Santa Claus is a traditional, historical figure of Christmas good cheer who is the best known (at least in modern times) mascot of Christmas, developed in the United States as an amalgam of the story of St. Nicholas and various other seasonal folk heroes, with many aspects provided by A Visit From St. Nicholas. He is based largely on the Dutch holiday of "Sinterklaas" (a hastily pronounced "St. Nicholas," who comes down the chimney on the 5th / 6th of December) and the imagery of the Saint in question carried over to his North Pole incarnation.
Santa is a fat-bellied, happy elderly man with a long white beard dressed in a red coat with a white collar and cuffs, white gloves, white-cuffed red pants, and black leather belt and boots (though his outfit constantly differs) who carries a bag full of toys and gifts usually for children.[1] He lives at the North Pole in a large workshop staffed by elves who produce toys year round. Every Christmas Eve, he sets out in his flying sleigh pulled by at least 8 reindeer, delivering toys and other gifts to the children and children-at-heart of the world out of the improbably large sack he carries with him, entering their houses by the chimney, filling their stockings, putting larger gifts under the tree, partaking of whatever food and drink the family left out for him (traditionally cookies and milk), then leaving how he arrived.
Santa appears in many Christmas specials and films. His portrayal in them varies in many ways, as listed below.
Portrayals
Santa has been portrayed in many films and television specials. Here is a partial list of the actors who have portrayed him.
Live-action
Picture | Performer | Feature | Year | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
20th Century Fox | ||||
Edmund Gwenn | Miracle on 34th Street | 1947 | In his Oscar-winning performance, Gwenn portrays Kris Kringle, the resident of a Long Island old age home who takes up a job at Macy's Department Store in New York City, and wins the heart of an office executive. | |
Ed Wynn | Miracle on 34th Street | 1959 | The famous TV (and former vaudeville) comic played Kris Kringle in a live telecast on NBC. | |
Sebastian Cabot | Miracle on 34th Street | 1974 | ||
Sir Richard Attenborough | Miracle on 34th Street | 1994 | ||
Jim Belushi | Jingle All the Way | 1996 | Howard meets Santa at the mall and he tells him he wants to get his son Jamie a Turbo Man doll. | |
Disney | ||||
Paul Maxey | Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color: "Holiday Time at Disneyland" | 1962 | ||
Jan Rubes | One Magic Christmas | 1985 | Santa and Gideon the Christmas Angel help Ginny Grainger's mother find the spirit of Christmas. | |
Douglas Seale | Ernest Saves Christmas | 1988 | ||
Tim Allen | The Santa Clause | 1994 | Scott Calvin is a divorced father who is down on his luck when he accidentally kills the previous Santa and inadvertently becomes the new Father Christmas. He reappeared in The Santa Clause 2 and 3. | |
John B. Lowe | The Ultimate Christmas Present | 2000 | Two pre-teen girls find a weather machine owned by Santa who has a secluded shack in the woods somewhere in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area and use it to create snow, only to find out it is more than they can handle. | |
Leslie Nielsen | Santa Who? | 2000 | ||
George Wendt | Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws | 2009 | George Wendt portrays Santa for this film. | |
Donovan Scott | Zeke and Luther: Bro Ho Ho | 2010 | Donovan Scott plays a mall Santa, who may or may not be the real deal. | |
Jim O'Heir | Austin & Ally: Santas & Surprises | 2015 | ||
Art Carney | The Great Santa Claus Switch | 1970 | Carney portrayed both Santa and his evil doppelganger Cosmo Scam, who plans to take over Santa's workshop in this Jim Henson-created special edition of The Ed Sullivan Show. | |
Christmas Eve on Sesame Street | 1978 | Big Bird sits out on the roof of 123 Sesame Street to catch Santa in the act of delivering presents. Santa appears when Big Bird dozes off and is only seen in shadow, disappearing the moment Big Bird awakes. His voice is previously heard over a telephone swallowed by Cookie Monster (the voice provided by Jon Stone). | ||
