Top 10 Real-Life Inspirations Behind Iconic Animated Characters
Is there a person alive today that doesn’t know who Shrek is? Unless they live somewhere secluded and don’t speak a word of English, we really doubt it.
However, we bet you didn’t know that the inspiration for Shrek came form wrestling star Maurice Tillet.
Tillet is not the only one real-life inspiration for these famous animated characters. Do you know who inspired cartoon legends such as Tintin, Betty Boop and Snow White?
Well, here’s a list of the Top 10 real-life inspirations behind these iconic animated characters.
10.Aladdin and Tom Cruise
At first, Aladdin took inspiration from Michael J. Fox and his role in "Back to the Future," but then the Disney animators decided they needed someone slightly more mature and settled on the actor Tom Cruise. But the way Aladdin's loose pants move is a direct reference to MC Hammer!
9.The Genie from "Aladdin" and Robin Williams
Robin Williams gave his voice to the Genie from "Aladdin" and improvised much of the dialogue himself. Moreover, in the sequel, "Aladdin and the King of Thieves," the Genie even turns into Mrs. Doubtfire, one of Robin Williams' most famous characters.
8.Peter Pan and Bobby Driscoll
In 1950s, Bobby Driscoll was a promising child star whom people mainly loved thanks to his innocent, boyish charm. He starred in many of Disney's live-action motion pictures and received an Academy Juvenile Award for his outstanding performance. Driscoll both provided the voice of Peter Pan and acted as his animation model.
7.Tintin – Palle Huld
Another cartoon character that entered the hearts of children and grownups alike back in 1929, was a red-haired boy named Tintin and his white dog, Snowy. Georges Rémi, aka Hergé, (the creator of Tintin) was a Belgian artist during this time and got his inspiration from Palle Huld, a truly remarkable boy of only 15.
Huld had been the winner of a competition run by a Danish newspaper in 1928, where applicants were challenged to reenact Phileas Fogg’s journey from the 1873 novel “Around the World in 80 Days” by train and passenger liner.
6.The Joker – Conrad Veidt
The Joker is one of the most iconic figures in comic book and movie history, but where did he come from? He’s said to have been influenced by a movie character, Gwynplaine, from the late 1920’s.
The silent movie was called; The Man Who Laughed and was based on a book by the same name that centered around 1690. It’s about a nobleman who offended King James II and was sentenced to death by iron maiden whilst his son, Gwynplaine, suffered the sins of his father in the form of surgical disfigurement. Dr. Hardquannone, mutilates him by fixing a permanent smile on his face to “laugh at his fool of a father forever”.
The permanent grin was the first influence for The Joker and soon after, the playing card was added. Et voila – The Joker was born。
5.Ursula from "The Little Mermaid" and Drag Queen Divine
The sea witch Ursula from "The Little Mermaid" is visually based on the popular drag queen Divine. Divine herself, unfortunately, did not live long enough to see the character come to life onscreen-- she passed away during the production of the movie.
4.Popeye The Sailor – Frank “Rocky” Fiegel
Elzie Crisler Segar, the creator of Popeye, got his influence for the pipe-smoking spinach-chomping sailor man in the form of Frank “Rocky” Fiegel when he was just a boy. Frank Fiegel was a one-eyed sailor with incredible strength and a sturdy build, which earned him the nickname “Rocky”.
3.Ariel from "The Little Mermaid" and Alyssa Milano
Ariel's body type, features, and personality were loosely based on actress Alyssa Milano, who starred in the sitcom "Who's the Boss?" during the time "The Little Mermaid" was being created. However, Ariel's flowing red locks were modeled on astronaut Sally Ride's hair.
2.Betty Boop – Helen Kane
“Boop-oop-a-doop!” It was the catchphrase that started it all. Now, what if we told you that along with that catchphrase, Helen Kane’s looks and voice were “stolen” for a certain bobble-headed sex-kitten of the 1930’s? At least, that’s what she’d like you to believe.
Nobody knows what the real story was, because the internet is filled with he-said she-said accounts.
1.Snow White and Marge Champion
Marge Champion (formerly Marge Bell) was famous actress and dancer back in 1930s and 1940s. She modeled for Disney animators, and eventually become the inspiration for Snow White's features and movement.
During the animation process, the crew decided that Snow White should have a larger head than average and Champion had to wear a football helmet. Champion continued to serve as a model for Disney on later projects, including the Blue Fairy in Pinocchio and Maid Marion in Robin Hood.
