Looney Tuesdays | Daffy Duck

Daffy Duck's classic look with his black feathers and orange beak
First Appearance
April 17, 1937 ('Porky's Duck Hunt')
Creator
Tex Avery and Bob Clampett
Series
Looney Tunes / Merrie Melodies
Copyright
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Species
Duck (American Black Duck)
Gender
Male
Age
Ageless
Birthday
April 17
Occupation
Actor, Schemer, Occasional 'Hero' (e.g., Duck Dodgers)
Height
Average cartoon duck size
Body Type
Gangly, thin duck build
Color Scheme
Black feathers, white neck ring, orange beak and feet.
Outfit
Usually none (natural feathers).
Catchphrase
'Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo!' (early version)'You're despicable!''It's mine! All mine!'
Accessories
None standard, but often desires riches or props related to his schemes.
Daffy Duck debuted in Tex Avery's 1937 short 'Porky's Duck Hunt' as a new kind of cartoon character: assertive, unrestrained, and completely 'daffy'. He was one of the first 'screwball' characters in animation.
First appears as a zany, unnamed duck in 'Porky's Duck Hunt'.
Chuck Jones' 'Rabbit Fire' establishes the classic Daffy vs. Bugs dynamic and the 'Duck Season/Rabbit Season' gag.
Stars in the critically acclaimed, surreal short 'Duck Amuck' where an unseen animator (revealed as Bugs) torments him.
Daffy Duck is one of the most recognizable cartoon characters in history. His distinct lisp, explosive personality, and catchphrases like 'You're despicable!' are iconic. He represents both the anarchic energy of early cartoons and the relatable frustrations of ego and jealousy.
His character evolution reflects changes in animation styles and humor over decades. The Daffy/Bugs rivalry is a classic comedic dynamic.
Daffy's character underwent a major shift. Initially, he was a pure 'screwball' – hyperactive, unpredictable, and joyous in his chaos. Later, especially in cartoons pairing him with Bugs Bunny, he became defined by his greed, ego, cowardice, and intense jealousy, constantly scheming to steal the spotlight, only to fail spectacularly.
Daffy's prominent lisp, often accompanied by sputtering saliva when angry or excited, is a key part of his character. Voiced originally by the legendary Mel Blanc, the lisp makes his frequent frustrated outbursts ('You're despicable!') even funnier.
Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo! It's none other than Daffy Duck, the original Looney Tunes screwball turned greedy, sputtering rival! Debuting in 1937, this black-feathered duck with the unmistakable lisp has been bouncing off walls and arguing with rabbits for generations.
Daffy is a duck of two minds! In his early days, he was pure chaotic energy, zipping around with joyous abandon. Later, he became the Daffy many know best: consumed by ego, greed, and jealousy, especially towards that "long-eared galoot," Bugs Bunny. This Daffy is quick-tempered, cowardly when cornered, and his elaborate schemes inevitably blow up in his face, often leading to his signature enraged cry: "You're despicable!"
Daffy has starred in countless classic shorts. Memorable early appearances showcase his manic energy. Later classics often pit him against Bugs Bunny in the famous "Rabbit Season/Duck Season" debates, or cast him in hilarious parodies like the space hero Duck Dodgers or the swashbuckling Scarlet Pumpernickel. His dynamic with the stoic Porky Pig is also legendary.
From his wild "Woo-hoo!" to his frustrated "You're despicable!", Daffy Duck is an animation icon. He represents both the untamed energy of early cartoons and the relatable flaws of ego and frustration. His rivalry with Bugs Bunny is one of the most famous pairings in comedy history, securing Daffy's place as a cornerstone of the Looney Tunes legacy.