Charles Durning | Elmo Saves Christmas | 1996 | When Elmo helps him get unstuck from the chimney on Christmas Eve, Santa grants three wishes to Elmo. When he wishes that everyday was Christmas, Santa, along with Lightning the Reindeer, shows Elmo the consequences of that wish. | |
Charles Edward Hall | Elmo's World: Happy Holidays! | 2002 | Elmo visits Santa at his home in the North Pole. Hall also portrays Santa in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes. | |
Kevin James | Elmo's Christmas Countdown | 2007 | ||
Richard Griffiths | A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa | 2008 | ||
Nickelodeon | ||||
All That: Episode 225 | 1995 | At the beginning of the episode, Santa visits the greenroom, where the cast members tell him what they want for Christmas. Later, he appears in an Adventures of Superdude sketch in which he gets captured by Milkman, but is fortunately rescued by Superdude. | ||
Kenan and Kel: "Merry Christmas, Kenan" | 1996 | At the end of the episode, Santa brings Kenan the Roadblazer Deluxe Elite mountain bike that he wanted. | ||
Michael Bell | SpongeBob SquarePants: "Christmas Who?" | 2000 | A live-action Santa flies over Bikini Bottom after Squidward finds a note from him. | |
Team Umizoomi: "Santa's Little Fixers" | 2010 | A live-action Santa appearing in an animated series. | ||
Donavon Stinson | A Fairly Odd Christmas | 2012 | As this film is a follow-up to The Fairly OddParents, this Santa is meant to be the same version from the series' Christmas episodes. | |
Miscellaneous | ||||
Art Carney | The Twilight Zone: "Night of the Meek" | 1960 | A rare videotaped telecast of CBS' sci-fi series created and written by Rod Serling saw Carney as a department store Santa. | |
John Call | Santa Claus Conquers the Martians | 1964 | Santa gets kidnapped by martians who believe their planet needs someone like him. In the end, he suggests that a martian named Dropo be the Mars equivalent of him. | |
Jay Ripley | Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny | 1972 | Santa's sleigh gets stuck in the sands of Dania Beach, Florida, near the Pirates World Amusement Park. Summoning nearby children to help rescue him so he can resume his annual deliveries, but to no avail, he tells the children one of two non-Christmas fairy tales and is rescued by a man in a rabbit suit who drives an antique fire engine. | |
Art Carney | The Night They Saved Christmas | 1984 | Jackie Gleason's long-time second banana once again portrayed Santa, this time saving his workshop from evil oil prospectors. | |
David Huddleston | Santa Claus: The Movie | 1985 | The story of Santa's origins are revealed from the days before he became a Christmas hero all over the world. | |
Richard Mulligan | The Twilight Zone: "Night of the Meek" (1985 remake) | 1985 | Mulligan (left) takes over the role of a drunken department store Santa made famous by Art Carney in the remake. | |
Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends: "Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree" | 1986 | Santa makes a cameo appearance as a guest dropped off by Harold the Helicopter. He is also mentioned by Thomas in "Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure." | ||
Kort Falkenberg | The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!: "Santa Claus Is Coming to Flatbush" | 1989 | Santa pays a visit to Mario and Luigi. | |
Henry Hammack | Barney: Waiting for Santa | 1990 | Barney reads The Night Before Christmas to Michael and Amy, children he has befriended, all while Santa himself is in the living room doing his usual work. He falls asleep just as he comes to "With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick." Santa whispers the last quotation to the camera after that. | |
Lloyd Bridges | 'Tis a Gift | 1990 | Santa (also known as Mr. Nicholas) visits Shining Time Station. He catches a train called "The Northern Star." | |
Robert Miliam | Wee Sing The Best Christmas Ever! | 1990 | Poofer the Elf brings in Santa to the workshop. Santa helps Gusty to figure out the problem, so he brings Dermie to try on some brand-new glasses. On Christmas morning, he gives the Smith parents, Barbara and Larry a doll and a football. | |
