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'''Rudolph''' is the titular character of the story ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer]]'' and [[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (song)|the famous song]] spun off from it. He is [[Santa Claus|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''' is a character created for the story ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer]]''. The story was written by [[Wikipedia:Robert L. May|Robert L. May]] in 1939 as part of his employment with [[Wikipedia:Montgomery Ward|Montgomery Ward]]; it is owned by The Rudolph Company, L.P. and has been sold in numerous forms, most notably [[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (song)|a song]] written by {{w|Johnny Marks}}. Although the story and the song are not public domain, Rudolph himself has become a figure of Christmas folklore.
 
  +
 
Rudolph's story, which is told as a poem in the meter of ''[[A Visit from St. Nicholas|'Twas the Night Before Christmas]]'', was written by {{w|Robert L. May}} in 1939 as part of his employment with {{w|Montgomery Ward}}. It is owned by The Rudolph Company, L.P. and has been sold in numerous forms, most notably the song, written by {{w|Johnny Marks}}. Although the story and the song are not public domain, Rudolph himself has become a figure of Christmas folklore.
   
 
==Portrayals==
 
==Portrayals==
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! class="unsortable" | Notes
 
! class="unsortable" | Notes
 
|-id="fleischer"
 
|-id="fleischer"
| [[File:Image1944.jpg|center|150px]]
+
| [[File:Image1944.jpg|center|200px]]
|
+
|
 
| {{c}} ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Fleischer)|Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer]]''
 
| {{c}} ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Fleischer)|Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer]]''
| {{c}} 1944
+
| {{c}} 1948
| Rudolph is a normal reindeer who is teased and taunted by his peers because of his shiny red nose. Though he doesn't show it outside, when he goes to sleep, he is shown to be emotionally hurt by those words. 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.
+
| 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.
 
|-id="rankinbass"
 
|-id="rankinbass"
| [[File:Rudolph.jpg|center|150px]]
+
| [[File:Rudolph.jpg|center|200px]]
 
| {{c}} {{w|Billie Mae Richards}} <small>(1964-1979)</small>; {{w|Kathleen Barr}} <small>(2001)</small>
 
| {{c}} {{w|Billie Mae Richards}} <small>(1964-1979)</small>; {{w|Kathleen Barr}} <small>(2001)</small>
 
| {{c}} ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Rankin/Bass)|Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer]]''
 
| {{c}} ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Rankin/Bass)|Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer]]''
 
| {{c}} 1964
 
| {{c}} 1964
| {{main|Rudolph (Rankin/Bass character)}}
+
| {{main|Rudolph (Rankin/Bass character)}}<!--Do NOT remove the paragraph separation here; doing so messes up the formatting.-->
 
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]]''.
 
This version also starred in ''[[Rudolph's Shiny New Year]]'', ''[[Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July]]'', and ''[[Rudolph and the Island of Misfit Toys]]'', and had cameos in ''[[Santa Claus is Comin' to Town]]'' and ''[[Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey]]''.
 
 
|-id="pacman"
 
|-id="pacman"
| [[File:Rudolph-Pacman.jpg|center|150px]]
+
| [[File:Rudolph-Pacman.jpg|center|200px]]
 
|
 
|
 
| {{c}} ''[[Christmas Comes to PacLand]]''
 
| {{c}} ''[[Christmas Comes to PacLand]]''
 
| {{c}} 1982
 
| {{c}} 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.
|
 
 
|-id="kidsongs"
 
|-id="kidsongs"
| [[File:Rudolph-WeWishYouaMerryChristmas.jpg|center|150px]]
+
| [[File:Rudolph-WeWishYouaMerryChristmas.jpg|center|200px]]
 
|
 
|
 
| {{c}} ''[[We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Kidsongs)|We Wish You a Merry Christmas]]''
 
| {{c}} ''[[We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Kidsongs)|We Wish You a Merry Christmas]]''
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|
 
|
 
|-id="patb"
 
|-id="patb"
| [[File:Rudolph_in_PATB.jpg|center|150px]]
+
| [[File:Rudolph_in_PATB.jpg|center|200px]]
 
|
 
|
 
| {{c}} ''[[A Pinky and the Brain Christmas]]''
 
| {{c}} ''[[A Pinky and the Brain Christmas]]''
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|
 
|
 
|-id="earthwormjim"
 
