Today, over 80 years later, the Looney Tunes gang are still making even their grandchildren and great-grandchildren laugh hysterically with their animated antics—and the numerous Looney Tunes characters remain as iconic as they’ve ever been. But which character is the best? Which animated member of the Looney Tunes cast, that’s seen generations of children grow into adults, remains the ultimate favorite amongst icons? Who has the greatest legacy? We’re looking at the entire cast of Looney Tunes characters to find out for ourselves which Looney Tunes character is truly the best.
10. Speedy Gonzales
The antics of Speedy Gonzales always felt like an appetizer to any Looney Tunes meal, as though we needed a fresh dollop of fast fun before getting to the “real” characters who could headline an episode. Speedy’s appeal came in his small stature and the unshakable moral stands he took against those who tried to harm him or his friends. He was almost like a miniature Bugs Bunny in a lot of ways, who relied on his quick wit and calm exterior during times of crisis. Every episode with Speedy was worth your time, and over the years he’s grown into a fundamental part of the squad.
9. Sylvester and Tweety
The ultimate battle between cat and bird was fleshed out before the eyes of watching children, who loved the dynamic that existed between this murderous cat and this sharply intelligent bird. In the continuing war between the pair, Sylvester always ended up on the losing side as he tried in vain to capture and eat Tweety when Granny wasn’t looking. However, Tweety had more wits than anyone could’ve imagined and always found a way to prove brain over brawn. In the end, the pair are a team of sorts, and one without the other just doesn’t have that same compelling, twisted humor.
8. Lola Bunny
First introduced in Space Jam as a love interest for Bugs, Lola Bunny has made her way into the hearts of fans of the more modern generation of The Looney Tunes. Although designed to be Bugs’ other half, she ends up successfully being her own woman. She’s somebody who can hold her own audience and proves to be a capable leading character. Her role in the modern Looney Tunes reboot series caught on and she became a fast favorite character, with her personality shifting from a sassy basketball player to an insane-yet-lovable stalker who wants to enjoy her life to the max.
7. Taz the Tasmanian Devil
A character of pure destruction and chaos. A creature who’s feared by all others. A maniac who seems to revel in the chase. Taz the Tasmanian Devil can often be found tearing through trees and rocks like they’re made of paper. His aggression is enjoyable to witness, especially when he does battle with Bugs or Daffy as he often finds himself tricked into dire situations—through which Taz becomes the butt of his own schemes. He’s not sharp enough to take on Bugs or Daffy intellectually, but he’s an unstoppable eating machine who gives them a tough run anyway.
6. Yosemite Sam
If not for Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam would be the ultimate villain in the Looney Tunes world. He never gives up. Yosemite always fights tooth and nail to the last draw because he always thinks he’s capable of outwitting the Bunny. Yet, we all know he isn’t. He’ll never beat Bugs in a game of wits, but watching him try brings children and adults to laughter. And that’s the character’s magic. Every line of dialogue is funny, his antics are always done to the extreme, and seeing him get hurt over and over never becomes passé.
5. Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner
Although neither can exist without the other, Wile E. Coyote is the character who defines the pair. It’s his desperation and willingness to try anything made by Acme to capture Road Runner that has long become a famed part of pop culture. Wile E. Coyote has more character to him than Road Runner does. He’s even appeared in multiple episodes without his famous speedy companion, notably in some earlier Bugs Bunny episodes in which he introduces himself as “a genius.” While the self-proclaimed intelligent Coyote may be the better, funnier, and more crucial character of the pair, we simply couldn’t include him without his desired prey. Their time together has made them an animated institution of comedy.
4. Elmer Fudd
What can be said about Elmer Fudd that hasn’t already? He’s Bugs Bunny’s greatest villain, the dumbest hunter, and blessed with a voice that has him recognized long before he’s spotted. Elmer Fudd is hilarious because everything he does is chewed up, masticated, and spat back at him by his enemy. Whether he’s up against Bugs or Daffy, he always comes out the loser. However, it’s when he finally managed to kill Bugs in their opera that Elmer Fudd showed why he’s so great: he doesn’t revel in Bugs’ demise but instead shows emotions for the slain bunny that made him human, as he carried Bugs off into the light, weeping at his actions.
3. Porky Pig
Porky Pig is the character who feels the most like the rest of us. He doesn’t want to be caught up in the antics of his co-stars; he’d rather sit by the fire and gently nap with a pet by his side. However, he’s played many roles throughout his many decades in The Looney Tunes, often appearing as a sidekick to other characters. Him as the eager young space cadet to Daffy’s Duck Dodgers is comedic gold, and his obliviousness to Sylvester’s haunted houses are hilarious. Porky Pig rose in status to a leading character all because of the fandom he earned through years of being the supporting character.
2. Daffy Duck
A wise-cracking, smart-alec duck who often thinks he’s smarter than he is and prone to moments of outright anger. Who’d have thought that would make for such an iconic character? Daffy Duck is arguably the funniest of all the Looney Tunes characters. He provides the biggest fails and greatest triumphs while somehow being the character you almost want to fail. As the number one frenemy of Bugs Bunny, Daffy and Bugs are always better together than they are apart. That was proven in spades with Chuck Jones’ iconic “Hunting Season” trilogy. However, even when separate, Daffy’s star shines bright enough to carry the franchise on his back as a beloved icon of animation.
1. Bugs Bunny
In all of animation, there isn’t a single character more iconic, more legendary, more beloved than Bugs Bunny. He’s the hero we all want to be: brave, sharp, funny, and wickedly intelligent. Seldom the aggressor, Bugs is nearly always depicted as being wronged in some way—and that’s why he sets out to get revenge. By the time he’s finished messing with them, his schemes make them regret the day they ever crossed paths with him. He isn’t the strongest but he sure is the coolest, and that makes Bugs the best of them. He’s what we should all try to be: calm under pressure, funny, quick-witted, and blessed with razor-sharp intelligence. Read next: The best cartoon TV characters of all time, ranked
