Rudolph Perz, the ad man who created the <strong>Pillsbury Doughboy</strong>, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2015%2F04%2F02%2Fnews%2Fcompanies%2Frudolph-perz-pillsbury-doughboy%2F">died this week at 89</a>. The giggly fella, pictured here at the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, has been appearing in Pillsbury ads since 1965. Here are some other famous mascot characters created over the years to advertise food products.
Rudolph Perz, the ad man who created the Pillsbury Doughboy, died this week at 89. The giggly fella, pictured here at the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, has been appearing in Pillsbury ads since 1965. Here are some other famous mascot characters created over the years to advertise food products.
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Kellogg's has employed the booming-voiced enthusiasm of <strong>Tony the Tiger </strong>-- "They're greeeeat!" -- since 1951 to sell its Frosted Flakes cereal. In this photo Tony phones Battle Creek, Michigan from London as part of a marketing campaign in 2012.
Kellogg's has employed the booming-voiced enthusiasm of Tony the Tiger -- "They're greeeeat!" -- since 1951 to sell its Frosted Flakes cereal. In this photo Tony phones Battle Creek, Michigan from London as part of a marketing campaign in 2012.
Getty Images for Kellogg's
<strong>Ronald McDonald</strong> began appearing as the primary mascot for McDonald's restaurants in the 1960s. The fast-food chain once claimed that 96% of American schoolchildren recognized the clown in a survey. Here Ronald chats with customers in 2011 at a restaurant in Tokyo.
Ronald McDonald began appearing as the primary mascot for McDonald's restaurants in the 1960s. The fast-food chain once claimed that 96% of American schoolchildren recognized the clown in a survey. Here Ronald chats with customers in 2011 at a restaurant in Tokyo.
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The <strong>California Raisins</strong>, a rhythm-and-blues group animated by the process of claymation, were created in the 1980s to promote the California raisin industry and became a phenomenon. Here they perform their hit, "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," in a 1988 ice show in Los Angeles.
The California Raisins, a rhythm-and-blues group animated by the process of claymation, were created in the 1980s to promote the California raisin industry and became a phenomenon. Here they perform their hit, "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," in a 1988 ice show in Los Angeles.
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"He likes it!" In one of the most famous TV ads of all time, a finicky youngster named <strong>Mikey</strong> surprises his older brothers by taking a liking to Life cereal. The commercial, with John Gilchrist as Mikey, aired nationally from 1972 through 1984.
"He likes it!" In one of the most famous TV ads of all time, a finicky youngster named Mikey surprises his older brothers by taking a liking to Life cereal. The commercial, with John Gilchrist as Mikey, aired nationally from 1972 through 1984.
Quaker Oats Co./AP
The <strong>Jolly Green Giant </strong>was created in the 1920s as the mascot of the Minnesota-based Green Giant brand of canned and frozen vegetables, now owned by General Mills. This 55-foot-tall Jolly Green Giant statue was erected in 1977 in Blue Earth, Minnesota.
The Jolly Green Giant was created in the 1920s as the mascot of the Minnesota-based Green Giant brand of canned and frozen vegetables, now owned by General Mills. This 55-foot-tall Jolly Green Giant statue was erected in 1977 in Blue Earth, Minnesota.
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Leo Burnett Worldwide, the advertising agency that created the Pillsbury Doughboy and Tony the Tiger, also invented the <strong>Keebler Elves</strong> in 1968. (The elves lived in a hollow tree, triggering jokes about how their baking habits were a fire hazard.) Here an Ernie Keebler mascot rings the closing NASDAQ bell in New York on September 23, 2013.
Leo Burnett Worldwide, the advertising agency that created the Pillsbury Doughboy and Tony the Tiger, also invented the Keebler Elves in 1968. (The elves lived in a hollow tree, triggering jokes about how their baking habits were a fire hazard.) Here an Ernie Keebler mascot rings the closing NASDAQ bell in New York on September 23, 2013.
