mybio
In this Article, We will know about 31 of the Most Famous Cartoon Characters. Please like and share if You are interested!
In the early 1900s, animation slowly developed alongside movies and television. In the 30s, major studios like Disney, Warner Bros., and Fox produced iconic cartoon characters that became the faces of their companies. In the 70s and 80s, groundbreaking characters debuted in prime time, changing the landscape of animation instantly. In the 90s and beyond, animation continued to introduce legendary cartoon stars that dominated the market. It’s always been a fascinating medium that does things live-action films and TV shows can’t even consider. For instance, cartoon characters never age and can look the same forever. The most famous cartoon characters transcend time and remain hugely popular even today.
For centuries brilliant minds have come together to bring the world the best cartoon characters. Characters introduced in the Golden Age of cartoons are releasing new content regularly. Iconic cartoon stars from the 70s and 80s are still on t-shirts, lunchboxes, and other merchandise. Of course, we can’t forget the groundbreaking cartoon characters from the 90s and 2000s that changed the medium forever. Here’s a look at 31 of the most famous cartoon characters that changed the world.
1. Bart Simpson
super guygy funny/YouTube
The rebellious and sometimes controversial Bart Simpson is easily the most famous animated character in cartoon history. He’s the breakout star of the longest-running animated sitcom, The Simpsons. The series follows the lives of The Simpson family and their friends in the town of Springfield.
The animated series became a cultural phenomenon after debuting in 1989 to universal praise. Initially, Matt Groening created a series of shorts for the Tracey Ullman Show in 1987 with Bart becoming the star. Bartamania swept across the world with Bart appearing on t-shirts, in video games, and on other merchandise.
2. Dory
YouTube/SnoutyPig
The sweet and forgetful royal blue tang Dory stole the spotlight in the beloved animated movie Finding Nemo in 2003. The helpful and kind Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) joins Marlin on his search for his son Nemo.
Dory connected with audiences and became a massively popular character. She became one of Disney’s biggest stars and a huge merchandise seller. Dory got so famous the studio started work on a sequel about her character. In 2016, Finding Dory hit theatres to universal praise, cementing Dory’s legacy.
3. Eric Cartman
FreeYork
Voiced by Trey Parker, Eric Cartman is one of the main characters in the groundbreaking sitcom South Park. Cartman and his friends Stan, Kyle, and Kenny usually get into trouble around their quaint little town in Colorado.
Cartman was the breakout star due to his bold, unique, and controversial personality. The series is famous for pushing the envelope and crossing the line. In addition to starring in the series, Cartman’s a pop culture icon and leading merchandise seller.
4. Betty Boop
YouTube/Cult Cinema Classics
Throughout cartoon history, there have been a lot of characters that came and went. However, none have had the lasting impact of the iconic cartoon sex symbol Betty Boop. After her debut in the 1930s, Betty Boop became one of the most famous female cartoon characters.
She debuted in the short Dizzy Dishes as a French poodle. By the mid-30s, Boop was now a human, Jazz age flapper with big eyes and a sensual personality. She’s one of the few female characters from that time that is still popular today.
5. Stewie Griffin
YouTube/Stewie Griffin
The brilliant and sometimes psychotic Stewie Griffin is the breakout star of the critically and commercially acclaimed animated sitcom Family Guy. Stewie debuted with the rest of the Griffin family in 1999 and quickly became the series’ biggest star.
Voiced by series creator Seth MacFarlane, Stewie is known for his unique personality, love/hate relationship with his mother, and friendship with family pet Brian Griffin. Stewie Griffin is one of the most famous cartoon characters of all time and rivals Bart Simpson, Eric Cartman, and Bugs Bunny as the most popular.
6. Mickey Mouse
DisneyJuniorUK/YouTube
In the late 1920s, Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks created the mouse that started it all. Mickey Mouse is the first true animated cartoon superstar. He made his critically acclaimed debut in the 1928 animated short film Steamboat Willie. Plus, Mickey became the face of the Walt Disney Company and stars in short films, TV series, and an entire theme park.
