Tony the Tiger
| “ | They're GRRRRREAATT!!!
|
„ |
| ― Tony's Catchphrase |
Tony the Tiger is the iconic mascot for Kellogg's Frosted Flakes (also known as Frosties in many countries) and has represented the brand since his debut in 1951. Over the decades, Tony has evolved into a universally recognized figure, famous for his catchphrase "They’re Grrrrreat!" and his image as a strong, athletic character.
Biography[edit | edit source]
In 1951, Eugene Kolkey, an artist for Leo Burnett, originally sketched Tony the Tiger for a contest to find a new mascot for Kellogg's new breakfast cereal. Tony, named after ad man Raymond Anthony Wells, competed with other mascots such as Katy the Kangaroo, Elmo the Elephant, and Newt the Gnu. Tony quickly became the favorite, and by the end of the year, he was the sole mascot, with the other characters being dropped.
Tony was first voiced by Dallas McKennon, but soon after the initial advertisements, Thurl Ravenscroft took over and voiced Tony for the next five decades. Ravenscroft’s deep voice, along with the famous slogan created by copywriter John E. Matthews, became central to Tony’s character. Tony’s popularity soared, and in 1958, he began to appear on cereal boxes alongside characters from Hanna-Barbera, such as Huckleberry Hound and Snagglepuss.
In the 1970s, Tony was given more of a backstory, including an Italian-American nationality and an expanded family, with characters like Mama Tony, Mrs. Tony, and a daughter named Antoinette. Tony became a symbol of Italian-American pride, and in 1974, he was named "Tiger of the Year," coinciding with the Chinese Year of the Tiger. During this time, Tony even appeared on the covers of Italian GQ and Panorama magazines.
Tony’s son, Tony Jr., also became a mascot in the 1970s and was given his own cereal, Frosted Rice, in 1975. Although this cereal was short-lived, Tony Jr. made a comeback in the 2000s and temporarily replaced his father as the official mascot for Frosted Flakes.
Evolution[edit | edit source]
Tony the Tiger has undergone several design changes over the years. Initially depicted as a smaller, more whimsical character, he has since evolved into a sleek, muscular sports enthusiast who embodies health and athleticism. Tony frequently appears in commercials interacting with live-action athletes, showcasing his energy and encouraging active lifestyles.
Voice Changes[edit | edit source]
Tony the Tiger was voiced by Thurl Ravenscroft until his passing in 2005. Following his death, Lee Marshall took over the role until he passed away in 2014. In the UK, Tony is voiced by Tom Clarke-Hill, and in Canada, Tony Daniels lends his voice to the character.
Tony has remained an enduring and beloved figure in popular culture, appealing to both children and adults alike, with his image continuing to appear on cereal boxes and in advertisements worldwide.
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- Tony the Tiger was originally voiced by the late Thurl Ravenscroft, whose distinctive deep voice became synonymous with the character's famous "They’re Grrrrreat!" catchphrase. Ravenscroft was also known for several other notable roles. He played Captain in Disney's 101 Dalmatians, sang the iconic "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" song in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and voiced Kirby, the vacuum cleaner, in The Brave Little Toaster movies.
Commercials[edit | edit source]
