Henry the Octopus

Henry the Octopus is a cherished member of the Wiggly Friends from The Wiggles franchise, making his first appearance in 1992. He was introduced to audiences in his namesake song, "Henry the Octopus," from The Wiggles' Here Comes a Song album.

Character Traits:

• Personality: Known for his bubbly and cheerful disposition, Henry is always up for a laugh and enjoys sharing jokes with his friends.
• Dancing: With his eight legs, Henry is an enthusiastic dancer, often seen spinning around and moving in his unique octopus style.
• Singing: Henry loves to sing and is often featured in various musical numbers, adding to the fun and rhythm of The Wiggles' performances.

Naming Origin:

• Anthony's Insight: According to Anthony Field, one of the original members of The Wiggles, Henry was named after Tony Henry, the drummer for The Cockroaches, a band that predates The Wiggles and included several of its founding members.

Costume Design:

• Visibility: The performer inside Henry's costume can see through the mouth and the eyes, allowing them to navigate and interact while in character.
• Breathing Space: The costume is designed with a vent on top of Henry's hat, providing the performer with much-needed ventilation and comfort during performances.

Additional Notes:

• Cultural Impact: Since his debut, Henry has become a staple of The Wiggles' shows, beloved by children for his vibrant personality and engaging antics.
• Versatility: Over the years, Henry has participated in various Wiggles concerts, videos, and TV shows, showcasing his talents and becoming a key figure in the Wiggly universe.
• Appearance:
  • Skin: Henry has vibrant purple skin, making him stand out in any crowd.
  • Outfit: He is a snappy dresser, always seen in his signature tartan ensemble. His outfit includes a bow tie, shiny black shoes, and a stylish boater hat, adding to his charming and sophisticated look.

Personality and Interests

• Personality: Henry is known for his bubbly and joyful demeanor. He loves a good joke and enjoys making others laugh.
  • Leadership: As the leader of the underwater Big Band, Henry showcases his musical talents, often seen conducting or performing with his band.
  • Singing and Dancing: Henry has a passion for music and dance. He loves to sing and frequently joins The Wiggles in their performances. When he dances, he is famous for twirling around and around with his eight legs, bringing a unique flair to his movements. Role in The Wiggles:
  • Performances: Henry frequently appears in The Wiggles' concerts, videos, and TV shows, engaging audiences with his lively personality and energetic performances.
  • Interaction with The Wiggles: He is a close friend of The Wiggles and often participates in their adventures, contributing his musical expertise and enthusiasm to their shows.

Henry the Octopus continues to be a delightful character, bringing joy and entertainment to audiences worldwide with his charm, humor, and infectious energy.

Trivia

• Henry was created by Jeff.
• Anthony provided Henry's voice when he first made his debut. After that Jeff took over the role, before other actors began wearing the suit in concerts and videos. Jeff would remain his voice actor until Paul Paddick began to occasionally voice him in the mid-late 2000s, who mostly took over the role after that. Lachlan Gillespie even voiced Henry for a while in 2017, with Jeff returning to voice him on rare occasions in subsequent years.
• Henry is not seen in The Wiggles Go Bananas! and Nursery Rhymes 2.
• Henry's design ironically is accurate since scientists have debated that two of the octopus' limbs should be considered legs. On occasion, octopuses can walk or stand on two of their limbs on the sea floor.
• Xuxa's character "Teddy, o Polvo" is based off Henry The Octopus.