Mickey also starred in several movies, notably Fantasia. His success and popularity led to Disney introducing a whole cast of characters, including Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald Duck. Mickey Mouse remains the most iconic Disney cartoon character.
7. Jessica Rabbit
YouTube/Revion
Every cartoon and man in Los Angeles is in love with actress Jessica Rabbit, but she’s only got eyes for the main man Roger Rabbit. The animated femme fatale was the breakout star of the 1988 movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Critics consider Jessica a sex symbol famous for her sultry voice and dangerous curves. At the same time, she’s very loyal and attracted to her silly but sweet husband, Roger. After her feature film debut, Jessica Rabbit became one of the most recognizable characters and still appears on merchandise today.
8. SpongeBob Square Pants
SpongeBob SquarePants Official/YouTube
Deep in the ocean near Bikini Bottom lives SpongeBob SquarePants and his good friends. They spend their days getting into trouble and going on many adventures. As one of the longest-running animated series, SpongeBob SquarePants debuted to universal acclaim in May of 1999.
The series became a cultural phenomenon and turned SpongeBob into a timeless character. He’s as popular as Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, and Bart Simpson. The series was so popular it led to the spinoff series The Patrick Show.
9. Bugs Bunny
WatchMojo.com/YouTube
The sarcastic, witty, and cool Bugs Bunny debuted in the 1930s and became an instant hit. He even rivals Mickey Mouse in popularity and remains a fixture of modern cartoons. As the mascot of Warner Bros., he starred in Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies, and Space Jam.
Voiced by Mel Blanc, there isn’t a person that doesn’t know Bugs Bunny. Like Mickey, Bugs also appears on a long line of merchandise, including clothes, toys, and more. Undoubtedly, Bugs Bunny is one of animation’s most famous cartoon characters.
10. Ariel
YouTube/Disney Princess
The rebellious princess Ariel made quite the splash in Disney’s classic Little Mermaid in 1989. Ariel and the classic cartoon sparked the Disney Renaissance era that would produce a string of the greatest animated movies.
Ariel is a simple mermaid who dreams about life on land and falls in love with a human. Ariel is one of the most famous Disney Princesses and paved the way for the princesses who followed in her footsteps. Halle Bailey stars as Ariel in the upcoming live-action film The Little Mermaid.
11. Peter Pan
HK Stories/YouTube
Since his debut in 1902, the iconic character Peter Pan and his supporting cast of characters have been part of every child’s life. The massively famous character starred in the novel, a renowned stage play, and the 1954 animated Disney classic Peter Pan.
He’s the boy that never grows up and leads the Lost Boys on a series of adventures featuring Tinker Bell and Captain Hook. There isn’t a person in the world or Neverland that doesn’t know Peter Pan.
12. Sheriff Woody Pride
Pixar/YouTube
The groundbreaking franchise Toy Story follows a group of walking and talking toys. The first movie in the series hit theatres in 1995 and became a massive success. The leader of the group is the pull-string cowboy Sheriff Woody Pride.
Voiced by Tom Hanks, Woody is famous for his loyalty, strong leadership skills, and noble personality. Woody is easily one of the most famous cartoon characters of the last 30 years.
13. Charlie Brown
Snoopy/YouTube
Initially starring in the Peanuts comic strip, Charlie Brown became an iconic cartoon character. Charles M. Schultz first created the lovable loser in the 1950s along with his pet dog, Snoopy. Brown’s pessimistic and has low self-esteem but tries to be optimistic.
He became the central character in the million-dollar Peanuts franchise and starred in several TV shows and holiday specials. In 2015, Brown and his friends starred in the computer-animated Peanuts Movie.
14. Roger Rabbit
Laser Time/YouTube
Few cartoon characters compare to Roger Rabbit. He’s known for his goofy yet charming personality. Indeed, women find him irresistible, like his wife, Jessica Rabbit. He’s best known for his role in the classic late 80s live-action/animated movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
In the film, Roger enlists the help of human Detective Eddie Valiant to clear his name. The movie features appearances from heavy hitters including Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, Daffy Duck, and Donald Duck.
15. Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup
YouTube/The Powerpuff Girls
Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup are kindergartners by day and superheroes by night. The three sisters each have a different superpower that helps them in their fight against crime. They also have distinct personalities that separate them from each other.
