A BRIEF Biography of Goofy

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Click here for a 16 minute video showing "The Evolution of Goofy"

Click here for a 12 minute video on "The Voice Evolution of Goofy"

Goofy first appeared in the cartoon "Mickey's Revue" (1932) as a bit player called Dippy Dawg, an obnoxious "laugher" in a barnyard audience, sporting whiskers and square spectacles. With "Orphan's Benefit" (1934) he got his name.

Goofy's first solo-starring vehicle was "Goofy and Wilbur" (1939), a cartoon that fully explored Goofy’s emotional range as he shared a fishing trip with his grasshopper pal. A new Disney star was born!

In 1941, Goofy began starring in a popular series of "how to" sporting films such as "The Art of Skiing." The Goof responds in pantomime to a droll professorial narrative, the stodgy seriousness of the narrator playing in sharp contrast to Goofy's clumsy demonstrations. The result is a hilarious visual depiction of "how NOT to" accomplish the task being described. Through it all, Goofy remains undaunted, ready to move on to the next lesson. It is perhaps for this series of nearly two dozen cartoons that Goofy's film career is most fondly remembered.

In the l960s, Goofy was frequently cast in suburban settings as the "common man," to showcase some of the pitfalls of modern living. He even shed his distinctive voice for some of these roles, using skills as an actor rather than his traditional persona.

Goofy became a motion picture star in his own 1995 film, “A Goofy Movie” followed in 2000 by a standalone sequel, "An Extremely Goofy Movie." He continues to be seen in Disney TV shows, home-video, and educational productions.

In 2021, the Disney+ streaming service released three all-new Goofy cartoons called "How To Stay At Home." These hand drawn (not CGI) shorts depict relatable and funny pandemic-era situations that many of have experienced: “How to Wear a Mask,” “Learning to Cook,” and “Binge Watching.” For all that we’ve been through, who better to give us a laugh and smile about it than Goofy?