Tasmanian Devil

### Friends

Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Speedy Gonzales, Tweety, Sylvester, Porky Pig, Granny, Witch Hazel (sometimes), Gossamer (sometimes), Lola Bunny, Pepe Le Pew, Tina Russo, Foghorn Leghorn, Pete Puma, Mac and Tosh, Road Runner, Petunia Pig, Penelope Pussycat, Michael Jordan, Stan Podolak, The Nerdlucks/ The Monstars, D.J. Drake, Kate Houghton, LeBron James, Blake Griffin, Ann Darrow, King Kong, Jack Driscoll, Carl Denham, Charles Weston, Charlie the Cook, Captain Englehorn, Gena, Mama Dinosaur, Lenny, Yosemite Sam (sometimes), Elmer Fudd (sometimes), Marvin the Martian (sometimes), Wile E. Coyote (sometimes), other friends

### Enemies

Bugs Bunny (sometimes), Daffy Duck (sometimes), Speedy Gonzales (sometimes), Tweety (sometimes), Sylvester (sometimes), Porky Pig (sometimes), Granny (sometimes), Lola Bunny (sometimes), Pepe Le Pew (sometimes), Tina Russo (sometimes), Foghorn Leghorn (sometimes), Pete Puma (sometimes), Mac and Tosh (sometimes), Petunia Pig (sometimes), Penelope Pussycat (sometimes), Yosemite Sam, Elmer Fudd, Marvin the Martian, Wile E. Coyote, Gossamer, Witch Hazel, Nasty Canasta, Rocky and Mugsy, Cecil Turtle, Mr. Swackhammer, The Nerdlucks/ The Monstars (formerly), Mr. Chairman, The Witch Doctor, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Terisha, Al-G Rhythm, Goon Squad, other enemies

The **Tasmanian Devil** (better known simply as **Taz**) is a major character in the animated series *Looney Tunes* and *Merrie Melodies*, and the titular protagonist of the animated series *Taz-Mania*.

## Origin

Robert McKimson designed the character after the real-life Tasmanian Devil, an animal native to Australia, and the Tennessee Top of American folklore; however, the only real resemblance between the Tasmanian Devil and McKimson's beast is their ravenous appetite. In fact, it is this appetite that serves as the Tasmanian Devil's main characteristic. The Devil devours everything in sight, including boulders, trees, shrubs, and hills, all the while whirling about like a miniature cyclone that sounds like a dozen motors all whirring in unison. The Tasmanian Devil also harbors a special craving for rabbit.

## Hunger

It is this hunger that serves as the impetus for McKimson's "Devil May Hare" (first released on June 19, 1954). The Devil stalks Bugs Bunny, but due to his dim wits and inability to frame complete sentences, he serves as little more than a nuisance. Bugs eventually gets rid of him in the most logical way possible – matching him up with an equally insatiable female Devil. The character's speech, peppered with growls, screeches, and raspberries, is provided by Mel Blanc & now provided by Jim Cummings, who is most famous for doing Winnie the Pooh & Tigger in the Disney cartoons.

## Retirement

Producer Edward Seltzer, head of the Warner Bros. animation studio, ordered McKimson to retire the character since it was "too obnoxious". After a time with no new Devil shorts, Jack Warner asked what had happened. He then saved the Devil's career when he told Seltzer that he had received "boxes and boxes" of letters from people who liked the character.

## Personality

As the youngest of the Looney Tunes, Taz is generally portrayed as a dim-witted teenager-type with a notoriously short temper and has little patience. He will eat anything and everything, with an appetite that seems to know no bounds. Taz is best known for his speech consisting mostly of grunts, growls, rasps, and his ability to spin and bite through just about anything.

## On Home Video

All five original Tasmanian Devil shorts are featured in Looney Tunes Platinum Collection: Volume 1 as is "The Fright Before Christmas".

## In other media

* The Tasmanian Devil makes a cameo in *Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed*.

## Trivia

* In the alternate ending of Looney Tunes: Back in Action, Taz is pulled out of a cylinder by Mr. Chairman, beginning to rant and attack D.J. Drake and Cave Kate. The latter is his main enemy, as he begins to scream and grunt menacingly against him.