Woody Woodpecker

…inspiration for the cartoon character Woody Woodpecker. In fact, however, American animator Walter Lantz based the character on an acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) that had called and drummed on a cabin he and his wife stayed in on their honeymoon. Yet, the character he came up with more closely resembles…

His most famous creation was Woody Woodpecker, who first appeared in a bit part in the cartoon short Knock, Knock (1940) and who became the star of a long-running series of cartoons the following year. Lantz’s wife, Gracie, provided Woody’s voice, and renowned voice artist Mel Blanc originated Woody’s familiar…