Buzz
My kids don’t watch nearly as much TV as I did when I was their age. I asked my daughter if she could think of any famous ducks, and the only one she mentioned was The Ugly Duckling! However, if you take a look at pop culture, you'll see a whole flock of well-known ducks who have left their mark.
Count Duckula
Count Duckula originally appeared as a villainous character on the British animated series Danger Mouse. In 1988, he got his own spin-off show, which was later broadcast in the US and many other countries. Some viewers even confused him with Daffy Duck. Count Duckula was a vegetarian vampire duck who had the ability to teleport anywhere in the world. The series ran until 1993.
You Bet Your Life Duck
You Bet Your Life was a game show hosted by Groucho Marx, airing on NBC from 1950 to 1960. Contestants who said the secret word, which the TV audience knew, would trigger a duck to drop from above, earning them $100. But why a duck? It was a nod to the famous line from the 1929 Marx Brothers film The Cocoanuts.
Groucho: And here’s the viaduct leading over to the mainland. Chico: Why a duck? Why not a chicken?
The Ugly Duckling
The main character in The Ugly Duckling wasn't even a duck! Written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1843, this story follows a baby bird who faces rejection because he doesn't resemble the other ducklings in his family. As he matures, he realizes he’s actually a beautiful swan. You can watch the Disney animated short from 1939 on video. The 1931 version strangely depicts the swan hatching from a chicken's nest.
AFLAC Duck
The AFLAC duck, voiced by Gilbert Gottfried, has been urging us to consider a particular insurance brand since 1999. He made it popular for toddlers to say "AFLAC" instead of the usual "quack" when asked what sound a duck makes. You can find a video gallery of his memorable commercials on the AFLAC website.
Ping
The Story About Ping is a delightful children's book written by Marjorie Flack and illustrated by Kurt Wiese in 1933. It follows the journey of a duck who lives on a boat on the Yangtze River in China. After being left behind, he must navigate his way home. It's a heartwarming tale for young children and early readers.
Rubber Duckie
On Sesame Street, Ernie, the beloved Muppet, has a deep affection for his Rubber Duckie. The iconic song was performed by Jim Henson in 1970 and became a hit, reaching number 16 on Billboard's pop charts in September of that same year.
Howard the Duck
The 1986 film Howard the Duck, produced by George Lucas, became such a colossal failure that its name became synonymous with a "bad movie." The humor fell flat, and the duck character was rendered just lifelike enough to make his romantic interactions with Lea Thompson disturbingly awkward.
Ferdinand
Ferdinand was the duck in the 1995 movie Babe. He spent his days concocting elaborate schemes to make himself indispensable, hoping the farm family would never consider eating him. He crowed like a rooster each morning, until Mrs. Hoggett decided to solve the problem with an alarm clock.
Donald Duck
The iconic Disney character Donald Duck first appeared in The Wise Little Hen in 1934. His unique voice, which sounds unmistakably like a duck but is almost impossible to understand, quickly became his signature. Donald is most famous for his explosive temper, which allows him to showcase his voice, even when he's not saying much at all. Dressed in a sailor suit, he famously avoids wearing pants, except when he's swimming. Donald's family includes his girlfriend Daisy, his three nephews (Hewey, Dewey, and Lewey), his wealthy uncle Scrooge McDuck, and many other Disney characters.
Daffy Duck
The Warner Brothers character Daffy Duck might be the most beloved duck of all. He made his first appearance in 1937 in the cartoon Porky's Duck Hunt. Voiced by the legendary Mel Blanc, Daffy was interpreted in slightly different ways by each animator who drew him. Whether manic or neurotic, intelligent or foolish, Daffy's relatable frustration with a world that seems to conspire against him has made him a fan favorite. Check out Daffy in action in the timeless Chuck Jones cartoon Duck Amuck.
This isn’t an exhaustive list. I could’ve added characters like Baby Huey, Disco Duck, and many more. Who’s your favorite duck?
