Woody Woodpecker

Woody Woodpecker is an animated cartoon character, an anthropomorphic acorn woodpecker who appeared in theatrical short films produced by the Walter Lantz animation studio and distributed by Universal Pictures. Though not the first of the screwball characters that became popular in the 1940s, Woody is perhaps the most indicative of the type. Woody Woodpecker was created in 1940 by Lantz and storyboard artist Ben “Bugs” Hardaway, who had previously laid the groundwork for two other screwball characters, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. Woody’s character and design evolved over the years, from an insane bird with an unusually garish design to a more refined- looking and acting character. Woody was originally voiced by prolific voice actor Mel Blanc, who was succeeded in the shorts by Danny Webb, Kent Rogers, Dick Nelson, Ben Hardaway, and, finally, Grace Stafford. Woody Woodpecker cartoons were first broadcast on television in 1957 under the title The Woody Woodpecker Show. The plucky, self-confident woodpecker with a staccato laugh became a popular culture icon, painted on the nose of combat aircraft during World War II, appearing in other forms of media, serving as mascot for Universal Studios, and depicted on a wide range of retail merchandise and toys.