The Powerpuff Girls debuted on The Cartoon Network in 1998 to positive reviews. The show was so popular that the three sisters became an overnight success.
16. Porky Pig
Funbucket at the Movies/YouTube
In the mid-30s, a short, fat little pig with a stutter became Warner Bros.’s first big animated star. The iconic Porky Pig debuted just a few years before Bugs Bunny became the king of cartoons.
He’s best known for delivering the closing line on Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies with his famous stutter. Porky became one of the mascots for Warner Bros., appearing on merchandise and in the feature film Space Jam.
17. Fred Flintstone
Boomerang Official/YouTube
In the early 60s, The Flintstones debuted and changed animated television forever. The classic cartoon series made history as the first prime-time animated show when it premiered on ABC in 1960. The Flintstones is still one of the most popular cartoon series of all time.
The series follows Fred, his wife Wilma, and best friends as they live in the stone-age. Fred is a highly influential character that paved the way for other bumbling but loveable dads like Homer Simpson, Peter Griffin, and Rich Sanchez.
18. Homer Simpson
Homer Simpson is the dim-witted but lovable father with a short fuse on the legendary sitcom The Simpsons. It’s safe to say the series wouldn’t be the same without him. Homer and his wife, Marge, have a passionate romance and a beautiful love story.
He’s also a caring father to Bart, Lisa, and Maggie, even though Bart drives him crazy. Homer became such a popular character that the English Dictionary added his world-famous catchphrase “D’oh” in 1998. Homer’s undoubtedly the most famous cartoon dad.
19. Peter Griffin
Sebastian Targaryen/YouTube
The beloved animated sitcom Family Guy revolves around Peter Griffin and his wife Lois as they raise their family in Quahog. Peter is famous for his rude and crude sense of humor that usually crosses the line.
Despite his brutal nature, he’s sometimes a sweet husband, father, and friend. Honestly, most of the time, he’s getting drunk and traumatizing his only daughter Meg Griffin. Regardless, Peter Griffin is one of the most famous animated dads and cartoon characters.
20. Rick Sanchez
E4/YouTube
Rick Sanchez and his grandson Morty often go on adventures through space and time in the critically acclaimed animated sitcom Rick and Morty. The series is one of the most popular new animated shows of the last ten years.
Rick and Morty broke through into pop culture, with Rick becoming a cultural icon. He’s famous for being an alcoholic mad scientist that claims to know everything about the universe. Rick has a strong connection with audiences and appears on a ton of merchandise as well.
21. Johnny Bravo
Cartoon Network UK/YouTube
Johnny Bravo thought he was god’s gift to women with his big muscles, dashing good looks, and Elvis Presley-style appeal. Well, it turns out that he’s not a gift after all. Debuting on the Cartoon Network in 1997, Johnny Bravo was a romantic animated sitcom that followed Johnny as he tried to score a date.
The series surprised everyone and became a big hit, with Johnny becoming one of the most popular characters in animation. His catchphrases became part of popular culture. Also, the series gave a break to several writers who created groundbreaking shows, including Seth MacFarlane and Butch Hartman.
22. Donald Duck
Disney World HQ/YouTube
After Mickey Mouse became a household name, Walt Disney decided to introduce Mickey’s best friend, Donald Duck. The misbehaving Donald debuted in the mid-30s and exploded in popularity. He joined Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy as the main mascots of the Walt Disney Company.
Donald was such a popular character that he got his own relatives and friends, including Daisy Duck, Scrooge McDuck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie. Donald often stars in shot-films and animated shows with friends Mickey and Goofy.
23. Mighty Mouse
Funbucket at the Movies/YouTube
Inspired by Superman, Terrytoons created Mighty Mouse in 1942 to star in a series of theatrical movies. He debuted in the Mouse of Tomorrow but became a household name with the 1955 cartoon series Mighty Mouse Playhouse.
The iconic character continued to find new audiences in popular shows between the 70s and 80s. Mighty Mouse is also known for his famous and catchy theme song, “Here I Come To Save The Day.”