|-id="earthwormjim"
| [[File:Rudolph-EWJ.jpg|center|150px]]
+
| [[File:Rudolph-EWJ.jpg|center|200px]]
| {{c}} {{w|Charlie Adler}}
+
| {{c}} [[Charlie Adler]]
 
| {{c}} ''Earthworm Jim'': "[[For Whom the Jingle Bell Tolls (Earthworm Jim)|For Whom the Jingle Bell Tolls]]"
 
| {{c}} ''Earthworm Jim'': "[[For Whom the Jingle Bell Tolls (Earthworm Jim)|For Whom the Jingle Bell Tolls]]"
 
| {{c}} 1996
 
| {{c}} 1996
| Resents the lack of respect that Santa gave him and believes that Santa deserved to get kidnapped.
+
| [[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.
 
|-id="johnnybravo"
 
|-id="johnnybravo"
| [[File:Rudolph-JohnnyBravo.jpg|center|150px]]
+
| [[File:Rudolph-JohnnyBravo.jpg|center|200px]]
  +
| {{c}} [[Jeff Bennett]]
|
 
 
| {{c}} ''Johnny Bravo'': "[[Twas the Night (Johnny Bravo)|Twas the Night]]"
 
| {{c}} ''Johnny Bravo'': "[[Twas the Night (Johnny Bravo)|Twas the Night]]"
 
| {{c}} 1997
 
| {{c}} 1997
|Is busy battling [[The Grinch]]'s henchmen.
+
| When [[Johnny Bravo]] wonders why Rudolph is not pulling Santa's sleigh, it is shown that he is busy battling [[the Grinch]]'s henchmen.
 
|-id="wigglywigglychristmas"
 
|-id="wigglywigglychristmas"
| [[File:Supermodel-Rudolph.png|center|150px]]
+
| [[File:Supermodel-Rudolph.png|center|200px]]
 
| {{c}} Cassandra Halloran
 
| {{c}} Cassandra Halloran
 
| {{c}} ''[[Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas]]''
 
| {{c}} ''[[Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas]]''
 
| {{c}} 1997
 
| {{c}} 1997
| This young supermodel is dressed up as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and appears during the songs "[[Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas (song)|Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas]]", "[[Go Santa Go]]", and "[[Jeff's Christmas Tune]]".
+
| This young supermodel is dressed as Rudolph and appears during the songs "[[Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas (song)|Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas]]", "[[Go Santa Go]]", and "[[Jeff's Christmas Tune]]".
 
|-id="rudolphmovie"
 
|-id="rudolphmovie"
| [[File:Rudolph-Movie.jpg|center|150px]]
+
| [[File:Rudolph-Movie.jpg|center|200px]]
| {{c}} Eric Pospisil (young Rudolph); {{w|Kathleen Barr}} (older Rudolph)
+
| {{c}} Eric Pospisil (child); [[Kathleen Barr]] (teenager); Michael Lloyd (singing)
 
| {{c}} ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie]]''
 
| {{c}} ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie]]''
 
| {{c}} 1998
 
| {{c}} 1998
 
| Unlike the Rankin/Bass version, Rudolph is the son of [[Blitzen]] in this film.
 
| Unlike the Rankin/Bass version, Rudolph is the son of [[Blitzen]] in this film.
  +
|-id="Robbiethereindeer"
|-
 
| [[File:Imagerp.jpg|center|150px]]
+
| [[File:Imagertrrp.jpg|center|200px]]
 
|
 
|
 
| {{c}} ''[[Robbie the Reindeer]]: Hooves of Fire''
 
| {{c}} ''[[Robbie the Reindeer]]: Hooves of Fire''
 
| {{c}} 1999
 
| {{c}} 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.
+
| 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''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> 2002 sequel ''Legend of the Lost Tribe''.
 
|-id="futurama"
 
|-id="futurama"
  +
|[[File:No Screenshot.png|center|200px]]
 
|
 
|
|
 
 
| {{c}} ''Futurama'': "[[A Tale of Two Santas]]"
 
| {{c}} ''Futurama'': "[[A Tale of Two Santas]]"
 
| {{c}} 1999
 
| {{c}} 1999
 
| A robotic Rudolph with a explosive nose.
 
| A robotic Rudolph with a explosive nose.
 
