he has good intentions, such as in the episdes "Cartoon Wars", where Cartman appears to Kyle to be concerned of people's safety at the beginning, but it is later shown to only have been acting in his own interests, and in "Kenny Dies", he is apparently distraught at Kenny's impending death, leading Kyle to console him, and later, when his real motives were revealed, Kyle promptly beats him up in Kenny's defense. In "The Death of Eric Cartman", Kyle brands him a "fat, racist, self-centered, intolerant, manipulative sociopath". Cartman, however, does not consider himself to be a bad person, in fact he seems to disregard good or bad altogether and does whatever he feels is necessary for him to get ahead. Cartman seems to be motivated not so much by personal gain as by asserting superiority over others, usually Kyle. In Red Hot Catholic Love, he won $20 in a bet with Kyle, but instead of using the money, he simply flaunted it in front of Kyle until Kyle conceded that Cartman was right, ruining his sense of victory and causing him to throw a tantrum. The same thing happens in Christian Rock Hard. Kyle makes a $10 bet that he can get a platinum album before Cartman, but Cartman makes a successful album and makes millions of dollars and earning the album. But when Cartman discovers that the Christian companies do not give out Platinum albums (they give out Myrrh albums), thus meaning he cannot win the bet, so he angrily destroys the album, showing that he did not care how he just made millions of dollars, he just wanted to beat Kyle. Cartman's much quoted line, "Respect my authority" (or as Cartman pronounces it, "authori-tah") highlights his power hungry and dictatorial characteristic. Ironically, despite (or perhaps because of) these qualities, Cartman also seems to be a natural-born leader, able to utilize overwhelming charisma and rhetoric to gain the obedience of large groups on a moment's notice (as in "The Passion of the Jew" episode) . He appears innately aware of how to take advantage of "mob mentality" and direct it toward accomplishing his personal goals, as has been evidenced in countless episodes throughout the series' history. In situations where the other boys share his goals, Cartman is often the De facto leader (for example, Make Love, Not Warcraft and Marjorine). Indeed, the others consistently show a willingness to follow him and trust in his leadership when he's using his abilities for "good."

Tom & Jerry

Tom and Jerry is an Academy Award-winning animated cartoon series of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer theatrical shorts created, written and directed by animators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. One hundred and fourteen Tom and Jerry cartoons were produced by the MGM cartoon studio in Hollywood from 1940 until 1957, when the animation unit was closed down. These shorts are notable for having won seven Academy Awards for Best Short Subject (Cartoons), tying it with Disney's Silly Symphonies as the most-awarded theatrical animated series. It is widely rated as one of the best animated cartoon series ever.

Tom is a bluish-grey cat, depending on the short (Tom's fur color is close to that of the Russian Blue breed of cats), who lives a pampered life, while Jerry is a small brown mouse who always lives in proximity to him. Tom is very quick-tempered and thin-skinned, while Jerry is independent and opportunistic. Despite being very energetic and determined, Tom is no match for Jerry's brains and wits. By the iris-out of each cartoon, Jerry usually emerges triumphant, while Tom is shown as the loser. However, other results may be reached; on rare occasions, Tom triumphs. Sometimes, usually ironically, they both lose or they both end up being friends. Both characters display sadistic tendencies, in that they are equally likely to take pleasure in tormenting each other. However, depending on the cartoon, whenever one character appears to be in mortal danger (in a dangerous situation or by an enemy), the other will develop a conscience and save him. Sometimes they bond over a mutual sentiment towards an unpleasant experience. Although many supporting and minor characters speak, Tom and Jerry rarely do so. Tom, most famously, sings while wooing female cats; for example, Tom sings Louis Jordan's "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby" in the 1946 short Solid Serenade. Co-director William Hanna provided most of the squeaks, gasps, and other vocal effects for the pair, including the most famous sound effect from the series, Tom's leather-lunged scream (created by recording Hanna's scream and eliminating the beginning and ending of the recording, leaving only the strongest part of the scream on the soundtrack). The only other reasonably common vocalisation is made by Tom when some external reference claims a certain scenario or eventuality to be impossible, which inevitably, ironically happens to thwart Tom's plans - at which point, a bedraggled and battered Tom appears and says in a haunting, echoing voice "Don't you believe it!". One short, 1956's Blue Cat Blues, is narrated by Jerry in voiceover. Also, the episode The Lonesome Mouse (1943) has significant bits of talk, with Jerry muttering, "Why, that dirty, double-crossin, good-for-nothin, two timin..." in the end.

Donald Duck

Donald Duck is an animated cartoon and comic-book character from Walt Disney Productions. Donald is a white anthropomorphic duck with yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He usually wears a sailor shirt, cap, and a red or black bowtie but no trousers (except when he goes swimming). Donald's most famous trait is his easily provoked and occasionally explosive temper. According to Disney canon, Donald's full name is Donald Fauntleroy Duck, probably a reference to his traditional outfit. Donald's birthday is officially recognized as June 9, 1934, the day his debut film was released, but in The Three Caballeros, his birthday is given as simply "Friday the 13th". In Donald's Happy Birthday (short) gives his birthday as 13 March. Donald's famous voice, one of the most identifiable voices in all of animation, was until 1983 performed by voice actor Clarence "Ducky" Nash. It was largely this semi-intelligible speech that would cement Donald's image into audiences' minds and help fuel both Donald's and Nash's rise to stardom. Since 1985, Donald has been voiced by Tony Anselmo, who was trained by Nash for the role.

