50 Most Famous Cartoon Characters & Mascots

Could you name fifty famous cartoon characters off the top of your head? I didn’t think I could … until I got started. I’d wager if you are over 30 years old, you would recognize and know every single one of these characters. For real, every single one.  In writing this post I came to realize the sheer volume of cartoon characters that have permanently infiltrated my brain. Famous cartoon characters and mascots seem to have one thing in common: they are incredibly sticky.  Like it or not, they invade your head space, and never leave.

If you are like me, some of these characters you grew up with as a kid, others you will have gotten to know and love as an adult. The one’s that made it on this list did so because of their enduring greatness to last beyond mere fad and pull up a permanent place both in popular culture and in our minds. In no particular order, let’s get this started! And naturally, all characters are copyright of their respective owners. Don’t steal them m’kay?

1. Mickey Mouse

   
   Joyful, vulnerable, lovable. Mickey came into our hearts and minds decades ago and still reigns supreme. He’s like the Jesus of cartoon characters.

2. Eric Theodore Cartman

   

   Eric showed up in the 90’s and will forever leave us laughing … and emotionally scarred.

3. Homer Simpson

   
   Homer made us all feel A-OK about being overweight, gluttonous and idiotic. Thanks buddy.

4. Popeye

   

   Popeye showed us that all you need is a heart of gold and you’ll be just fine. A pair of killer pipes don’t hurt either.

5. Joe Camel

   

   Hey smoking is cool! Right? Er … well, it used to be. Thanks Joe.

 




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6. Garfield

   

   Mischievous, scheming and adorable. Garfield has had us grinning for years and years.

7. Charlie Brown

   

   Yet another vulnerable and lovable icon. Charlie made being neurotic totally cool.

8. Alvin

   

   Furry, friendly and gifted at turning a catchy tune.

9. Tweety Bird

   

   Feathery, friendly and gifted at the art of escape!

10. Tom & Jerry

    

    Polar opposites providing some great laughs during their constant fighting.

11. Toucan Sam

    

    One of the original cereal icons, Toucan Sam has gone on to grace much more than a cereal box.

12. Archie

    

    You can’t stand in a supermarket checkout line without seeing Archie getting into trouble with the girls.

13. Fat Albert

    

    In 1967, Bill Cosby introduced us to Fat Albert and his friends. They’ve been making us laugh ever since.

14. Linus van Pelt

    

    Brother of Lucy, Friend and unusally smart sidekick to Charlie Brown. Showed us we all need our comfort “thing” in some way, shape or form.

15. Bart Simpson

    

    Enough said.

16. Mighty Mouse

    

    Rocked up in the 1940’s and was one of the original cartoon super stars. Mighty made many things possible for many characters who followed in his footsteps.

17. Lucy van Pelt

    

    Bossy, crabby and bad tempered. For all her bad vibes, Lucy had a romantic side that would emerge regarding a certain boy called Schroeder.

18. Capt’n Crunch

    

    Introduced in 1963, the Captain has thrived for decades amidst growing competition for our cereal dollars.

19. Fred Flintstone

    

    We can credit Fred for many things. One of which was laying the foundation for a guy like Homer to be created.

20. Porky Pig

    

    Awww.

21. Shaggy

    

    Flared pants, scruffy facial hair, crazy voice. We love you Shaggy.

22. Richie Rich

    

    Another supermarket superstar, Richie let us tag along for the ride as he lived the life we all wished we could.

23. Casper

    

    Was he a little boy before he was a ghost? We’ll never know but he sure was a nice fella.

24. Pink Panther

    

    In 1963, the title sequence to the Pink Panther movie was so popular that the character was given his own animated series of shorts. The rest is history!

25. Ren & Stimpy

    

    Nonsensical, absurd, controversial. Ren & Stimpy made us cackle and cringe all at once.

26. Spiderman

    

    Created by legendary writer Stan Lee, Spiderman hit the scene in the early 60s … and never left.

27. Jughead

    

    Jughead (real name Forsythe Pendleton Jones III!) . Best friend to Archie and a fast runner which helps him get away from Ethel!

28. Mr. Kool Aid

    

    Also known as Kool Aid Man came to life in 1954. He’s been representing colored sugar water ever since.

29. Betty Boop

    

    Betty was the original cartoon sex kitten. She arrived in the 1930s and was turning heads long before most of us were born.

30. Road Runner

    

    Always smarter and faster than one…

31. Wile E. Coyote

    

    The eptitomy of persistence. If you look up “tenacious” in the dictionary, there should be a picture of Wile E. Coyote. This guy NEVER gives up.

32. Jolly Green Giant

    

    How do you sell more peas and corn? In the 1920’s, they decided that creating a huge, friendly green guy might do the trick.

33. Bugs Bunny

    

    Super intelligent, cool and calm. Bugs always seems to know what’s up … (doc).

34. Olive Oyl

    

    In 1919, it was “Popeye who?” Olive Oyl was the star of the show.

35. Daffy Duck

    

    In the late 1930’s, Daffy came along and established himself as a hilarious and lovable screwball. We’ve been laughing with and at him ever since.

36. Scooby Doo

    

    Shaggy’s pet and best friend, Shaggy is probably the world’s most famous Great Dane.

37. Donald Duck

    

    He wears a hat and a shirt but no pants. Donald is another character born in the 1930’s that has stood the test of time with flying colors.

38. Elmer Fudd

    

    Elmer is a lovable dope with an unmistakable voice. His mission in life? Shoot Bugs Bunny dead. It’s been seventy years and he’s still trying.

39. Wonder Woman

    

    December 1941 is when Wonder Woman showed up. And ever since, she’s been a powerhouse of feminine super power.

40. Hello Kitty

    

    A one billion dollar per year industry is Hello Kitty. Born in 1974, this cat knows how to sell.

41. Papa Smurf

    

    The oldest and wisest of all the Smurfs. Papa Smurf is the rock the other Smurfs all turn too whenever there’s a problem. We applaud you for a job well done Papa Smurf.

42. Batman

    

    Another legend from the late 30’s, Batman is one of those epic characters that has graced almost every medium known to man.

43. Superman

    

    Arguably the most famous of all cartoon superheros, Superman was created in the early 30’s and left an lasting impression on mainstream and popular culture in more ways than we’ll ever know.

44. Snap, Crackle & Pop

    These three fellas have been getting us to by Rice Crispies for decades and have done a pretty darn good job of it. I don’t think they’ll be out of work any time soon.

45. Smurfette

    

    Ah the beautiful and lucky Smurfette. Blonde hair, white high heels and the only girl in town makes her the love interest of practically every Smurf around!

46. Kenny McCormick

    

    No one has died on screen more times than Kenny. This guy is forever etched in our minds for his bright orange parka, muffled speech and numerous disgusting deaths he has suffered at the hands of his creators.

47. Goofy

    

    Another Disney legend and one of Mickey’s best friends, Goofy was born in 1932 and is yet another cartoon icon who has stood the test of time.

48. Calvin & Hobbes

    

    30 million books sold can’t be wrong. The adventures of young Calvin and his tiger Hobbes keep us reading and loving them.

49. Winnie the Pooh

    

    Also known as Pooh Bear, Winnie came first came to us in 1926. His travels and friends grace the minds of almost every kid. Thanks Winnie.

50. Yogi Bear

    

    Our favorite rhyming bear, Yogi has been shamelessly self-promting and overestimating his intelligence since the 50’s with his sidekick Boo Boo.

Consider this Part 1 of the Most Famous Cartoon Characters and Mascots. Got a character you want to see in Part 2? Tell me in the comments!

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Tags: Cartoon characters, famous

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