Do you know who the first superhero was? Nope, it wasn’t Superman. Superman didn’t come to life until 1938. But, cereal mascots have been around since 1933.
The cerealverse existed long before the Marvel or DC universes did, and we had the first superheroes. Mascots are a big part of being an OG (Original Giant) in the cerealverse.
A mascot brings the cereal to life. In the cereal aisle, you don’t look for the name; you look for the face. And, breakfast cereal mascots make sure that you never eat your morning cereal alone.
So, who is in the cereal mascot hall of fame? Here’s the list, and while we are at it, let’s play some cereal mascot trivia. Leave your answers in the comments.
Sections
Tony The Tiger – Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes Cereal
You can’t even talk about the most famous cereal mascots without Tony the Tiger as the first name out your mouth. In fact, Tony is more famous than Frosted Flakes are. Easily, Tony is the most iconic cereal mascot in the cerealverse.
Frosted Flakes, originally called Sugar Frosted Flakes, were launched in 1952, with the original Tony on the cover and his legendary catchphrase. As we know, all great superheroes have a catchphrase, right.
Back then, Tony was more housecat than the human-like tiger we know today. Is it possible that Stewie’s head (from Family Guy) was influenced by the original Tony? Take a look for yourself. Do you know the nationality of Tony the Tiger?
Buzz Bee – General Mill’s Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal
Honey Nut Cheerios arrived well after the rise of popular cereal mascots. Buzz Bee launched in 1979 with Honey Nut Cheerios, but he didn’t get his name Buzz Bee until the year 2000.
Honey Nut Cheerios is more famous than Buzz Bee is, but nonetheless, you can’t imagine that classic Cheerios box without him flying above the cereal. With that said, in 2017, General Mills pulled Buzz for the box cover. Do you know why?
Dig ‘Em Frog – Kellogg’s Honey Smacks
Though Honey Smacks (originally Sugar Smacks) was launched in 1953, Dig ’em Frog didn’t come to life until 1972. Dig ’em wasn’t the first mascot for Honey Smacks; there have been nearly 10. In fact, he was fired in 1986 and replaced. But, in 1997, he returned as the cereal mascot and remains so to this day. Do you know who replaced Dig ’em?
Sonny the Cuckoo – General Mill’s Cocoa Puffs Cereal
Did you know what a cuckoo bird was before Cocoa Puffs? Cocoa Puffs was launched in 1956, but Sonny, the Cuckoo Bird, didn’t arrive until 1962. Sonny, the Cuckoo Bird, has a tagline that has entered our vernacular for other reasons. Today, if someone is “cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs,” it means they’re crazy. But they could still love the cereal.
Sonny, the Cuckoo Bird wasn’t the only original mascot. Do you remember who he was partnered with?
Trix Rabbit – General Mill’s Trix Cereal
Trix was launched in 1954, and in 1959 Trix Rabbit arrived as its breakfast cereal mascot. Trix Rabbit has one of the saddest cereal mascot stories. While kids can enjoy Trix, Trix Rabbit is not allowed; “Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids.” Did the silly rabbit ever get to enjoy the cereal?
Captain Horatio Magellan Crunch – Quaker Oats Cap’n Crunch Cereal
Quaker Oats is a bit of a quiet OG, but Cap’n Crunch cereal isn’t. Crunch berries are legendary in the cerealverse. Do you know who the Cap’n Crunch cereal mascot is? Well, it’s Captain Horatio Magellan Crunch.
Yea, the name Captain Horatio Magellan Crunch is a bit of a stretch for a cereal mascot name, but his image is one of the most popular cereal mascots. He is also a mascot that has brought much controversy to the cerealverese. Cap’n crunch launched in 1963 with the captain on the cereal boxes. But is the mascot of Cap’n Crunch really a US naval captain?
Quisp – Quaker Oats Quisp Cereal
A tragic story of the cerealverse. Quisp was roughly 5 when we lost his cereal boxes. Launched in 1965 and ending in the 70s, Quisp would be in his 50s today. But, do you know what major step for the cerealverse Quisp represents?
Toucan Sam – Kellogg’s Froot Loops Cereal
Toucan Sam is also one of the most famous cereal mascots. Both the tropical fruity taste of Froot Loops and Toucan Sam were launched together in 1963. Toucan Sam has made cameos in more places than the cereal aisle. He’s been on both The Simpsons and Family Guy. What major controversy recently happened between Froot Loops and Toucan Sam?
