Bugs Bunny marks 86th anniversary of 1940 debut in “A Wild Hare”

On July 27 1940 the Warner Bros. cartoon Bugs Bunny made his official screen debut in the animated short “A Wild Hare”. Supervised by director Tex Avery and voiced by Mel Blanc, the film introduced the rabbit’s signature line “What’s up, Doc?” and paired him with hunter Elmer Fudd. The short earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Short and launched a series that became a cornerstone of American popular culture.

The anniversary is regularly noted in “this‑day” histories, highlighting Bugs Bunny’s lasting influence on animation, humor and the broader entertainment industry.