Famous Friday: Figaro The Cat

by Paws on Your Heart on December 6, 2013

Figaro the cat is the adorable black and white cartoon kitten that many people will recognize as Mister Geppetto’s pet cat in the 1940 Disney film, Pinocchio. In addition to his role in this popular film, this smart, spirited, and mischievous cat has also earned several other roles in many Disney animations.

In 1943, Figaro the cat became a Disney short film star. His first appearance was alongside Cleo, his goldfish co-star from Pinocchio in the short film Figaro and Cleo. After the success of this short film, he was the star of two more of his very own short films, Bath Day (1946) and Figaro and Frankie (1947). Figaro has also starred alongside Minnie Mouse as her pet cat in other Disney short films during this 1940s and the 1950s.

In addition to being the main character in his own films, Figaro the catwas also given his very own comic strip in the 1970s called Figaro’s Feline Friends. You can see one of these cute comics HERE.

As with many Disney characters, Figaro didn’t appear in any new cartoons for several decades. It wasn’t until the late 1990s and the early 2000s that Figaro was reintroduced as a character in two Disney specials, and as a cast member in Disney’s television series House of Mouse. After this reintroduction, Figaro has once again taken on the role of Minnie Mouse’s pet kitten.

Interesting Facts About Figaro:

  • He was a WWII mascot on RAF Ace Ian Gleed’s Hawker Hurricanes during the Battle of Britain, and on his Spritfire Mk. Vp Trop, which was flown over the Western Desert and the Mediterranean during the war.
  • Figaro the cat is one of the few animal characters that does not speak, wear clothes, or walk differently like the other Disney animal characters… he’s simply a kitten.

Who’s your favourite famous feline?  Is there a famous feline you’d like to see featured in one of our Famous Friday posts? Let us know in the comments section below.

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