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The iconic face of <strong>Betty Crocker</strong> -- a skilled but accessible homemaker -- has appeared on General Mills' cake mixes and other food products since 1921. Betty's look has changed several times over the years, although General Mills has used this likeness since 1986.
The iconic face of Betty Crocker -- a skilled but accessible homemaker -- has appeared on General Mills' cake mixes and other food products since 1921. Betty's look has changed several times over the years, although General Mills has used this likeness since 1986.
General Mills/AP
The <strong>Mr. Peanut</strong> mascot was created for the Planters company almost 100 years ago by a schoolboy in a contest. A dapper fellow in a top hat, gloves and cane, Mr. Peanut entertains the crowd during a baseball event on August 6, 2014, in Winnetka, Illinois.
The Mr. Peanut mascot was created for the Planters company almost 100 years ago by a schoolboy in a contest. A dapper fellow in a top hat, gloves and cane, Mr. Peanut entertains the crowd during a baseball event on August 6, 2014, in Winnetka, Illinois.
Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images for Planters
Anheuser-Busch created <strong>Spuds MacKenzie</strong> in the late 1980s as a fictional mascot for its Bud Light brand of beer. The spot-eyed dog, actually a female Bull Terrier, spawned cultural references and piles of merchandise before the brewer retired Spuds from commercials in 1989.
Anheuser-Busch created Spuds MacKenzie in the late 1980s as a fictional mascot for its Bud Light brand of beer. The spot-eyed dog, actually a female Bull Terrier, spawned cultural references and piles of merchandise before the brewer retired Spuds from commercials in 1989.
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<strong>Toucan Sam</strong> has been Kellogg's mascot for its Froot Loops cereal since 1963. Each stripe on his beak represents a flavor of the pieces in the cereal. In this undated photo, Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie appear with a box of Froot Loops on NBC News' "Today" show.
Toucan Sam has been Kellogg's mascot for its Froot Loops cereal since 1963. Each stripe on his beak represents a flavor of the pieces in the cereal. In this undated photo, Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie appear with a box of Froot Loops on NBC News' "Today" show.
Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire/Getty Images
The Leo Burnett agency created <strong>Charlie the Tuna</strong> in 1961 as a mascot for StarKist canned tunafish. The agency's ads, with their famous "Sorry, Charlie" slogan, ran for decades and inspired a catchphrase. Here the mascot attends Charlie the Tuna's 50th birthday celebration on February 11, 2011 in New York City.
The Leo Burnett agency created Charlie the Tuna in 1961 as a mascot for StarKist canned tunafish. The agency's ads, with their famous "Sorry, Charlie" slogan, ran for decades and inspired a catchphrase. Here the mascot attends Charlie the Tuna's 50th birthday celebration on February 11, 2011 in New York City.
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<strong>Morris the Cat</strong>, a finicky orange tabby, became famous in commercials for 9 Lives cat food, in which his sarcastic voiceover would turn up his nose at other brands. At least three cats have played Morris since the 1960s. Here Morris the Cat poses on the set of "The Price is Right" on June 24, 2008 in Los Angeles.
Morris the Cat, a finicky orange tabby, became famous in commercials for 9 Lives cat food, in which his sarcastic voiceover would turn up his nose at other brands. At least three cats have played Morris since the 1960s. Here Morris the Cat poses on the set of "The Price is Right" on June 24, 2008 in Los Angeles.
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<strong>Cap'n Crunch </strong>was launched in 1963 to market a kids' breakfast cereal for Quaker Oats. The cereal became hugely popular and spawned such spinoff varieties as Crunch Berries and Peanut Butter Crunch. Here model Chrissy Teigen poses on the beach with Cap'n Crunch on April 16, 2014 in Los Angeles.
Cap'n Crunch was launched in 1963 to market a kids' breakfast cereal for Quaker Oats. The cereal became hugely popular and spawned such spinoff varieties as Crunch Berries and Peanut Butter Crunch. Here model Chrissy Teigen poses on the beach with Cap'n Crunch on April 16, 2014 in Los Angeles.
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