The 365 Project, Thursday, July 30, 2015
Our small research and writing group apologizes that we failed to acknowledge the 75th birthday of Bugs Bunny earlier this week. Yes, the affable cartoon character and headliner for Warner Brothers’ Merrie Melodie and Looney Tunes, debuted on July 27, 1940 in “A Wild Hare.” This cartoon was directed by Tex Avery, the animator, voice actor, and cartoonist who also created Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and Chilly Willy.
Some sources state that Ben Hardaway designed Bugs Bunny while others state that Charles Thorson conceived the character. All agree he was named “Bugs” after Hardaway whose nickname was “Bugs.” Mel Blanc was the original voice of Bugs Bunny who asked “Eh, What’s up, Doc?” in the very first cartoon. Over the years, Bugs acquired a slight Brooklyn accent. He became more confident, sometimes wore disguises as he outwitted Elmer Fudd and thoroughly enjoyed a carrot or two in each episode. Bugs Bunny was fifteen and famous when Troy became a city in 1955. He was the second fictional character – after Mickey Mouse – to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on December 10, 1985 and the first animated character to be featured on a US postage stamp in 1997. For many years Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, and Superman were the most famous cartoon characters in the United States.
So, who is your favorite cartoon character and why?
Photos:
Early sketches of Bugs Bunny
Bugs Bunny today
To commemorate the City of Troy’s 60th Anniversary in 2015, we will publish a different story each day that highlights a person, discovery, or event that occurred locally, regionally, nationally, or even globally between 1955 and 2015 and that helped shape our lives and our community. We will try to post stories on important anniversary dates, but we also realize that dates are less critical than content and context. We will include the facts related to controversial stories, allowing our readers to form their own opinions. We invite you to read and comment on the stories. Your suggestions for topics are also welcome and can be posted on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TroyHistoricVillage. You can also email stories or ideas to the 365 Story Editor at ed@thvmail.org.
