Joe Hardaway had a long career in the movies — specifically cartoons. He did everything over time — voices, script and gag writer, and director. By the time he died in 1957, he had contributed great things to the so-called Golden Age of Hollywood Animation.
Joe was known to his friend as Bugs — like gangster Bugsy Siegel, who was hitting all the headlines at that time. The name meant “Crazy as a bedbug” in the slang of that era.
Hardaway was working with all the biggies of that time, including Walter Lantz (Woody Woodpecker creator) and Friz Freleng and Chuck Jones at Warner Brothers. The story
department at Warners wanted a rabbit character for their next project “A Wild Hare.” Hardaway drafted a sketch which the department suggested, labeling it “Bugs’ Bunny” (That is a possessive — a bunny designed by Bugs Hardaway). The art department approved and for some reason (accounts vary) they kept the name Bugs Bunny.
In his first appearance, Bugs had a different catch-phrase — “Jiggers, fellers.” It didn’t catch on, and they finally settled on “What’s up, doc?”
Research will show you that the first Bugs Bunny looks nothing like what you now know. He evolved from a supporting player to a big star — arguably the biggest cartoon star this side of Mickey Mouse.
Hardaway went on to help Lantz develop Woody Woodpecker, and he actually supplied the voice for many years after Mel Blanc pioneered the well-known Woody laugh.
The rest — as they say — is history.
The story is now legend. But you heard it here — the biggest bunny in show biz started out as a supporting bit that stole the show.
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