Celebrate Tex Avery Day with us this February 22! Who doesn’t love the absurd, ironic, sarcastic, and even occasionally sexual tones of cartoons created by the cartoonist legend? Tex Avery’s full name is Frederick Bean Tex Avery, and he spearheaded the creative development of Warner Bros. and M.G.M. studios. He created iconic cartoons like “Looney Tunes” and “Gold Miner” and developed popular characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Droopy, etc. He also played a major role in shifting from the normal Disney cartoon model and created fast-paced and innovative shows that featured surrealist humor, racial stereotypes, and intense humor.
History of Tex Avery Day
Frederick Bean Tex Avery was born in Taylor, Texas, on February 26, 1908. Avery graduated from North Dallas School in 1926. He was interested in becoming a newspaper cartoonist, but he took a three-month course that he did not complete. He married his girlfriend, Patricia, in 1935, and she was a Universal Studios employee at the time.
Avery started his career in 1928 in Los Angeles. After spending a few months working menial jobs, he started working at Winkler Pictures as an inker. The studio did not last long, but during this time, he worked on the animated short film “Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.” He joined Universal Studio Cartoons (Walter Lantz Productions) as an inker, but he rapidly worked his way up and ended up as an animator by 1930. He worked under Bill Nolan, who gave Avery enough space to be creative. By 1935, Avery left Walter Lantz Productions, and he convinced Mr. Leon Schlesinger, a Warner Bros. producer, that he was an experienced director and got a job at Warner Bros. In the years that followed, he created his masterpieces and started developing less-realistic cartoon characters like Porky Pig and deviated from the realism normally used by studios like Disney.
Avery used innovative and daring ideas and techniques that changed cartoons. He had a great career and created characters that we still see today. His hometown of Taylor, Texas, even declared February 22 as a local holiday to honor his contributions. And even if the day isn’t a holiday for you, take the time, watch some “Looney Tunes,” and honor the genius that was Tex Avery.
Tex Avery Day timeline
Frederick Bean “Tex” Avery is born on February 26 in Taylor, Texas.
Avery produces his first animated short film, “Gold Diggers of '49” for Warner Bros.
Avery signs a five-year contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer or M.G.M.
Avery dies fighting lung cancer on August 26 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Burbank, California, at 72.
Tex Avery Day FAQs
What is Bugs Bunny’s middle name?
Believe it or not, the full name of the Bugs Bunny we all know and love is George Washington Bunny.
How many cartoons did Tex Avery direct?
Tex Avery created 67 cartoons for M.G.M., which included masterpieces like “Who Killed Who?” “Batty Baseball,” and “Screwball Squirrel.”
When did Tex Avery leave M.G.M?
Avery left M.G.M. in 1954, effectively ending his career in theatrical animation. He spent the rest of his career mostly directing T.V. commercials.
Tex Avery Day Activities
Share Tex Avery’s life
Share the life story of Tex Avery on social media. Help the new generation of kids understand Avery and his shows and the messages behind them.
Visit Taylor, Texas
Go ahead and visit Avery’s hometown. On Tex Avery Day, there will be programs conducted in his honor, so why not try to attend them all?
Watch Avery’s shows
What is easier and better than refreshing the memories of Avery’s genius in cartoon creation? Get the shows and binge-watch them on this day.
5 Interesting Facts About Tex Avery
He lost his eyesight
Avery lost sight in his left eye during horseplay with a paper clip at the Walter Lantz studio.
“What’s up, doc?”
Tex Avery created the official version of Bugs Bunny and gave him the catchphrase Avery and his schoolmates used.
Warner Bros. and M.G.M.
Avery worked for both Warner Bros. and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Cave Mouse
At the time of Avery’s death, he was developing a character named Cave Mouse.
No black and white
Avery preferred to work in color instead of black and white and had substantial budgets at the studios that employed him.
Why We Love Tex Avery Day
The golden age of cartoons
Tex Avery entered animation and cartoon creation when sound cartoons were very popular. However, he did not adhere to industry standards and created unique, fast-paced, witty, and loveable shows and characters.
He took the cartoons to the next level
Avery did not stick to the family-centric cartoon models. While giants like Disney were creating soft and kid-only cartoons, Avery boldly broke the rules and created shows that could speak to people of every age group.
Plenty of characters and shows to choose from
Avery created characters for everyone. No one could be bored with the characters he created! He did not stick to one type; his creations showcased complex and unique attitudes.
Tex Avery Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | February 22 | Saturday |
| 2026 | February 22 | Sunday |
| 2027 | February 22 | Monday |
| 2028 | February 22 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | February 22 | Thursday |
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