Count Chocula – General Mill’s Count Chocula Cereal
The original of the monster cereals, Count Chocula cereal, launched in 1971 with Count Chocula on the cereal box. Another one of the most famous cereal mascots, but also the most famous of the monster cereal mascots(Franken Berry and Boo Berry being the others).
Of the monster cereals (which also included Fruit Brute), Count Chocula cereal is the only one in regular production. Who is the fourth monster?
Sugar Bear on Golden Crisp by Post
Launched in 1948, Golden Crisp originally featured 3 bear mascots, but by the end of the 50s, Sugar Bear (who was not 1 of the 3) became the only mascot. As one of the most sugary cereals, its sweet smell and taste created more of a kid following than Sugar Bear did. What fruit flavor did Golden Crisp try?
Lucky the Leprechaun – General Mill’s Lucky Charms Cereal
They’re magically delicious, and they should be with all of the leprechaun magic. And that leprechaun magic is still going strong today. Lucky Charms used television commercials very effectively by altering theme songs instead of sticking with only one. Do you know what the marshmallows are really called?
Snap, Crackle, and Pop – Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Cereal
Believe it or not, Rice Krispies was the first OG to have a mascot, though it’s not the trio we know today. Kellogg’s created Rice Krispies in 1928 and had long wanted to bring life to their cereal boxes. Introducing the first cereal mascots.
In 1933, as the first of the cerealverse’s cereal mascots, a gnome appeared on the box. However, later that year, the gnome transitioned into the beloved trio of elves we still have today; Snap, Crackle, and Pop. Named after the snap crackle pop the cereal makes once milk is added.
As all cereal lovers know, Snap Crackle and Pop are brothers. But, did you know there is a fourth elf brother and who he is?
Mini – Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats
Cereals have wellness issues too, and the split personality of Mini has always concerned us. Then again, if you grew up with the Raisin Bran Sun and the Corn Flakes green rooster Cornelius Rooster, it’s expected you could have some issues. Launched in 1969, no one is quite sure when Mini showed up, though.
Crazy Craving – Post Honeycomb
One of the youngest mascots, Crazy Cravings, has only been around since 1995, 30-years after the launch of Honeycomb. However, recently with the appearance of Bernard, the Bee Boy, we fear the future of Crazy. Not really; it’s America. The future of crazy is in good hands.
FAQs
What’s Tony the Tiger’s catchphrase?
Every American knows Tony the Tiger. It is almost a guarantee that in the 1980s, more kids in grade school knew Tony the Tiger’s famous 2-word phrase than knew the famous 3-word phrase that starts the Preamble to the US Constitution. That’s probably because “They’re grrrrrreat!” (It’s We The People, by the way)
Are there any female cereal mascots?
In 2020, a new cereal brand called OffLimits launched with a high-strung but high-achieving female mascot named Dash. Traditionally though, cereal mascots tend to be male. However, Wilma Flintstone did make an appearance without Fred Flintstone on the cover of Marshmallow Pebbles.
How many mascots does Kellogg’s have?
Kellogg’s has over 20 mascots, including some of the biggest in the cerealverse. They include:
- Coco the Monkey
- Dig ‘Em the Frog
- Snap, Crackle, and Pop
- Tony the Tiger
- Toucan Sam
- Yogi Bear
In 2019, Kellogg’s produced a special box with 6 of its most famous mascots on the cover to promote unity, tolerance, and inclusion.
What year did Lucky Charms cereal come out?
In the cerealverse, St. Patrick’s Day is recognized with special admiration for Lucky the Leprechaun and his Lucky Charms. Why? Because “they’re magically delicious,” of course. In 1964, St. Patrick’s Day was March 17th, and on March 20th, Lucky Charms was launched by General Mills.
Final Thoughts
And those are the most famous cereal mascots in the cerealverse. So, how did you do with the trivia questions? Did you cheat? Don’t worry if you didn’t know the answers. We won’t leave you in the dark.
The answers:
- The tiger is…
- The missing Buzz
- Dig ’em’s replacement
- Sonny the Cuckoo Bird partner
- Twix Rabbit saga
- Cap’n Crunch and the Napoleon style hat scandal
- Quisp 2001 – one small step for cereal, one giant step for the cerealverse
- Froot Loops and Toucan Sam controversy
- The fourth monster
- The forbidden fruit
- Lucky’s secret
- The fourth brother
