Happy 85th Birthday, Bugs Bunny

Eighty-five years ago today, July 27, 1940, the non-iconic animated short A Wild Hare, directed by Tex Avery, was released by Warner Bros., in what is widely regarded as the debut of the fully realized Bugs Bunny.

In the short, Bug’s signature charm, streetwise confidence, and impeccable timing first came together to create the iconic archetype audiences still know and love today. It was also the first time the world heard Mel Blanc deliver the now-iconic line: “What’s up, doc?”

Although variations of the character had appeared in earlier Looney Tunes shorts, it was A Wild Hare that solidified Bugs’ design and voice. Animator Bob Givens finalized Bugs’ look, refining earlier designs, and Tex Avery’s direction injected a faster pace and more pointed humor than earlier cartoons, setting the tone for what would become the hallmark of the Looney Tunes franchise.

Over the following decades, Bugs Bunny became the face of Warner Bros.’s animation endeavors. Under the direction of filmmakers including Chuck Jones, Bob Clampett, Friz Freleng, and Robert McKimson, Bugs evolved into a figure of cool defiance and a marketing juggernaut. His appeal transcended generations, combining slapstick, satire, and a self-awareness that anticipated later trends in animation and comedy.