Robyn Archer - Eating on the Plane | 1991 | Santa, who is dressed up by one of the children and on the plane, is working on the computer while making a cameo appearance. | ||
Don Mincey | Kidsongs: We Wish You a Merry Christmas | 1992 | The Kidsongs Kids and Ms. Morganstern visit Santa and Mrs. Claus at the North Pole. | |
Robert Fliss | Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: "I'm Dreaming of a White Ranger" | 1995 | Santa's workshop is overrun by Goldar and Rito Revolto, forcing the Power Rangers to save him and the elves. | |
Charles Durning | Mrs. Santa Claus | 1996 | Durning played Santa twice in the same year as the co-star of Angela Lansbury's titular character in this made-for-TV movie musical. | |
Jonathan Mill | Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas | 1997 | Santa appears during "Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Go Santa Go," "Christmas Picnic," "Let's Clap Hands for Santa Claus," and "Jeff's Christmas Tune." | |
William Hootkins | Like Father, Like Santa | 1998 | Santa is the father to a son (Harry Hamlin) who is a ruthless tycoon in the toy industry. | |
Cameron Lewis | The Wiggly Big Show | 1999 | Santa returns to do "Wiggly Christmas Medley." | |
Gerry Parkes | Must Be Santa | 1999 | ||
Fred Gaffney | Yule Be Wiggling | 2001 | Santa appears on The Wiggles for the third time. | |
Ed Asner | Elf | 2003 | ||
Charles Durning | Mr. Saint Nick | 2004 | Durning dons the red suit a third time, portraying Kelsey Grammer's father in this made-for-cable film. | |
Franko Torrelli | Santa's Rockin'! | 2004 | Santa makes an appearance in The Wiggles once again. | |
George Wendt | Santa Baby | 2006 | Santa falls ill and his daughter (Jenny McCarthy) has to fill in for him on Christmas Eve. | |
John Goodman | The Year Without a Santa Claus | 2006 | ||
Paul Giamatti | Fred Claus | 2007 | Santa is the younger brother of the titular character. | |
George Wendt | A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! | 2008 | Wendt appeared as St. Nick in Steven Colbert's Christmas special. | |
Paul Sorvino | Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe | 2009 | In this sequel to Santa Baby, Paul Sorvino took over the role previously played by George Wendt. | |
W. Morgan Sheppard | Farewell Mr. Kringle | 2010 | Sheppard portrays Santa in a live-action role. | |
R.D. Reid | The Night Before the Night Before Christmas | 2010 | Santa is in a jam at a house on December 23. | |
James Cosmo | The Santa Incident | 2010 | An inept U.S. Homeland Security agent holds Santa for invading U.S. airspace. | |
George Wendt | Merry-In-Laws | 2012 | George Wendt once again portrays Santa, this time with Shelley Long (who previously starred alongside him on Cheers) appearing as Mrs. Claus. | |
Bert Newton | Go, Santa, Go! | 2013 | Bert Newton appears as Santa in The Wiggles' latest Christmas DVD. | |
Nick Frost | Doctor Who: Last Christmas | 2014 | Santa first makes a small appearance at during a mid-credits scene in the Series 8 finale Death in Heaven. In the special, Santa has two elves named Ian and the Wolf, but has only three reindeer: Rudolph, Donner, and Blitzen. |
Animated
Picture | Performer | Feature | Year | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Disney | ||||
Allan Watson | Santa's Workshop | 1932 | Santa reads letters from children as he prepares for his big night. This same version of Santa was seen again the following year in The Night Before Christmas as he embarks upon a home filled with children. | |
Hal Smith | Bonkers: "Miracle at the 34th Precinct" | 1993 | While testing out in his new sleigh, Santa accidentally falls out and lands in Burbank, California, where he loses his memory and hangs out with Fall-Apart Rabbit, who nicknames him Jim. | |
Edward Ivory | The Nightmare Before Christmas | 1993 | Santa is held captive by Oogie Boogie while Jack Skellington poses in his place. | |
Daran Norris | The Schnookums and Meat Funny Cartoon Show: "Jingle Bells, Something Smells" | 1995 | ||