|-id="brandyandwhiskers"
 
|-id="brandyandwhiskers"
| [[File:Rudolph-BrandyAndMrWhiskers.jpg|center|150px]]
+
| [[File:Rudolph-BrandyAndMrWhiskers.jpg|center|200px]]
 
|
 
|
 
| {{c}} ''Brandy and Mr. Whiskers'': "[[On Whiskers, On Lola, On Cheryl and Meryl]]"
 
| {{c}} ''Brandy and Mr. Whiskers'': "[[On Whiskers, On Lola, On Cheryl and Meryl]]"
 
| {{c}} 2004
 
| {{c}} 2004
 
|
 
|
  +
|-id="holidaze"
  +
| [[File:Imageholidazerustykidwm_.jpeg|center|200px]]
  +
| {{c}}
  +
| {{c}} ''[[Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen]]''
  +
| {{c}} 2006
  +
| In this special, Rudolph is the older brother of [[Rusty Reindeer|Rusty]]. Though not mentioned by name, Rudolph is heard offscreen talking to his father [[Roger (Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen)|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 {{W|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.
 
|-id="tuffpuppy"
 
|-id="tuffpuppy"
  +
| [[File:No Screenshot.png|center|200px]]
|
 
 
| {{c}} [[Grey DeLisle]]
 
| {{c}} [[Grey DeLisle]]
 
| {{c}} ''T.U.F.F. Puppy'': "[[A Doomed Christmas]]"
 
| {{c}} ''T.U.F.F. Puppy'': "[[A Doomed Christmas]]"
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|
 
|
 
|-id="regularshow"
 
|-id="regularshow"
| [[File:Rudolph_in_Regular_Show.jpg|center|150px]]
+
| [[File:Rudolph_in_Regular_Show.jpg|center|200px]]
| {{c}}
+
| {{c}}
 
| {{c}} ''Regular Show'': "[[The Christmas Special (Regular Show)|The Christmas Special]]"
 
| {{c}} ''Regular Show'': "[[The Christmas Special (Regular Show)|The Christmas Special]]"
 
| {{c}} 2012
 
| {{c}} 2012
 
|
  +
|-id="doctorwho"
  +
| [[File:Imagerdw.jpg|center|200px]]
  +
| {{c}}
  +
| {{c}} ''Doctor Who'': "[[Last Christmas (Doctor Who)|Last Christmas]]"
  +
| {{c}} 2014
  +
| Rudolph, along with [[Donner]] and Blitzen, appears in this special. It has been shown that Santa can park him like a car.
 
|}
 
|}
   
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{{Reindeer}}
 
{{Reindeer}}
 
[[Category:Characters]]
 
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
 
 
[[Category:Reindeer]]
 
[[Category:Reindeer]]
 
[[Category:Traditional Christmas characters]]
 
[[Category:Traditional Christmas characters]]
  +
[[Category:Characters from literature]]
 
[[Category:Male characters]]

Revision as of 07:54, 27 December 2018

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
Image1944
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.
Rudolph
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.

Rudolph-Pacman
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.
Rudolph-WeWishYouaMerryChristmas
We Wish You a Merry Christmas 1992
Rudolph in PATB
A Pinky and the Brain Christmas 1995
Rudolph-EWJ
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.
Rudolph-JohnnyBravo
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.
Supermodel-Rudolph
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".
Rudolph-Movie
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.
Imagertrrp
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.
No Screenshot
Futurama: "A Tale of Two Santas" 1999 A robotic Rudolph with a explosive nose.
Rudolph-BrandyAndMrWhiskers
Brandy and Mr. Whiskers: "On Whiskers, On Lola, On Cheryl and Meryl" 2004
Imageholidazerustykidwm
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.
No Screenshot
Grey DeLisle T.U.F.F. Puppy: "A Doomed Christmas" 2011
Rudolph in Regular Show
Regular Show: "The Christmas Special" 2012
Imagerdw
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.
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Reindeer
Santa's team DasherDancerPrancerVixenCometCupidDonnerBlitzenRudolph (Rankin/Bass version)
Others AnnabelleArrowBarnabyBlizzardBlizzBuckyClarice (her father) • DartDelphiFireballFredFrostGargoff • Gift Givers of the Grove (AliceAuroraBori) • Gobie (His friendsGrandfather) • GrandpaGrandsanta's Pet ReindeerHollyJonniLeaderLenniLightningMitziMrs. DonnerMrs. PrancerNicNikoOld JingleOliveOonaPrancyPinkyRennyRobbieRogerRustySagaSanta Claus's Reindeer's Great-Great-GrandchildrenScratcherSchnitzelSparkleStrikerSvenTapirThrasherTobiasZoey (Her father and mother)