As one of the most beloved characters in Looney Tunes history, Foghorn Leghorn holds a special place in the hearts of cartoon fans around the world. His larger-than-life persona and distinct Southern drawl have entertained audiences for over 70 years But behind the boastful bravado lies an intriguing question – what kind of chicken is Foghorn Leghorn actually modeled after?
In this article, we’ll explore the origins and design inspirations behind this legendary rooster to finally reveal his true chicken breed identity. Strap in for a whirlwind tour through cartoon history and chicken breed characteristics as we get to the bottom of this pressing poultry mystery!
Tracing the Genesis of Foghorn’s Character
Foghorn Leghorn made his debut in 1946 in the Henery Hawk short “Walky Talky Hawky.” He was created by animator Robert McKimson as part of the Looney Tunes cast. But McKimson didn’t just pull Foghorn’s characteristics out of thin air. There were specific inspirations that shaped his development as a character.
The Vocal Inspiration
That distinctive voice and overflowing bravado didn’t come from nowhere. Foghorn’s speech patterns were actually modeled after a radio character named Senator Claghorn, voiced by comedian Kenny Delmar. He spoke with a boisterous Southern accent and frequently used phrases like “That’s a joke, son!” – sound familiar? This defined the voice and persona that gave rise to good ol’ Foghorn.
The Visual Inspiration
In addition to the voice, Foghorn needed a defined visual design. His creators opted to model him after a real-life chicken breed rather than inventing a wacky cartoonish species from scratch. But what breed fit the bill? Let’s break down the clues.
The Case for the Plymouth Rock Breed
Though his name might suggest otherwise, a multitude of evidence points to Foghorn Leghorn being modeled after a Plymouth Rock chicken. This American breed was likely chosen due to its iconic characteristics and suitability as a cartoon subject. Let’s analyze how the Plymouth Rock stacks up against Foghorn’s attributes:
The Size
Plymouth Rock chickens are large, sturdy birds – fitting for Foghorn’s imposing stature. He’s got some heft to throw around, which matches the breed’s substantial build better than smaller options like the Leghorn.
The Coloring
The white variety of the Plymouth Rock sports all-white plumage, just like Foghorn. This monochrome look reads well on screen and gives him visual pop.
The Comb and Wattles
Plymouth Rocks have a single, bright red comb and wattles – check and check for Foghorn. This is a spot-on match.
The Confident Demeanor
While Foghorn cranks it up to 11, Plymouth Rocks do have an inherent sense of confidence about them. This suits our boastful buddy well.
The American Origins
As an American breed, the Plymouth Rock fits seamlessly with Foghorn’s southern heritage and mannerisms.
With this preponderance of evidence, it’s clear that the Plymouth Rock was the prime candidate for designing this now-classic rooster. The white variety in particular provided bold, easily readable plumage along with the distinctive comb and wattles. This brilliant breed choice gave Foghorn his iconic look that still resonates with audiences today.
Addressing Common Questions About Foghorn’s Breed
Let’s explore some frequent questions that come up regarding Foghorn Leghorn’s chicken breed origins and characteristics.
Why not a Leghorn chicken?
It’s true that his name is somewhat misleading. But Leghorn chickens are actually quite different from Foghorn in appearance. They tend to be smaller, have different combs, and lack the Plymouth Rock’s hearty build. So while the name “Leghorn” adds humor through irony, the Plymouth Rock was truly the best visual match.
What about other big white breeds like the Delaware?
Some other white chicken breeds share superficial similarities with Foghorn. But minor details like comb structure and body shape still make the Plymouth Rock the closest aligning choice. The Plymouth has the right balance of size, coloring, and aesthetic features.
How did his design evolve over the years?
Interestingly, Foghorn’s core look stayed remarkably consistent throughout his long career. Tweaks may have been made, but those defining traits like his white plumage, booming voice, and red comb/wattles went unchanged. This design consistency only further cemented his iconic status.
Does his personality match the Plymouth Rock breed?