James Earl Jones | Recess: "Yes, Mikey, Santa Does Shave" | 1998 | In this special, the real Santa is an African-American man with a cleanly-shaven beard. | |
Earl Boen | Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: "Holiday Time" | 2000 | Santa operates out of the planet North Polaris, where utilizing an interstellar sleigh and a time-manipulation device, delivers presents to all the planets within the Galactic Alliance. He recruits Buzz's help in retrieving his Chronal Disruptor from Zurg. | |
Corey Burton | House of Mouse: "Clarabelle's Christmas List" | 2002 | This version of Santa appears to be the same one from the Silly Symphonies shorts. | |
Chuck McCann | Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas | 2004 | ||
John Astin | Higglytown Heroes: "Twinkle's Wish" | 2004 | ||
Dee Bradley Baker | Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: "Mickey Saves Santa" | 2006 | This version of Santa later reappeared in the hour-length episode "Choo-Choo Express." | |
Jeffrey Tambor | My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Super Sleuth Christmas Movie | 2007 | ||
Daran Norris | The Replacements: "Dick Daring's All-Star Holiday Stunt Spectacular V" | 2008 | Appears in a sketch where Todd Daring tries to replace him with different types of Santas. | |
Clancy Brown | Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation! | 2009 | Santa arranges for Dr. Doofenshmirtz to build the Naughtyinator with which to ruin Christmas, and a CD of him singing (under the alias Sal Tuscany) for Perry to use to foil the doctor's plan. He later uses the sauna in the rest stop that Phineas and Ferb built for him and reads Phineas' letter, saying all Phineas wished for was to be like him. | |
W. Morgan Sheppard | Prep & Landing series | 2009 | Santa is code-named "The Big Guy." His face is never fully shown onscreen, except from a distance in a few shots in Operation: Secret Santa. | |
Doc McStuffins: "A Very McStuffins Christmas" | 2013 | |||
Kevin Michael Richardson | Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special | 2016 | Santa's design here is based off of the Silly Symphonies version. | |
Rankin/Bass | ||||
Stan Francis | Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer | 1964 | A skinny (and very cranky) Santa fattens himself up before asking Rudolph to guide his sleigh through the stormy weather on Christmas Eve. | |
Paul Frees | Frosty the Snowman | 1969 | Hocus Pocus flags down Santa as the only magical being who can bring Frosty back to life after he's melted in a greenhouse. | |
Mickey Rooney | Santa Claus is Comin' to Town | 1970 |
This same version reappeared in The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974), Rudolph's Shiny New Year (1976), and Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July (1979). Notably, he was instead voiced by Paul Frees in Rudolph's Shiny New Year. | |
'Twas the Night Before Christmas | 1974 | |||
Pinocchio's Christmas | 1980 | Santa is seen in a fantasy sequence where Pinocchio is teaching his toys to dance (this scene is cut from ABC Family's broadcasts). He later shows up to bring Pinocchio and Dr. Cricket back home to Geppetto's workshop. | ||
J.D. Roth (Young Claus) | The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus | 1985 | Santa, known at this time as just Claus, grew up in the Forest of Burzee and was raised by the immortal Necile. | |
Warner Bros. | ||||
The Shanty Where Santy Claus Lives | 1933 | |||
Mel Blanc | Bugs Bunny's Looney Christmas Tales | 1979 | Santa does not appear onscreen, but is instead only heard talking to his wife. | |
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation | 1989 | A clumsy Santa is depicted during the film's opening title sequence. | ||
Earl Boen | A Pinky and the Brain Christmas | 1995 | ||
Tom Hanks | The Polar Express | 2004 | Hanks' role in this CGI film was one of many in this 2004 adaptation of Chris Van Allsburgh's story. | |
Mickey Rooney | A Miser Brothers' Christmas | 2008 | As this special is a sequel to The Year Without a Santa Claus, this version of Santa is meant to be the same as the above-mentioned version from that special (albeit with a slightly different design). Mickey Rooney reprised the role for this special. | |
