Cartoon characters you didn’t know were inspired by real people
<p>In animation, you often need larger-than-life personalities to help flesh out the two-dimensional images. But behind those incredible characters you think you’d only meet in a cartoon are living people who served as direct inspiration.</p>
<p><strong>1. Troy McClure – <em>The Simpsons</em></strong></p>
<p>Springfield’s very own celebrity heartthrob took his name and certain personality aspects from two Hollywood B movie actors – Troy Donahue and Doug McClure. The voice behind the man, Phil Hartman, was also responsible for some of Troy’s personality. According to Doug McClure’s daughter, her father knew that <em>The Simpsons</em> character was poking fun of him, and was amused by it. Apparently, McClure’s children would call him “Troy” behind his back.</p>
<p><strong>2. Rocko – <em>Rocko’s Modern Life</em></strong></p>
<p>This surreal Nickelodeon show from the 1990s stars a paranoid wallaby who moves to the big city. In his initial pitch, creator Joe Murray described Rocko as “a young anthropomorphic Woody Allen, who has just moved away from home to a surrealistic adult world.” Watching the show back, it’s not hard to see the similarities.</p>
<p><strong>3. Ursula –<em> The Little Mermaid</em></strong></p>
<p>One of Disney’s most beloved (and sassy) villains, Ursula the sea witch is loud, vain, and loves attention. When <em>The Little Mermaid</em>’s lyricist, Howard Ashman, was working with artists on Ursula’s design, he selected one that closely resembled the appearance of his acquaintance, the famous drag queen Divine. If you put pictures of the two side by side, the resemblance is uncanny.</p>
<p><strong>3. Popeye – <em>Popeye</em></strong></p>
<p>According to local folklore in the town of Chester, Illinois, Popeye is based on Frank “Rocky” Fiegel. This makes sense, considering <em>Popeye</em>’s creator, Elsie Crisler Segar grew up in Chester. Also lining up with the claim is that Rocky was apparently good with his fists, smoked a pipe, and only had one eye. Rumour has it that Segar began sending cheques to Rocky when <em>Popeye</em> became successful.</p>
<p><strong>4. Olive Oyl – <em>Popeye</em></strong></p>
<p>Popeye’s beloved, Olive Oyl is believed to have been based on creator Elsie Crisler Segar’s neighbour – Dora Paskel. Paskel was very tall, quite slim, and usually wore her dark hair in a bun.</p>
<p><strong>5. Edna Mode – <em>The Incredibles</em></strong></p>
<p>Stealing the show in Disney/Pixar’s superhero romp, <em>The Incredibles</em>, fashion designer Edna Mode is a one-of-a-kind genius with a fiery spirit, a distain for ordinary fashion (her true love is for designing superhero costumes), and a hatred for capes. Voiced by the film’s director, Brad Bird, Edna is believed to have been inspired by revered costume designer Edith Head. Head was nominated for an unbelievable 35 Oscars during her career, and won eight of them.</p>
<p>Who is your favourite cartoon character? Let us know in the comments!</p>
