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.
The character'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 | 1944 | Rudolph is a normal reindeer who is teased and taunted by his peers 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 |
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Christmas Comes to PacLand | 1982 | |||
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 | Rudolph resents the lack of respect that Santa gave him and believes that Santa deserved to get kidnapped. | |
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. | ||
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 | |||
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. |
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Reindeer | |
Santa's team | Dasher • Dancer • Prancer • Vixen • Comet • Cupid • Donner • Blitzen • Rudolph (Rankin/Bass version) |
Others | Annabelle • Arrow • Barnaby • Blizzard • Blizz • Bucky • Clarice (her father) • Dart • Delphi • Fireball • Fred • Frost • Gargoff • Gift Givers of the Grove (Alice • Aurora • Bori) • Gobie (His friends • Grandfather) • Grandpa • Grandsanta's Pet Reindeer • Holly • Jonni • Leader • Lenni • Lightning • Mitzi • Mrs. Donner • Mrs. Prancer • Nic • Niko • Old Jingle • Olive • Oona • Prancy • Pinky • Renny • Robbie • Roger • Rusty • Saga • Santa Claus's Reindeer's Great-Great-Grandchildren • Scratcher • Schnitzel • Sparkle • Striker • Sven • Tapir • Thrasher • Tobias • Zoey (Her father and mother) |