Fred Tatasciore | Scooby-Doo! Haunted Holidays | 2012 | ||
Barry Corbin | The Looney Tunes Show: "A Christmas Carol" | 2012 | ||
Robert Morse | Teen Titans Go! | 2015 | ||
Hanna-Barbera | ||||
Hal Smith | The Flintstones: "Christmas Flintstone" | 1965 | When he is sick with a flu, Santa has Fred substitute for him. | |
Hal Smith | A Christmas Story | 1972 | ||
Hal Smith | A Flintstone Christmas | 1977 | Like in the first Flintstones Christmas production, Santa has Fred substitute for him. | |
Hal Smith | Casper's First Christmas | 1979 | All Casper wants for Christmas is for his friend Hairy Scary's house to not be torn down. Even though Hairy doesn't believe in Christmas, Santa nevertheless delivers him a deed to the condemned house. | |
Hal Smith | Yogi's First Christmas | 1980 | ||
Peter Cullen | Christmas Comes to Pac-Land | 1982 | ||
Midnight Patrol: Adventures in the Dream Zone: "Santa-Napped" | 1990 | |||
Hal Smith | The Town Santa Forgot | 1993 | To repay Jeremy Creek for his unexpected kindness, Santa makes him his assistant in his annual trek. This would notably be the last production in which Santa was voiced by Hal Smith, who died the following year. | |
T. K. Carter | What a Cartoon!: "George and Junior's Christmas Spectacular" | 1995 | ||
DiC Entertainment | ||||
Heathcliff: "North Pole Cat" | 1986 | |||
The Super Mario Bros. Super Show: "Koopa Klaus" | 1989 | |||
Frank Welker | Inspector Gadget Saves Christmas | 1992 | ||
Jay Brazeau | Sonic Christmas Blast | 1996 | At the end of this special, Santa retires and gives his position to Sonic. | |
Super Duper Sumos: "Santa's a Big Fat Sumo" | 2000 | |||
Nickelodeon | ||||
Neil Ross | Rugrats: "The Santa Experience" | 1992 | ||
Brian Doyle-Murray | CatDog: "A Very CatDog Christmas" | 1999 | ||
Tom Arnold (Corporate Santa); Kevin Michael Richardson (Magic Santa) | The Fairly OddParents | 2001 | According to "Christmas Every Day!", Santa has the image and personality of a corporate CEO outside of Christmas. Every Christmas Eve, all the fairies transfer their magic to him, transforming him into his more familiar jolly appearance. However, he is always depicted in his familiar jolly form in his later appearances in the series (including "Merry Wishmas"). | |
Merry Nickmas: "Holiday Party" | 2002 | Based loosely off of the version from the Rankin / Bass Rudolph special, he is referred to as St. Nick as a direct reference to the channel's name and laughs to the tune of the Nickelodeon jingle. | ||
Howie Dorough | Dora the Explorer: "A Present for Santa" | 2002 | The Backstreet Boys member voiced Santa in the first Christmas episode of the Nick Jr. animated series. | |
Mel Brooks | The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: "Holly Jolly Jimmy" | 2003 | Santa is shown to be a super genius, much like Jimmy. | |
Pat Fraley | My Life as a Teenage Robot: "A Robot for All Seasons" | 2004 | ||
Harry Chase | Dora the Explorer: "Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure" | 2009 | Looks the same as in the first Dora the Explorer Christmas special, but has a different voice actor this time. | |
Conan O'Brien | The Backyardigans: "The Action Elves Save Christmas Eve" | 2009 | Though never seen, Snappy the elf talks to Santa by cell phone. | |
Kevin Michael Richardson | Back at the Barnyard: "It's an Udderful Life" | 2009 | Santa comes down with a case of ferret fever. | |
Matthew W. Taylor | T.U.F.F. Puppy: "A Doomed Christmas" | 2011 | In T.U.F.F. Puppy, Santa is depicted as an anthropomorphic polar bear. | |
John Goodman | SpongeBob SquarePants: "It's A SpongeBob Christmas!" | 2012 | Unlike in the first SpongeBob Christmas special, Santa is depicted as resembling an anthropomorphic "sea pig". | |
PAW Patrol: "Pups Save Christmas" | 2013 | |||
Cartoon Network | ||||
Jeff Bennett | Dexter's Laboratory: "Dexter Vs. Santa's Claws" | 1998 | Dexter attacks Santa and shaves his beard in an attempt to prove he is really his dad in a costume. | |
Tom Bosley | Johnny Bravo: "Twas the Night" | 1997 | Johnny mistakes Santa for a burglar and accidentally knocks him out, forcing him to take over for Santa. At the end of the episode, Santa gives Johnny boxing gloves, vowing that next year is "Round 2". | |
