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They join you for breakfast every morning. Shouldn’t you get to know them better?
1. THE QUAKER OATS MAN
The Quaker Oats Man is a con man! The company’s original owners had no connection to the Quakers, but they chose the mascot because he conveyed an image of value and integrity.
2. BUZZ THE HONEY NUT CHEERIOS BEE
Buzz the Honey Nut Cheerios Bee should sound familiar to Futurama fans. Billy West, who provides the voice for Fry, Professor Farnsworth, and Dr. Zoidberg on the show, also brings the cereal-loving bee to life.
3. TONY THE TIGER
Tony the Tiger has a lot of mouths to feed. From the 1950s on, ads gradually introduced his family: his son, Tony Jr.; his wife, Mrs. Tony; and his daughter, Antoinette.
4. THE PILLSBURY DOUGHBOY
The Pillsbury Doughboy was created by Chicago ad agency Leo Burnett in 1965. Original voice actor Paul Frees—better known as Boris from Rocky and Bullwinkle—created the trademark “Hoo, hoo!” laugh.
5. TOUCAN SAM
Toucan Sam helped Frees tighten his hold on breakfast voice-over work. The legendary Mel Blanc originally voiced Sam, but the gig eventually went to Frees, who developed the bird’s British accent.
6. FRED THE BAKER
The longtime Dunkin’ Donuts mascot was retired in 1997, but the company gave him a respectful send-off when it was time to stop making the doughnuts, including a parade through Boston.
This story originally appeared in mental_floss magazine. Subscribe to our print edition here, and our iPad edition here.