Everyone familiar with the world of cartoons has surely encountered Warner Bros at some point, but not everyone may realize that Bugs Bunny, one of animation's most beloved figures, made his very first appearance on July 27, 1940.
The character rose to fame through his roles in the Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes series of animated shorts, all produced by Warner Bros. Brought to life by creators Bob Givens and Tex Avery, Bugs Bunny made his initial splash in "Wild Hare."
Throughout the Golden Age of American Animation, Bugs Bunny captured the hearts of countless Americans, eventually rising to the status of both an American icon and the official corporate mascot of Warner Bros. The legendary Mel Blanc provided the character's original voice, although a variety of different actors have taken on the role in the years since.
Portrayed as a gray anthropomorphic hare, Bugs has won fans over with his laid-back demeanor and passive personality. His distinctive Mid-Atlantic accent is another fan favorite — Blanc himself described it as a blend of Bronx and Brooklyn accents.
At his core, Bugs is a mischievous trickster who loves to toy with his adversaries, famously munching on carrots while delivering his iconic catchphrase, "Eh, what's up, Doc?"
The rabbit's reach extends far beyond animated shorts — he's popped up in commercials, amusement park rides, award shows, video games, comic books, music records, TV series, compilations, feature films and short films. No other cartoon character can claim more appearances across feature and short-length films. Remarkably, he ranks as the 9th most featured film personality in the world and even has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
As Craig Chase — the writer and artist responsible for the very first Bugs comic Sunday pages and comic book — once explained, Bunny was far from a one-man creation. Rather, he represents the combined creative talents of about five to six directors and several cartoon writers. Back when the character was being developed, cartoon stories were collaborative efforts where groups of people pitched different gags. Through rounds of discussion and refinement, they hammered out the final version, ultimately giving the world the Bugs Bunny we know and love today.
When TV Guide compiled its list of the top 50 all-time greatest cartoon characters in 2002, Bugs Bunny claimed the number one spot. The achievement prompted a TV Guide editor to declare during a CNN broadcast that Bugs was the greatest comedian ever. In his words, the character was well written, beautifully drawn and has thrilled many generations.