Bugs Bunny, the unforgettable cottontail cartoon character that has starred in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series and entertained children across various generations turned 75 years old on July 27, Monday.
Prior to the first Warner Bros. appearance of bugs bunny in 1940, Merrie Melodies released an animated short film entitled "A Wild Hare" on July 27, the said character debuted with its first prototype look on another animated short film named "Porky's Hare Hunt."
It was 2 years later when the iconic look of Bugs bunny entertained kids worldwide.
Chuck Jones, the director of the film, gave credit to Tex Avery for the creation of the said character despite Warner Bros. having different rabbit characters, calling them "cutesy rabbits" and "wacky rabbits" prior to Bugs' creation.
The name "Bugs" became prominent during the next short film, Elmer's Pet Rabbit which was directed by Chuck Jones.
Mel Blanc, who served as the voice actor for Bugs Bunny later claimed that he came up with the name after they planned to name the character Happy Rabbit. Blanc suggested the name after Ben "Bugs" Hardaway, the animator of the first rabbit character, Time reported.
Despite Virgil Ross being the animator for Bugs on A Wild Hare, Chuck Jones became more known for the animation behind Bugs Bunny.
Bugs bunny's character revolved around a witty rabbit from Brooklyn that was effortlessly funny but a little cruel to his bullies.
According to The Verge, the character represented the ideal American personality, while still exceptionally being an underdog. With the famous line, "What's up, Doc?" Bugs Bunny became one of the legendary cartoon figures in American pop culture.