How Popular Cartoon Characters Looked Like at the Start of Their “Career”

Some animated series go on for so long, that they see several generations grow up, artists and drawing styles change, not to mention the dawning of computer animation. So, many of us no longer remember what these characters looked like when they first appeared on TV.

Here at CHEERY, we decided to look back at what some of the famous cartoon characters used to look like at the very beginning. And as a bonus, we’ve included a picture of the very first version of Shrek.

Bugs Bunny

© Porky's Hare Hunt / Warner Bros. Cartoons and co-producers, © Pest Coaster / Warner Bros. Cartoons and co-producers

Scooby-Doo and Shaggy Rogers

© Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! / Hanna-Barbera Productions and co-producers, © Scoob! / Warner Bros. and co-producers

Goofy

© The Whoopee Party / Walt Disney Productions, © Mickey and the Roadster Racers / Disney Television Animation

Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica, and twins Phil and Lil

© Rugrats / Nickelodeon Animation Studios and co-producers, © Rugrats / Nickelodeon Animation Studios and co-producers

Garfield

© Garfield and Friends / Film Roman Productions and co-producers, © The Garfield Show / France Télévisions and co-producers

Yogi Bear

© The Yogi Bear Show / Hanna-Barbera Productions and co-producers, © Yogi Bear / Warner Bros. and co-producers

Casper, the friendly ghost

© Casper the Friendly Ghost / Paramount Pictures and co-producers, © Casper's Scare School / DQ Entertainment and co-producers

Tasmanian Devil

© Devil May Hare / Warner Bros., © Looney Tunes Cartoons / Warner Bros. Animation and co-producers

Tom and Jerry

© Puss Gets the Boot / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), © Tom & Jerry / Warner Animation Group and co-producers

Droopy

© Dumb-Hounded / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), © Thanks a Latte / Curious Pictures

Tweety

© A Tale of Two Kitties / Leon Schlesinger Studios, © Looney Tunes Cartoons / Warner Bros. Animation and co-producers

Mickey Mouse

© The Barn Dance / Walt Disney Productions, © The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse / Disney Television Animation and co-producers

Pikachu

© Poketto monsutâ / GAME FREAK and co-producers, © Pokémon: Detective Pikachu / Warner Bros. and co-producers

Woody Woodpecker

© Knock Knock / Walter Lantz Productions, © Woody Woodpecker / Universal Animation Studios and co-producers

Homer Simpson

© The Simpsons in Good Night / Gracie Films, © The Simpsons / 20th Television Animation and co-producers

Bart, Maggie and Lisa Simpson

© Burp Contest / Gracie Films, © The Simpsons / 20th Television Animation and co-producers

Marge Simpson

© The Simpsons in Good Night / Gracie Films, © The Simpsons / 20th Television Animation and co-producers

Winnie the Pooh and Piglet

© Winnie the Pooh Discovers the Seasons / Walt Disney Productions, © Christopher Robin / Walt Disney Pictures and co-producers

Bonus story: what Shrek could have looked like

© DreamWorks Pictures, © Shrek Forever After / DreamWorks Pictures and co-producers

The production of the animated films about the green ogre living in the swamp started back in the mid-90s, with comedian Chris Farley as the voice of Shrek. But, unfortunately, in 1997, the actor passed away, and the film had to be completely restarted. This is when Mike Myers was cast as the new voice of the title character. As a result, it premiered in 2001, with the Shrek we all know today.

Recently, Reddit users got hold of some lost footage from 1996 and used it to make a short clip, in which we can see the main character looking very different.

Which cartoon characters do you prefer, the original, or the modern-day ones?

Preview photo credit DreamWorks Pictures, Shrek Forever After / DreamWorks Pictures and co-producers

Cheery/Films/How Popular Cartoon Characters Looked Like at the Start of Their “Career”

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