Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

This article is about the character. For the song, see Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (song). For other uses, see Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (disambiguation).

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Cover of one of the books of the Robert L. May story by Maxton Publishers, Inc.
First appearance1939
Created byRobert L. May
Voiced byBillie Mae Richards (TV specials, 1964–1979)[1][2]
Kathleen Barr (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys)
In-universe information
NicknamesRudolph in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie: Red, Rudy, Rudy The Red-Nosed Reject, Neon-Nose
SpeciesReindeer
GenderMale
TitleThe Red Nosed Reindeer
FamilyDonner and Mrs. Donner (parents in 1964 TV special)
Blitzen (father in 1998 film)
Mitzi (mother in 1998 film)
Rusty (brother in Holidaze)
Arrow (cousin in 1998 film)
Comet, Cupid and Dasher (uncles in 1998 film)
Leroy, the Redneck Reindeer (cousin from the Joe Diffie song of the same name, on the album Mr. Christmas)
Robbie (son in Robbie the Reindeer)

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a fictional reindeer created by Robert L. May. Rudolph is usually depicted as the ninth and youngest of Santa Claus's reindeer, using his luminous red nose to lead the reindeer team and guide Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve. Though he initially receives ridicule for his nose as a fawn, the brightness of his nose is so powerful that it illuminates the team's path through harsh winter weather. Ronald D. Lankford, Jr., described Rudolph's story as "the fantasy story made to order for American children: each child has the need to express and receive approval for his or her individuality and/or special qualities. Rudolph's story embodies the American Dream for the child, writ large because of the cultural significance of Christmas."[3]

Rudolph first appeared in a 1939 booklet written by May and published by Montgomery Ward, the department store.[4][5][6]

The story is owned by The Rudolph Company, LP and has been adapted into numerous forms including the song by Johnny Marks, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Rudolph's Shiny New Year, and Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July from Rankin/Bass Productions, as well as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys from GoodTimes Entertainment.[7] Character Arts, LLC manages the licensing for the Rudolph Company, LP and DreamWorks Classics. In many countries, Rudolph has become a figure of Christmas folklore. 2014 marked the 75th anniversary of the character[8] and the 50th anniversary of the Rankin/Bass television special.[9] A series of postage stamps featuring Rudolph was issued by the United States Postal Service on November 6, 2014.[10]

  1. ^ Young, John (September 14, 2010). "Billie Mae Richards, voice of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, dies at 88". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012.
  2. ^ Ford, Don (November 19, 2010). "'Rudolph' remembered". My View. Halton, Ontario: InsideHalton.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2012. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  3. ^ Lankford, Ronald D. (2013). Sleigh Rides Jingle Bells & Silent Nights: A Cultural History of American Christmas Songs. Gainesville, Florida: University Press of Florida. p. 86. ISBN 978-0813044927.
  4. ^ Mikkelson, Barbara; Mikkelson, David P. (December 19, 2010). "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". Urban Legends Reference Pages. Snopes.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  5. ^ Ramer, Holly; Talbot, Toby (photo) (December 23, 2011). "Scrapbook tells how Rudolph went down in history". Hanover, NH. Associated Press. Archived from the original on August 13, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  6. ^ Kim, Wook (December 17, 2012). "Yule Laugh, Yule Cry: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Beloved Holiday Songs". Time. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014.
  7. ^ Whipp, Deborah. "The History of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". Altogether Christmas.
  8. ^ Parrella, Andrew (December 18, 2014). "From The Archives: Rudolph Turns 75". New Hampshire Public Radio. Archived from the original on December 24, 2014.
  9. ^ "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer celebrates 50th anniversary". CBS News. December 9, 2014. Archived from the original on December 10, 2014.
  10. ^ "Rudolph all red-nosed over stamp of approval". United States Postal Service. November 6, 2014. Archived from the original on December 24, 2014. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the nation's longest-running and highest-rated Christmas television special 'went down in history' to receive its stamp of approval today. The set of four Limited Edition Forever stamps depicting Rudolph, Hermey, Santa and Bumble were created from still television frames from the special which premiered 50 years ago in 1964.