Earl Boen | A Johnny Bravo Christmas | 2001 | In the second Johnny Bravo Christmas episode, Johnny travels to the North Pole when he forgets to send his and his mother's letters to Santa. Upon being reminded of the previous episode's events, Santa upholds his promise to Johnny. | |
Michael Bell | The Powerpuff Girls: 'Twas the Fight Before Christmas | 2003 | Santa is tricked into thinking that all the children in the world are naughty after Princess Morbucks switches the headlines around on his naughty and nice lists. Ultimately, Santa discovers Princess' ruse and places her on the Permanent Naughty Plaque. | |
Danny Antonucci | Ed, Edd n Eddy's Jingle Jingle Jangle | 2004 | Santa appears briefly near the end where he drops his sack of gifts on top of Eddy. | |
Tom Kane and Phil LaMarr | Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: "A Lost Claus" | 2005 | Pictured here are a pair of a imaginary Santas who are created every Christmas by kids fighting with each other. The real Santa is never shown onscreen in this special. | |
Gilbert Gottfried | Billy & Mandy Save Christmas | 2005 | ||
Dee Bradley Baker | Codename: Kids Next Door: "Operation: N.A.U.G.H.T.Y." | 2005 | Santa doesn't actually go flying around the world; instead, he uses a sleigh-shaped computer to transport presents and coal into the homes of good and bad children. | |
Tom Kenny | Camp Lazlo: "Kamp Kringle" | 2007 | ||
Ed Asner | Regular Show: "The Christmas Special" | 2012 | Santa doesn't look a lot like how most people imagined he'd look like (he says TV producers made that appearance up). He has really long hair, which he has tied back into a ponytail. He wears a black jacket that is unbuttoned, revealing a red shirt, which is tucked in. He also wears brown pants, a belt, and a red scarf, and does not wear the familiar Santa hat. The only thing people got right about him was his beard. He also isn't fat at all; in fact, he has a six-pack. | |
Brian Blessed | The Amazing World of Gumball: "Christmas" | 2012 | As a result of being struck by a car, he believes he is a random homeless man. Richard and the kids believe him to be Santa, but he hasn't the faintest clue what they are talking about. The kids' attempts at getting his memories back only succeed in annoying him. Eventually, Nicole reveals that Santa Claus is non-existent, making him to realize how worthless he is. At the lowest point in his depression, he is struck in the head again, causing him to regain his memories. | |
Bob Joles | Uncle Grandpa: "Christmas Special" | 2014 | ||
20th Century Fox | ||||
Ed Asner | Olive, the Other Reindeer | 1999 | ||
Hank Azaria | The Simpsons: "Simpsons Christmas Stories" | 2005 | ||
Bruce McGill | Family Guy: "Road to the North Pole" | 2010 | ||
Dan Castellaneta | The Simpsons: "The Fight Before Christmas" | 2010 | In Bart's Polar Express-inspired dream, Santa is portrayed by Krusty. | |
Billy Gardell | Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas | 2011 | ||
Miscellaneous | ||||
Frank Welker | A Chipmunk Christmas | 1981 | ||
Fairy Princess Minky Momo: "Please, Santa Claus" | 1982 | |||
The Snowman | 1982 | |||
Carrol O'Connors | The Glo Friends Save Christmas | 1985 | ||
George and the Christmas Star | 1985 | |||
Les Lye | Babar and Father Christmas | 1986 | ||
Andrew Hill Newman | A Wish For Wings That Work | 1991 | Somewhat like in Prep & Landing, Santa's face is almost never fully shown onscreen, except from a distance. | |
Santaclaus of Chimeny | 1991 | |||
Mel Smith | Father Christmas | 1991 | This is the same one that featured in The Snowman. This special shows him going on holiday and is also shown to own a cat, a dog, and two reindeer. | |
Up on the Housetop | 1992 | |||
Jim McNabb | The Teddy Bears' Christmas | 1992 | ||
William Shatner | Eek! The Cat: "It's a Very Merry Eek's-Mas" | 1993 | ||
Jim Cummings | Spot's Magical Christmas | 1995 | ||
Jim Cummings | The Mask: "Santa Mask" | 1995 | ||
Keith Knight | The Busy World of Richard Scarry: "Sally Cat's Christmas Dream" | 1995 | In Sally Cat's dream, Santa is portrayed by Huckle and Sally's father John Cat. | |
