They’re cute, they’re furry and everybody likes them. The humble rabbit has burrowed itself into our affections and established itself as an icon of popular culture that we ignore at our peril. If you don’t believe me, just ask President Jimmy Carter.
Here's a list of some of the most famous bunnies:
Bugs Bunny
He's the Warner Brother's cartoon mascot that needs no introduction. "Born" (according to his official biography) in Brooklyn in 1940, he's the only cartoon rabbit with his own star on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame". Catchphrases include "What's up, Doc?" and "Of course you realize, dis means war!"
Duracell Bunny
Pink, furry and indomitable. Created for the Duracell battery ads, these bunnies are more famous in Europe than the U.S.A. but over the years they've developed into cult status. All you can say is "Down, down, down they go! Up, Up, Up, he goes!"
Peter Rabbit
Peter's getting on a bit these days but Beatrix Potter brought him to life back in 1902 and since then his series of books have sold more than 151 million copies in 35 languages. Pretty good going for a jacket losing, vegetable munching bunny whose arch nemesis is Mr McGregor.
Br'er Rabbit
Central to the Uncle Remus stories, Br'er Rabbit originates from folklore tales in the southern U.S.A. He's a tricky rabbit who uses his wiles to out think his opponents and get the best of the situation. He first hit a mainstream audience in America thanks to the books of Joel Chandler Harris and in Britain, Enid Blyton did the same. His best known story is "The Briar Patch", he features in the film "Song of the South" and has got his own Disney "thrill ride" Splash Mountain.
Watership Down Bunnies
Richard Adams's bestseller brings a tear to your "Bright Eyes". More rabbits than you can shake a stick at, including Hazel, Fiver, Dandelion and Bigwig. All of them must leave their home and travel to the nirvana of Watership Down. Mega Film - mega theme song ( well in the U.K. the Art Garfunkel film version sold over a million copies and was a Number One for six weeks in 1979). In 2000 along came the animated TV version.
Thumper
If you need a rabbit who's going to be your friend without reservation and teach you the tricky art of ice-skating, go no further, get Thumper. Hopping straight out of Disney's Bambi, Thumper gets his name from thumping the ground with his right hind leg.
Roger Rabbit/ Jessica Rabbit
Star of the eponymous film "Who framed Roger Rabbit". Roger lives in the Los Angeles of 1947, he's zany, he's wacky and he made an incredible $150 million for Amblin Entertainment when he was first released in 1988. Roger's sultry wife is Jessica who loves him because "He makes me laugh". She may look like a bombshell but as she says, "I'm not bad... I'm just drawn that way..."
Dillon
Forget Florence and Zebedee. If you want to relax and chill out under a cardboard tree, then take a leaf out of Dillon's book. Star of The Magic Roundabout, Dillon's the kind of rabbit that is permanently spaced out in a good sort of way. Best version of our laid back friend is in the 1960's TV series.
White Rabbit
Not many rabbits have a snazzy stopwatch and are constantly late but the White Rabbit is one of Lewis Carroll's finest creations from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. "Oh my ears and Whiskers!"
Harvey
OK, so you may not have seen this invisible, six foot, three and a half inch white rabbit but that doesn't mean he's not there! After all, if you've got an Oscar winning film, several TV remakes and a hugely successful stage play all named after you; you must be doing something right.
Great work,
Onflame