Bugs Bunny celebrates his 80th Birthday

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Published on Monday, 27 July 2020 11:00

Last Updated on 27 July 2020

Monica Costa

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Over the past 80 years, Bugs Bunny has made his mark on the world, entertaining audiences of all ages with his zany antics and endearing, timeless appeal. Lovingly known as a “wascally wabbit” by his fellow Looney Tunes characters, Bugs Bunny’s long ears, knowing eyes, snappy smile and trademark buck teeth are iconic, but it’s his street smarts and charismatic character that have endeared him to fans across the globe.

First created in 1940, Bugs Bunny quickly stood out as an internationally recognised symbol of the Looney Tunes franchise, and larger Warner Bros. Animation. In an era when cartoon stars were cute and innocuous, Bugs Bunny dared to be different with a quick wit, a brains-over-brawn attitude and an unflappable demeanour, which continues to make this bunny from Brooklyn, New York as relevant as ever. His street savvy, and overall calm, cool, and collected manner, makes the no-nonsense rabbit an international superstar.

Simultaneously timeless and timely, Bugs Bunny graces screens of all sizes, from television and movies, to phones and tablets. He also lends his likeness to a range of consumer products, allowing fans to integrate the animated celebrity into their everyday lives. Continuing into the 21st century, the universally recognised leader of the Looney Tunes squad is more popular than ever, attracting new generations of fans, as well as delighting long time devotees.

Bugs Bunny is the character so many of us dream to be. He’s the smartest guy in the room. Stands up to bullies, winning every time. And knows the perfect thing to say given any situation. 

Bugs Bunny Facts

1. Bugs Bunny is from the east side of New York City and speaks in a signature Brooklyn accent.
2. Bugs Bunny made his official debut on July 27, 1940 in Tex Avery’s A Wild Hare (1940).
3. The most popular rabbit in the world was first named Happy Rabbit, before being renamed Bugs Bunny after his original writer Ben “Bugs” Hardaway.
4. Talents include opera singer, baseball player, pianist and, of course, trickster.
5. After having appeared in the 1943 Super-Rabbit in U.S. Marine Corps dress blues, Bugs Bunny was named an honorary Marine Master Sergeant.
6. Bugs Bunny earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1985; he is the only Warner Bros. animated character to have a star.
7. In 1997, Bugs Bunny became the first cartoon on a U.S. postage stamp.
8. Bugs Bunny’s personality and mannerisms are inspired by the famous likes of Charlie Chaplin, Groucho Marx and Clark Gable, among others.
9. Mel Blanc voiced Bugs Bunny for nearly 50 years and his legacy has been carried on by just a small handful of actors including Jeff Bergman, Billy West, Joe Alaskey and Eric Bauza.
10. Mel Blanc actually ate carrots while voicing the iconic character.
11. The Bugs Bunny comic strip ran for almost 50 years, from 1943 to 1990.
12. What’s Opera, Doc?, the 1957 short featuring Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd, was the first cartoon to be selected into the National Film Registry in 1992.
13. Bugs Bunny has been delighting audiences with orchestras around the world for over 30 years as the star of “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony”.
14. The Bugs Bunny Show, which debuted on ABC in 1960, was a network television staple for over 40 years.
15. Bugs Bunny, trickster that he is, has only been thwarted by four other characters in 80 years.
16. Bugs Bunny’s missed left turn at Albuquerque has brought him to such far off locations as Mexico, the Himalayas, Scotland and Germany.
17. Bugs Bunny has appeared in over 175 theatrical shorts, more than any other animated character.
18. Bugs Bunny has been nominated for three Oscars, and won one -in 1958, for “Knighty Knight, Bugs” (with Yosemite Sam).
19. Bugs Bunny appears in theme parks in many countries, including the largest indoor theme park in the world: Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.
20. Bugs Bunny is a master of disguise and has confused his enemies as a barber, a policeman, a baker, a gentleman, and of course, the beautiful Brunhilde.

 New Looney Tunes is available OnDemand with Boomerang across Sky, BT and Virgin.