Wile E. Coyote Basic Information
Wile E. Coyote, ever persistent, contemplating his next (likely ill-fated) plan.
Wile E. Coyote
💭Cartoon Chat with Wile E. CoyoteCreation Info
First Appearance
September 17, 1949 (in 'Fast and Furry-ous' with Road Runner). His first comic appearance was May 1949 as Kelsey Coyote. His first speaking role targeting Bugs Bunny was 'Operation: Rabbit' (1952).
Creator
Chuck Jones (Director/Animator) and Michael Maltese (Writer)
Series
Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies, The Road Runner Show
Copyright
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Identity
Species
Coyote (Canis latrans, highly stylized)
Gender
Male
Age
Adult coyote
Birthday
Unknown (debut September 17)
Occupation
Predator, Inventor, Super Genius (self-proclaimed)
Wile E. Coyote's Appearance
Physical Features
Height
Tall and lanky
Body Type
Thin, often appears emaciated
Color Scheme
Brown or reddish-brown fur, with a lighter underbelly. Prominent snout and ears.
Signature Style
Outfit
Generally wears no clothing, just his fur.
Catchphrase
(Usually silent in Road Runner shorts, communicates with signs). When speaking (e.g. to Bugs Bunny): "Wile E. Coyote, Super Genius.", "Allow me to introduce myself.", various eloquent pronouncements of his intellect.
Accessories
Often seen with various (malfunctioning) Acme Corporation gadgets.
Character Background
Origin Story
Wile E. Coyote was created by director Chuck Jones and writer Michael Maltese for Warner Bros. Looney Tunes. He first appeared alongside the Road Runner in the 1949 short 'Fast and Furry-ous.' Jones based the Coyote on Mark Twain's description of a coyote in 'Roughing It' as a 'long, slim, sick and sorry-looking skeleton' and a 'living, breathing allegory of Want.' The character's full name is sometimes given as Wile Ethelbert Coyote. His relationship with the Acme Corporation, the purveyor of his endlessly faulty gadgets, is a hallmark of his cartoons.
Character Timeline
Debut with Road Runner
First appeared in 'Fast and Furry-ous,' establishing his perpetual chase.
First Speaking Role
Spoke for the first time in 'Operation: Rabbit,' where he targeted Bugs Bunny and introduced himself as a 'Super Genius.'
Countless Acme Product Failures
A consistent theme across his shorts is the catastrophic failure of mail-ordered gadgets from the Acme Corporation.
Wile E. Coyote's Personality
Personality Traits
- Extremely persistent and obsessive in his goals (primarily catching the Road Runner).
- Considers himself a 'Super Genius' and is highly intelligent, though his plans are overly complex and prone to spectacular failure.
- Remarkably resilient, surviving countless explosions, falls, and other calamities.
- Prone to frustration and moments of quiet despair when his plans backfire.
- Methodical and meticulous in planning, often consulting blueprints or manuals.
- Often victimized by his own inventions or the unreliable products from Acme Corporation.
- Usually silent in pursuit of the Road Runner, communicating through expressive pantomime and signs.
- Eloquent and articulate (with a sophisticated, almost cultured accent) when he does speak, typically in shorts where he targets Bugs Bunny.
- Fanatical in his efforts, often redoubling them even when his aim is forgotten.
Strengths
- High intelligence and inventive capabilities (though often misapplied).
- Unmatched persistence and determination.
- Incredible resilience to physical harm.
- Masterful painter (e.g., creating realistic fake tunnels).
Weaknesses
- Chronic bad luck; if something can go wrong, it will, usually in the most painful way for him.
- Overconfidence in his own genius and his Acme gadgets.
- Inability to foresee the obvious flaws or backfiring potential of his plans.
- Often outsmarted by the Road Runner's simplicity and speed, or Bugs Bunny's cunning.
- His fanaticism often blinds him to simpler solutions or the pointlessness of his pursuit.
Goals
- To catch and eat the Road Runner (primary and all-consuming goal).
- To prove his genius by successfully executing a plan.
- To catch Bugs Bunny (in some shorts).
Fears
- The inevitable failure of his plans and the resulting pain.
- Looking foolish (though it happens constantly).
Wile E. Coyote's Gallery
Wile E. Coyote's Abilities
Special Powers
- Extraordinary resilience to physical damage (explosions, falls from great heights, being crushed, etc.).
- High level of intelligence, particularly in inventing and engineering complex contraptions (though they rarely work as intended for him).
Skills
- Planning and designing intricate traps.
- Painting realistic illusions (e.g., fake tunnels, roads).
- Operating a wide variety of complex (though faulty) machinery.
- Eloquent speech (when he talks).
Awards & Recognition
- While Wile E. Coyote himself wasn't always the direct recipient of awards, the shorts he starred in (especially with Road Runner) were often critically acclaimed and contributed to Warner Bros.' numerous animation awards. His character is an integral part of this legacy.
Cultural Influence
Pop Culture Impact
Wile E. Coyote is an icon of perseverance against impossible odds and the embodiment of comedic failure. His 'Super Genius' persona, contrasted with his constant, painful defeats, is a beloved trope. The Acme Corporation has become a cultural shorthand for unreliable or comically over-engineered products. His silent pantomime in the Road Runner shorts is a masterclass in visual comedy.
Social Impact
Wile E. Coyote often elicits sympathy from audiences despite being the 'villain.' His struggles and failures are relatable, highlighting themes of obsession, the folly of over-thinking, and the humor found in life's (often self-inflicted) disasters. He represents the idea that even genius cannot always overcome bad luck or a flawed premise.