Looney Tunes started as a series of shorts from 1930-1969, before becoming so beloved that it garnered its own series of films and television specials. When Warner Bros. created Looney Tunes, they wanted to get in on the action of the Golden Age of Animation, not aware of how big the franchise would become, and that it would change television forever.
Looney Tunes is best known for its eclectic, and one-of-a-kind characters. To this day, many Looney Tunes characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Tweety Bird, are some of animation's most notable, and memorable characters of all time. While the franchise itself is called Looney Tunes, the series has garnered such critical acclaim, that people often refer to the characters as the Looney Tunes as well.
10 Gossamer
Gossamer was first featured in the 1946 short, Hair-Raising Hare, and has become a series regular since. One of Looney Tunes' monsters, Gossamer looks like a giant fuzzy heart, with big eyes, gym shoes, and claws. While initially created to be Dr. Lorre's henchman, fans fell in love with him, and he's become a series regular since.
Part of Gossamer's humor comes from the irony between his big, monstrous appearance paired with his childhood view of life. From being scared of his own reflection, to nearly falling asleep while getting his hair brushed, Gossamer reacts to the world around him as if it's the first time he's been in it.
9 Yosemite Sam
Yosemite Sam is one of Looney Tunes' most notable characters, as well as the franchise's honorary cowboy. Looney Tunes plays into the Western film trope with Yosemite Sam, leaning on his outfit, as well as his predisposition to pull out his guns on anyone who gets in his way.
With a strong accent, aggressive demeanor, and for kids, a foul mouth, all paired with Sam's tiny legs, and large mustache, his character provides a lot of physical, and spoken humor. Yosemite Sam has a rivalry with Bugs Bunny, but no matter how many times he tries defeating him, Bugs always get away.
8 Sylvester
Sylvester is a tuxedo cat, as well as one of Looney Tunes' earliest, and most iconic characters. Sylvester is stubborn, and prideful when it comes to trying to eat Tweety Bird, though when put in frightening situations, such as his episodes with Porky Pig, Sylvester turns into a scaredy cat.
One of Sylvester's funniest tropes is how he's often treated like a child who misbehaves, especially from Granny, his owner, when she catches him trying to eat Tweety. While it seems Sylvester can never quite win, his determination, catchphrases, and stubbornness always provide a laugh.
7 Wile E. Coyote
Wile E. Coyote, as his name implies, is a coyote that plays into the "cat-and-mouse-chase" stereotype through his desire to catch the Roadrunner. Given the Roadrunner's speed, Wile. E Coyote believes his best chance at catching him is through elaborate stunts, schemes, and TNTs. Without its humor, the Looney Tunes could be considered one of the most violent kids' cartoons.
Playing into animation's physical humor, Looney Tunes turns what initially appears as a frightening explosion, into a playful loss of fur, or a bump on the head. Despite his innumerable ideas, Wile E. Coyote's plans often fail, hurting him instead of who it's intended for. No matter what, Wile E. Coyote always manages to bring humor to the screen.
6 Porky Pig
Porky Pig was the very first Looney Tunes character ever created, and to this day has remained a fan-favorite. While Porky Pig is best known for being a side character, his personality always shines through when he's on-screen. He receives the honor of closing out each short with his line, "Th-Th-That's All Folks!" before other characters were granted the opportunity in recent years.
Despite his mild-manners, and shy demeanor, Porky enjoys the lavish things in life, including the spotlight. One of Looney Tunes' most logical thinkers, Porky often sits, and observes, stating his opinions out loud. In a way, Porky Pig feels like the judgmental family member everyone has, though their comments prove to be so spot on it's silly.
5 Marvin The Martian
Marvin the Martian is a staple of Looney Tunes, thanks to his unique character design, destructive tendencies, and his silent communication. While considered one of Bugs Bunny's enemies, fans don't see Marvin as bad, but rather as playful, and even goofy. Most of these viewpoints come from the fact that Marvin's ploys to destroy Bugs Bunny, and Earth stem from a trivial desire.
Some of those trivial desires include wanting to destroy Earth just to catch a better view of Venus, and getting revenge on the Tasmanian Devil for ruining his vacation. Being Marvin the Martian doesn't speak verbally, Looney Tunes places an emphasis on physical humor, which is why a villainous trope works so well.
4 Tasmanian Devil
The Tasmanian Devil, commonly known as "Taz," was designed based on the real life animal, though their only similar characteristic is an enormous appetite. Through spinning speedily in a tornado-like fashion, Taz cyclones through any objects in his way as part of a desire to devour, and destroy them.
Much of his humor comes from his ability to destroy everything while spinning, often leaving Taz-sized holes in his wake. More of Taz's humor comes from his responses being grunts, or growls, which fans struggle to understand, but fellow Looney Tunes characters do. While Taz is often described as ferocious, and ruthless, he's a sweetheart at his core.
3 Bugs Bunny
One of the Looney Tunes' original characters, Bugs Bunny has garnered an enormous reputation among fans, and is now the face of the Looney Tunes franchise. Bugs is best known for his playfulness, wit, charisma, and at times shrewd behavior. Being one of the most chaotic characters, as well as intelligent, and a trickster, Bugs is always able to get out of whatever situations he's thrown into.
From being hunted by Elmer Fudd, chased by Taz, or Marvin the Martian trying to destroy him, Bugs is able to outsmart, and even humiliate anyone who comes after him. Not to mention, his use of breaking the third and fourth wall brings fans in on the joke.
2 Elmer Fudd
Elmer Fudd is one of few humans in the Looney Tunes universe, as well as one of Bugs Bunny's biggest arch-nemeses. Being a hunter, his main goal is always to hunt, and kill Bugs. However, Elmer is clumsy, dopey, and unlucky, resulting in him being unable to ever catch Bugs, and usually injuring himself in the process.
Elmer's appearance, as well as his speaking style, have cemented him as one of the most lovable animated characters of all time. Fans all around the world have quoted him on more than one occasion, with his most famous phrase being "Be vewy, vewy quiet, I'm hunting wabbits." It takes a special character to make waves that big worldwide.
1 Daffy Duck
Being one of the Looney Tunes' most famous characters, Daffy Duck has been making fans laugh for decades. He even was granted the title of being one TV Guide's best cartoon characters, ranking at number fourteen. Daffy Duck has always been unrestrained, authentically himself, and even unhinged, giving fans something to remember.
Daffy Duck's talkative nature, and his desire to steal the spotlight from Bugs Bunny are meant to come off as conceded, yet leave fans rooting for him. While the Looney Tunes franchise have pitted Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny against each other, even becoming one of the best cartoon rivalries, his honesty about how everything goes right for Bugs, and not for him, is relatable, and quite hilarious.