Sylvester the Cat’s Birthday Celebrates the Looney Tunes Cat

Since the 1940s the animated antics of Sylvester the cat have tickled funny bones, so it comes as no surprise that fans of the fictional feline are tickled pink a special pet holiday is dedicated to the Looney Tunes tuxedo cat! 

When is Sylvester’s Birthday?

Sylvester’s birthday is celebrated every year on April 19.

Fun Facts about Sylvester

In celebration of Sylvester’s birthday, here are  a few fun facts about the cartoon kitty:  

Sylvester was created by Friz Freleng, a Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies animator/director who also introduced audiences to Tweety Bird, Bugs Bunny, Yosemite Sam, Porky Pig and other iconic cartoon characters. 

Before the Looney Tunes character came to life, cartoon great Mel Blanc (who provided the voice of Sylvester the cat from 1945 until 1989) spoke with Sylvester’s signature style of speech when voicing a different character (also named Sylvester) on the comedy radio series The Judy Canova Show. 

Although the name Sylvester certainly suits him, the cute tuxie was not known by this name until the animated short Scaredy Cat, which made its debut in 1948. In his first cartoon alongside Tweety Bird back in 1947 Sylvester was called Thomas, and prior to this appearance he was unnamed..  

Did you know that Sylvester’s full name is Sylvester James Pussycat, Sr.?

Did you know that the fictional feline was the spokescat for 9 Lives dry cat food from 1979 to 1983? 

The cartoon kitty and his fine-feathered frenemy Tweety Bird climbed to the number nine spot on the Billboard charts back in 1951 with the song “I Taut I Taw A Puddy-Tat.”  While this version was performed by Mel Blanc, entertainment icon Danny Kaye also recorded a version of the tune for his 1959 album Danny Kaye for Children.

Sylvester’s signature saying “Sufferin’ succotash” is believed to be a euphemism for the more strongly worded “Suffering Savior.” 

A cat who has been allotted more than nine lives, Sylvester has slipped this mortal coil onscreen at least 70 times. 

Brandishing a rifle and wearing a Davy Crockett-style raccoon cap, an image of Sylvester appears on the emblem of the US Air Force unit the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron.

Since 1957 a lightning bolt-bearing image of Sylvester in mid-pounce has appeared on the patch of the 151st Air Refueling Squadron of the Tennessee Air National Guard 134th Air Refueling Wing. 

Holding an anchor and a submarine, an image of Sylvester appears on the badge of the USS Alameda County.  

Far from the only famous black and white feline, Sylvester shares the spotlight with such tuxies as Felix, who made his screen debut back in 1919; Mr. Mistoffelees, who was immortalized in both T.S. Elliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS, and Mittens from the 2008 animated Disney flick Bolt. 

If you want to celebrate all black and white cats, you’ll find several Tuxedo Cat holidays! Tuxedo Cat Appreciation Day takes place on January 29th, Tuxie Appreciation Day is September 9th and National Tuxedo Cat Day is November 29th!

More Cat Holidays You Don’t Want to Miss!

National Black Cat Day

Maneki-Neko Day or Beckoning Cat Day

Ginger Cat Appreciation Day