50 Most Famous Cartoon Characters & Mascots

Could you name fifty famous cartoon characters off the top of your head? I didn’t think I could … until I got started. I’d wager if you are over 30 years old, you would recognize and know every single one of these characters. For real, every single one. In writing this post I came to realize the sheer volume of cartoon characters that have permanently infiltrated my brain. A famous cartoon character or mascot design seems to have one thing in common: they are incredibly sticky. Like it or not, they invade your head space, and never leave.

If you are like me, some of these characters you grew up with as a kid, others you will have gotten to know and love as an adult. The one’s that made it on this list did so because of their enduring greatness to last beyond mere fad and pull up a permanent place both in popular culture and in our minds. In no particular order, let’s get this started! And naturally, all characters are copyright of their respective owners. Don’t steal them m’kay?

1. Mickey Mouse

   
   Joyful, vulnerable, lovable. Mickey came into our hearts and minds decades ago and still reigns supreme. He’s like the Jesus of cartoon characters.

2. Eric Theodore Cartman

   

   Eric showed up in the 90’s and will forever leave us laughing … and emotionally scarred.

3. Homer Simpson

   
   Homer made us all feel A-OK about being overweight, gluttonous and idiotic. Thanks buddy.

4. Popeye

   

   Popeye showed us that all you need is a heart of gold and you’ll be just fine. A pair of killer pipes don’t hurt either.

1. Joe Camel

   

   Hey smoking is cool! Right? Er … well, it used to be. Thanks Joe.

ART FROM YOUR DNA

1. Garfield

   

   Mischievous, scheming and adorable. Garfield has had us grinning for years and years.

2. Charlie Brown

   

   Yet another vulnerable and lovable icon. Charlie made being neurotic totally cool.

3. Alvin

   

   Furry, friendly and gifted at turning a catchy tune.

4. Tweety Bird

   

   Feathery, friendly and gifted at the art of escape!

5. Tom & Jerry

   

   Polar opposites providing some great laughs during their constant fighting.

6. Toucan Sam

   

   One of the original cereal icons, Toucan Sam has gone on to grace much more than a cereal box.

7. Archie

   

   You can’t stand in a supermarket checkout line without seeing Archie getting into trouble with the girls.

8. Fat Albert

   

   In 1967, Bill Cosby introduced us to Fat Albert and his friends. They’ve been making us laugh ever since.

9. Linus van Pelt

   

   Brother of Lucy. Friend and unusually smart sidekick to Charlie Brown. Linus showed us we all need our comfort “thing” in some way, shape or form.

10. Bart Simpson

    

    Enough said.

11. 
    

    ART FROM YOUR DNA

     

    Mighty Mouse

    

    Rocked up in the 1940’s and was one of the original cartoon super stars. Mighty made many things possible for many characters who followed in his footsteps.

12. Lucy van Pelt

    

    Bossy, crabby and bad tempered. For all her bad vibes, Lucy had a romantic side that would emerge regarding a certain boy called Schroeder.

13. Capt’n Crunch

    

    Introduced in 1963, the Captain has thrived for decades amidst growing competition for our cereal dollars.