Here’s where some artistic license comes into play. Plymouth Rocks do tend to be calm and docile – a far cry from Foghorn’s brashness! But they do possess an underlying confidence that shines through in an exaggerated way in Foghorn’s characterization. So while his cartoon personality is an amplification, you can see glimmers of the real breed peeking through.
Why does his breed choice matter?
In the end, the decision to model Foghorn after a Plymouth Rock gave him an instant familiarity that helped him stand the test of time. Basing his design in reality provided a bedrock foundation upon which his wacky characterization could build. The Plymouth Rock’s ideal set of traits made it the perfect choice to yield an iconic, original, and endlessly entertaining character.
Foghorn Leghorn’s Legacy Lives On
The unique combination of vocal and visual inspirations gave rise to one of the most beloved and recognizable cartoon characters around. Foghorn Leghorn’s enduring popularity across multiple generations shows how impactful this breed-based design choice was. Whenever this larger-than-life rooster steps onto the screen, boasting his “I say” and “That’s a joke, son!” catchphrases in that trademark southern drawl, people can’t help but crack a smile.
So while few may have paused to ponder the hidden breed behind the bombastic bird, the Plymouth Rock played an integral role in crafting comedic magic. Foghorn Leghorn stands tall as a testament to the power of fusing real-world inspirations with imaginative characterization. So now that the fog has lifted on this poultry puzzle, let’s give thanks to the humble Plymouth Rock chicken for helping create an undeniable cartoon icon. I say, I say, this calls for a rousing chorus of “Camptown Races,” don’t you think?
Origin[]
Foghorn was directly inspired by the popular character Senator Claghorn, a blustery Southern politician played by Kenny Delmar who was a regular character in The Fred Allen Show, a popular radio show of the 1940s. The rooster adopted many of Claghorns catchphrases, such as “Thats a joke, ah say, thats a joke, son.” Delmar had based the character of Claghorn upon a Texas rancher who was fond of saying this.[1]
A leghorn is a breed of chicken, and foghorn describes the characters loud, overbearing voice. At its most raucous, it sounds similar to that of another Blanc voice, Yosemite Sam. According to Leonard Maltin, the characters voice was also patterned after a hard-of-hearing West Coast-only radio character from the 1930s, known simply as The Sheriff, in a radio program called Blue Monday Jamboree.[2]
Foghorn debuted 31 August 1946 in the Henery Hawk short Walky Talky Hawky.
Filmography[]
- “Walky Talky Hawky” (1946)
- “Crowing Pains” (1947)
- “The Foghorn Leghorn” (1948)
- “Henhouse Henery” (1949)
- “The Leghorn Blows at Midnight” (1950)
- “A Fractured Leghorn” (1950)
- “Leghorn Swoggled” (1951)
- “Lovelorn Leghorn” (1951)
- “Sock a Doodle Do” (1952)
- “The EGGcited Rooster” (1952)
- “Plop Goes the Weasel!” (1953)
- “Of Rice and Hen” (1953)
- “Little Boy Boo” (1954)
- “Feather Dusted” (1955)
- “All Fowled Up” (1955)
- “Weasel Stop” (1956)
- “The High and the Flighty” (1956)
- “Raw! Raw! Rooster!” (1956)
- “Fox Terror” (1957)
- “Feather Bluster” (1958)
- “Weasel While You Work” (1958)
- “A Broken Leghorn” (1959)
- “Crockett-Doodle-Do” (1960)
- “The Dixie Fryer” (1960)
- “Strangled Eggs” (1961)
- “The Slick Chick” (1962)
- “Mother Was a Rooster” (1962)
- “Banty Raids” (1963)
- “False Hare” (1964) (cameo)
- “The Yolks on You” (part of Daffy Ducks Easter Egg-citement) (1980)
- “Superior Duck” (1996), voiced by Frank Gorshin
- “Pullet Surprise” (1997), voiced by Frank Gorshin
- “Cock-a-Doodle Duel” (2004), voiced by Jeff Bennett