Ed Asner | The Story of Santa Claus | 1996 | ||
Jim Cummings | Earthworm Jim: "For Whom the Jingle Bell Tolls" | 1996 | Queen Slug-For-A-Butt captures Santa and brainwashes him into helping her plant brainwashing microchips in the brains of all the children on Earth. Fortunately, Santa is returned to normal after a speech by Jim and defeats the Queen, revealing to the heroes that he is also Woltan, the Norse God of Judgement. | |
Trey Parker | South Park | 1997 | ||
Jim Cummings | The Online Adventures of Ozzie the Elf | 1997 | ||
Jonathan Winters | Santa vs. the Snowman | 1997 | ||
John Goodman | Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie | 1998 | ||
Takko Ishimori (Japanese) Ted Lewis (English) |
Pokémon: "Holiday Hi-Jynx" | 1998 | In the Pokémon world, Santa works with Jynx as his elves and a team of Rapidash. | |
Ricky Tomlinson (UK)/ James Belushi (US) | Robbie the Reindeer | 1999 | Appears in Hooves of Fire | |
Hamtaro: "Merry Christmas!" | 2000 | |||
Robby Benson (young)
Jim Cummings (old) |
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus | 2000 | Santa, known at this time as just Claus, grew up in the Forest of Burzee and was raised by the immortal Necile. | |
Jim Staahl | Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer | 2000 | ||
Gary Chalk | Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys | 2001 | As this special is a sequel to Rankin / Bass's Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, this version of Santa is meant to be the same as the above-mentioned version from that special (albeit with a slightly different design). | |
David Kaye | Jackie Chan Adventures: "A Jolly J-Team Xmas" | 2002 | ||
Mickey Rooney | The Happy Elf | 2005 | Referred to as "Big Red" by Eubie, Santa is again voiced by Mickey Rooney, but is otherwise not meant to be the same version from Santa Claus is Comin' to Town. | |
Andy Griffith | Christmas is Here Again | 2007 | ||
Super Why!: "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" | 2008 | Super Why and his friends learn what makes Santa give gifts to children on Christmas Eve. | ||
William Shatner | Gotta Catch Santa Claus | 2008 | ||
Kid vs. Kat: "Kid vs. Kat vs. Christmas" | 2009 | Santa is a pie maker who makes pies at Bootsville. Kat gets angry when he finds out he was not the real Santa. | ||
Simon Pryce | Dorothy the Dinosaur Meets Santa Claus | 2009 | ||
Carl Reiner | Merry Madagascar | 2009 | Santa is mistaken for the Great Red Night Goblin that comes every "Julienary" throwing black rocks at the animal residents of the east African island. Alex the Lion accidentally causes Santa to crash and catch a case of amnesia, prompting Alex, Marty, Gloria, Melman, and the penguins to substitute for him. This same version of Santa reappears in The Penguins of Madagascar episode "The All Nighter Before Christmas", with Reiner reprising the role. | |
Jim Broadbent | Arthur Christmas | 2011 | In this film, his real name is Malcolm and it is revealed that Santa Claus is a hereditary title, which he passes down to his youngest son Arthur. | |
Hoops & Yo-Yo Ruin Christmas | 2011 | Santa gets his first visit from Hoops and Yoyo as a young stableboy who makes a special toy. | ||
The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf's Story | 2011 | Jolly Old Saint Nick is in charge of all the Scout Elves. | ||
The Snowman and the Snowdog | 2012 | |||
John Rhys Davies | Mukpuddy: "Missing Christmas" | 2012 | ||
SheZow: "SheZon's Greetings" | 2013 | |||
Colin Murdock | "Bob's Broken Sleigh" | 2015 | Santa is nearly forced to cancel his Christmas deliveries when a villainous puffin who seeks a sophisticated, but malfunctioning, sleigh built by one of his elves. | |
Brian Blessed | Danger Mouse: "The Snowman Cometh" | 2015 | This version of Santa is portrayed as a polar bear. His magical hat (which helps him deliver his presents in one night) is stolen by a villain called the Snowman. | |
Hugh Bonneville | Stick Man | 2015 | In this short film, Santa gets stuck in a chimney, but is helped out by Stick Man. As gratitude, Santa returns Stick Man to his family. |