Rudolph

Rudolph is the titular character of the story Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the famous song spun off from it. He is Santa's ninth and lead reindeer, who possesses an unusually red-colored nose that gives off its own light (bioluminescence), powerful enough to illuminate through inclement winter weather. Although he is initially teased and called names by his peers because of his nose, he becomes a hero when, on a particularly murky Christmas Eve, he is recruited by Santa to lead his reindeer team and guide his sleigh in the sky through the bad weather to complete his annual journey.

Rudolph's story, which is told as a poem in the meter of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, was written by Robert L. May in 1939 as part of his employment with Montgomery Ward. It is owned by The Rudolph Company, L.P. and has been sold in numerous forms, most notably the song, written by Johnny Marks. Although the story and the song are not public domain, Rudolph himself has become a figure of Christmas folklore.

Portrayals

Picture	Performer	Feature	Year	Notes
		Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer	1948	Rudolph is a normal reindeer who is teased and taunted by the other young reindeer because of his shiny red nose by saying; "His nose is a sight, it's red as a beet. Twice as big and twice as bright". Though he doesn't show it outside, when he goes to sleep, he is shown to be emotionally hurt by those words as he sadly cries as he is sleeping. When Santa arrives in his room, Rudolph attempts to hide his nose from him, only to learn that Santa wants him to use his nose to help guide him through the treacherous fog. Because of this, he is declared a hero and becomes a part of Santa's team.
	Billie Mae Richards (1964-1979); Kathleen Barr (2001)	Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer	1964	Main article: Rudolph (Rankin/Bass character) In the famous stop-motion special, Rudolph is the son of Santa's lead reindeer, Donner. This version has since become the most famous depiction of the character and later starred in Rudolph's Shiny New Year, Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July, and Rudolph and the Island of Misfit Toys, and also had cameos in Santa Claus is Comin' to Town and Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey.
		Christmas Comes to PacLand	1982	Rudolph is among Santa's reindeer when they crash in Pac-Land, leaving him very weakened and in need of energy. Pac-Man and his friends are able to take Rudolph and the other reindeer to the Power Pellet Forest, where upon eating the Power Pellets, Rudolph is re-powered so strongly, Santa is impressed by how brightly his nose is glowing now from the Power Pellets' energy boost, and it allows them to complete their journey and make up for lost time, even stopping back in Pac-Land to leave gifts for everyone there.
		We Wish You a Merry Christmas	1992
		A Pinky and the Brain Christmas	1995
	Charlie Adler	Earthworm Jim: "For Whom the Jingle Bell Tolls"	1996	Earthworm Jim, Peter Puppy, and Princess What's-Her-Name encounter Rudolph at the Personifications of Abstract Concepts Club. He resents the lack of respect that Santa gave him and believes that Santa deserved to get kidnapped.
	Jeff Bennett	Johnny Bravo: "Twas the Night"	1997	When Johnny Bravo wonders why Rudolph is not pulling Santa's sleigh, it is shown that he is busy battling the Grinch's henchmen.
	Cassandra Halloran	Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas	1997	This young supermodel is dressed as Rudolph and appears during the songs "Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas", "Go Santa Go", and "Jeff's Christmas Tune".
	Eric Pospisil (child); Kathleen Barr (teenager); Michael Lloyd (singing)	Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie	1998	Unlike the Rankin/Bass version, Rudolph is the son of Blitzen in this film.
		Robbie the Reindeer: Hooves of Fire	1999	Despite not being mentioned by name, it is revealed that Rudolph is the father of the main character Robbie. He also appears in a painting in the reindeer's log cabin. The painting also makes a cameo appearance in Hooves of Fire's 2002 sequel Legend of the Lost Tribe.
		Futurama: "A Tale of Two Santas"	1999	A robotic Rudolph with a explosive nose.
		Brandy and Mr. Whiskers: "On Whiskers, On Lola, On Cheryl and Meryl"	2004
		Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen	2006	In this special, Rudolph is the older brother of Rusty. Though not mentioned by name, Rudolph is heard offscreen talking to his father Roger. Later in the film, a poster of Rudolph and the sleigh team is seen on a billboard. A cutout and toys of Rudolph are seen in a Walmart store Rusty goes into. Oddly, the cutout and toys depict Rudolph with a black nose, perhaps hinting that his nose only turns red when it glows.
	Grey DeLisle	T.U.F.F. Puppy: "A Doomed Christmas"	2011
		Regular Show: "The Christmas Special"	2012
		Doctor Who: "Last Christmas"	2014	Rudolph, along with Donner and Blitzen, appears in this special. It has been shown that Santa can park him like a car.