24. Scooby Doo
WB Kids/YouTube
Scooby-Doo and his friends debuted in 1969 and became a staple of Saturday morning cartoons. The popular series Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? revolved around Scooby and his friends Fred, Daphne, Velma, and Shaggy solving supernatural mysteries.
The series was a massive success, and Scooby-Doo became a household name. He went on to star in several animated series and a 2002 live-action movie.
25. Buzz Lightyear
Crazy Buzz fan/YouTube
Buzz Lightyear is one of the central characters in the Toy Story franchise. At first, he’s unaware that he’s a toy and threatens Sheriff Woody’s place as Andy’s favorite toy. Later, Buzz and Woody became best friends and lead the other toys on many adventures.
Along with Woody, Buzz is one of the most famous cartoon characters of the 90s. In fact, Buzz and Woody joined the iconic character Mickey Mouse as the face of Disney Studios. In 2022, Chris Evans voiced Buzz in the animated film Lightyear.
26. Pink Panther
Official Pink Panther/YouTube
In the early 60s, Peter Sellers starred as Inspector Clouseau in the classic live-action series The Pink Panther. The animated Pink Panther character first appeared in the opening and closing credits of the movies.
By the late 60s, the cartoon character was so popular that he starred in the animated series The Pink Panther. The Pink Panther is one of the most recognizable cartoon characters due to his design, slick personality, and memorable theme song.
27. Daffy Duck
Daffy Armando Duck/YouTube
Bugs Bunny’s best friend and sometimes rival, Daffy Duck, debuted in the late 30s to rave reviews. He led the way for screwball cartoon characters to take over the industry from the more serious Walt Disney stars. The short-tempered and bumbling Daffy quickly became one of the stars of Warner Bros.
He joined Bugs and Porky Pig as the faces of Warner Bros. animation. Daffy went on to star in a series of short films and TV series. He joined the rest of the cast in the iconic movie Space Jam and its recent sequel. He’s easily one of the most famous cartoon characters.
28. Yogi Bear
Warner Bros. Entertainment/YouTube
William Hanna and Joseph Barbera created Yogi Bear in 1958 as a supporting character in the animated series Huckleberry Hound. However, Yogi stole the spotlight and became animation’s first breakout star.
By 1961 he was starring in his own series and the 1964 animated musical feature Hey There, It’s Yogi Bear. The self-proclaimed thief is truly smarter than the average bear.
29. Tommy Pickles
parody.wikia
Tommy Pickles is the main character in the hugely popular cartoon Rugrats. The little toddler is the leader of his circle of friends as they deal with all the ups and downs of growing up. Tommy has a curious mind and wonders what is beyond the walls of his daycare.
The series debuted in 1991 and turned into a significant media franchise. It includes numerous home videos, feature-length movies, and spinoffs. Undoubtedly, Tommy Pickles is one of the cartoon’s most memorable characters.
30. Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner
It’s impossible to talk about Wile E. Coyote without mentioning his hated rival, The Road Runner. Both characters debuted in the late 40s and quickly became Warner Bros.’s latest breakout stars. The story revolves around Mr. Coyote trying to capture the Road Runner using various ACME gadgets. Unfortunately for Wile, Road Runner has a way of escaping every time.
Wile Coyote sometimes crosses paths with Warner Bros.’s biggest star Bugs Bunny. Wile and the Road Runner appear in The Road Runner Show and The Bugs Bunny Show. Wile Coyote is also starring in the upcoming live-action/animated movie Coyote vs. Acme.
31. Tom & Jerry
WB Kids
The heated feud between Tom Cat and Jerry Mouse is the center of the classic animated franchise Tom & Jerry. The iconic duo debuted in the early 1940s and joined the Golden Age of animation. Each episode revolves around Tom trying to capture Jerry while he outsmarted the cat at every turn.
They first starred in the Tom & Jerry Show in the late 70s and in several more animated series throughout the 80s and 90s. In 2021, they starred in the live-action/animated movie Tom & Jerry. Tom and Jerry remain one of the most popular cartoon duos in animation history.
Categories: Entertainment
Source: Tekmonk Famous Biography
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings