Animated Cartoons Inspired by Real Women What would you say if we told you some of your favorite cartoon characters growing up were inspired by real life people? These people were actors, actresses, singers and more. Earlier days of animation that consisted of hand-drawn animation inspired many artists to collaborate with other people who turned out to be the inspiration behind their creations. Animation studios are full of creative people inspired by real life, much like singers and songwriters who write about their own experiences. Many of these characters were heavily modeled after a person’s physical appearance or personality quirks. You might be surprised to find that the resemblance between these animated characters and their real-life counterpart is uncanny!

Betty Boop Max Fleischer created Betty Boop, a character who would become a cultural icon in the 1930s. Betty Boop was one of the first flapper-inspired cartoons ever. She was a symbol of the roaring twenties. The character and cartoon was an instant hit with adults. What set Betty apart from other cartoons was the fact that she represented a “fully realized woman.” Unlike female characters like Minnie Mouse, Betty was not created to compliment her male counterpart. She was a single woman living on her own.

The baby voiced animated character made her first appearance on August 9th, 1930. Songstress Helen Kane is largely accredited for being the inspiration behind the creation of Betty Boop. Kane was well known for her baby voiced singing and sexualized demeanor. Betty Boop was a memorable character because she spoke out against conservative beliefs and morals that were highly regarded at the time. She often rebelled against the values her parents imposed on her growing up. Eventually the Hays Code was forced on the show. Betty Boop’s once scantily clad wardrobe was transformed into longer hemlines and a more conservative character that represented a career girl. Despite the significant changes, Betty Boop continued to be a household name for decades after. Edna Mode from “The Incredibles” If you didn’t catch Pixar’s 2004 hit “The Incredibles,” you might’ve missed Edna Mode. She was a small, spunky woman who designed innovative and stylish costumes for superheroes. The tiny animated character may have been short in stature; however, she didn’t come up short in terms of presence. Mode was a burst of energy and brought a witty personality to the movie that counterbalanced many of the characters she interacted with. There is a toss-up between two real-life women who may have been the inspiration behind this quirky character. Anna Wintour, the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue is said to have contributed to the inspiration behind Edna Mode’s intimidating personality and presence. However, in regards to Edna’s physical appearance, many are pulling for Edith Head as the main inspiration behind this character design. From the jet-black bob to the thick-framed circular glasses, the resemblance between Head and Mode is eerie. Head was well known for producing the highest-quality designs and costumes for movie productions of the golden era of Hollywood. She worked with directors like Alfred Hitchcock and golden girls like Grace Kelly and Lucille Ball. Pocahontas The animation studio behind Pocahontas conducted a lot of research and sought out many resources to make the production as credible as possible. That is why Irene Bedard was not only great as the voice of Pocahontas, but as a source and inspiration behind the character herself. She brought forth a cultural perspective that was very helpful throughout the creation process. Other pieces of information that were sought out included the kind of clothing that was worn in Virginia during the early settlement as well as the kind of food that was grown and eaten. Pocahontas may not have been created based on Bedard, but Bedard certainly played a large role in regards to the character’s appearance and movement. The mother of one admits that sometimes her own son will recognize the animated character as “Mommy.” When the movie first appeared over two decades ago, Berdard’s brother accompanied her to the movie’s premier. In an interview with dvdizzy.com, she recalls the way her brother recognized various traits between her and her animated counterpart.

Since Pocahontas was released, Berdard went on to star in another sequel inspired by the movie, directed by Steven Spielberg. Berdard believes that Pocahontas was one of Disney’s “strongest” female characters. She shared how immensely proud she was to have been given the opportunity to portray a character such as Pocahontas. These outspoken and underrated female cartoons are only a few of the characters that animation studios create as a result of a real-life muse. Many male and female characters from politicians to writers continue to contribute to the story lines behind some of the most popular animated cartoons and shows that have graced television shows across the world.