According to Leonard Maltin in his introduction to The Chronological Donald - Volume 1, The idea for a duck character was thought of when Walt Disney heard Clarence Nash doing his "duck" voice while reciting "Mary had a little lamb". Mickey Mouse had lost some of his edge since becoming a role model for children and Disney wanted a character that could portray some of the more negative character traits he could no longer bestow on Mickey. Donald Duck first appeared in the Silly Symphonies cartoon The Wise Little Hen on June 9, 1934 (though he is mentioned in a 1931 Disney storybook). Donald's appearance in the cartoon, as created by animator Dick Lundy, is similar to his modern look the feather and beak colors are the same, as is the blue sailor shirt and hat but his features are more elongated, his body plumper, and his feet bigger. Donald's personality is not developed either; in the short, he only fills the role of the unhelpful friend from the original story. Bert Gillett, director of The Wise Little Hen, brought Donald back in his Mickey Mouse cartoon, The Orphan's Benefit on August 11, 1934. Donald is one of a number of characters who are giving performances in a benefit for Mickey's Orphans. Donald's act is to recite the poems Mary Had a Little Lamb and Little Boy Blue, but every time he tries, the mischievous orphans eat his specially made pie, leading the duck to fly into a squawking fit of anger. This explosive personality would remain with Donald for decades to come. Donald continued to be a hit with audiences. The character began appearing in most Mickey Mouse cartoons as a regular member of the ensemble with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto. Cartoons from this period, such as the 1935 cartoon The Band Concert in which Donald repeatedly disrupts the Mickey Mouse Orchestra's rendition of The William Tell Overture by playing Turkey in the Straw are regularly hailed by critics as exemplary films and classics of animation. Animator Ben Sharpsteen also minted the classic Mickey, Donald, and Goofy comedy in 1935, with the cartoon Mickey's Service Station. In 1936, Donald was redesigned to be a bit fuller, rounder, and cuter. He also began starring in solo cartoons, the first of which was the January 9, 1937 Ben Sharpsteen cartoon, Don Donald. This short also introduced Donald's long-time love interest, Daisy Duck (here called Donna Duck). Donald's nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, would make their first animated appearance a year later in the April 15, 1938 film, Donald's Nephews, directed by Jack King (they had been earlier introduced in the Donald Duck comic strip by Al Taliaferro, see below).

Mickey Mouse

Mickey Mouse is an Academy Award-winning comic animal cartoon character who has become an icon for The Walt Disney Company. Mickey Mouse was created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks and voiced by Walt Disney. The Walt Disney Company celebrates his birth as November 18, 1928 upon the release of Steamboat Willie. The anthropomorphic mouse has evolved from being simply a character in animated cartoons and comic strips to become one of the most recognizable symbols in the world.

Mickey was created as a replacement for Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, an earlier cartoon character created by the Disney studio for Charles Mintz of Universal Studios. In fact, Mickey closely resembled Oswald in his early appearances. Hugh Harman drew some sketches of mice for a photograph of Disney, which inspired Ub Iwerks to create a character to replace Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. This inspiration became one of Disney's most recongisable characters in the world, Mickey Mouse. When Disney asked for a larger budget for his popular Oswald series, Mintz announced he had hired the bulk of Disney's staff, but that Disney could keep doing the Oswald series, as long as he agreed to a budget cut and went on the payroll. Mintz owned Oswald and thought he had Disney over a barrel. Angrily, Disney refused the deal and returned to California to produce the final Oswald cartoons he contractually owed Mintz. Disney was dismayed at the betrayal by his staff, but determined to restart from scratch. The new Disney Studio initially consisted of animator Ub Iwerks and a loyal apprentice artist, Les Clark. One lesson Disney learned from the experience was to thereafter always make sure that he owned all rights to the characters produced by his company. In the spring of 1928, Disney asked Ub Iwerks to start drawing up new character ideas. Iwerks tried sketches of frogs, dogs and cats, but none of these appealed to Disney. A female cow and male horse were also rejected. They would later turn up as Clarabelle Cow and Horace Horsecollar. Ub Iwerks eventually got inspiration from an old drawing. In 1925, Hugh Harman drew some sketches of mice around a photograph of Walt Disney. These inspired Ub Iwerks to create a new mouse character for Disney called Mickey Mouse. "We felt that the public, and especially the children, like animals that are cute and little. I think we are rather indebted to Charlie Chaplin for the idea. We wanted something appealing, and we thought of a tiny bit of a mouse that would have something of the wistfulness of Chaplin a little fellow trying to do the best he could." "When people laugh at Mickey Mouse, it's because he's so human; and that is the secret of his popularity." "I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing that it was all started by a mouse." Walt Disney