Santa Claus is a traditional, secular figure of Christmas good cheer, who is the best known (at least in modern times) mascot of Christmas, developed in the United States as an amalgam of the story of St. Nicholas and various other seasonal folk heroes, with many aspects provided by the classic poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas".
Background[]
The Santa Claus myth is based largely on the Dutch holiday of "Sinterklaas" (a hastily pronounced "St. Nicholas", who comes down the chimney on the fifth/sixth of December) and the imagery of the Saint in question carried over to his North Pole incarnation. (Note that in several countries in Europe, Sinterklaas and Santa Claus are considered two entirely different characters, each with their own elaborate holiday).
It is unknown where Santa came from, but he is traditionally depicted as a festively overweight old man with a beard, who wears a red suit with white trim and a matching cap, black boots, and a black belt. Sometimes, he is seen with buttons on his shirt. He lives at the North Pole in a large workshop staffed by elves which produce toys year round, and every Christmas Eve he sets out in a flying sleigh pulled by eight reindeer (occasionally nine depending on how foggy the sky is, as he occasionally brings Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer along) and delivers toys and other gifts to the children of the world out of the improbably large sack he carries with him, entering their houses by the chimney, filling their stockings, partaking of whatever food and drink the family left out for him, then leaving how he came in.
As the most prominent figure associated with Christmas, Santa appears in many Christmas specials and movies, including several produced by Disney. His portrayal in them varies in many ways.
During the Christmas season, characters will occasionally dress as Santa at The Annex in Hong Kong Disneyland.
Santa is referenced in the Guardians of the Galaxy episode "Jingle Bell Rock" by Drax the Destroyer as "a fat bearded man in a hoversled powered by underfed moombas".
In Dave the Barbarian, they don't celebrate Christmas, they celebrate something called the Harvest Festival which has a Santa Claus-like figure known as the Harvest Hog.
Appearances[]
Animated productions[]
Picture | Production(s) | Performer |
---|---|---|
Silly Symphonies | Allan Watson William Geiger | |
In Santa's Workshop, Santa reads letters from children as he prepares for his big night. This same version of Santa was seen again the following year in The Night Before Christmas as he embarks upon a home filled with children. | ||
TaleSpin | N/A | |
Santa was mentioned in the episode "Jolly Molly Christmas". Eventually, at the end of the episode, Molly Cunningham, and eventually the others, see him flying in the sky, though he is kept off-camera. | ||
Darkwing Duck | Jim Cummings | |
Santa Claus makes a cameo appearance at the end of "It's a Wonderful Leaf". | ||
Bonkers | Hal Smith | |
In "Miracle at the 34th Precinct", while testing out in his new sleigh, Santa accidentally falls out and lands in Burbank, California, where he loses his memory and hangs out with Fall-Apart Rabbit, who nicknames him Jim. | ||
The Nightmare Before Christmas | Edward Ivory | |
Santa is held captive by Oogie Boogie while Jack Skellington poses in his place. This version also appeared in Kingdom Hearts II. | ||
The Shnookums and Meat Funny Cartoon Show | Brad Garrett | |
Santa appeared in the short "Jingle Bells, Something Smells". | ||
Recess | James Earl Jones | |
Santa Claus appears in the episode "Yes, Mikey, Santa Does Shave". Unlike in the other specials, the real Santa is depicted here as an African-American man with a cleanly-shaven beard. | ||
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command | Earl Boen | |
Santa appears in the episode "Holiday Time". He operates out of the planet North Polaris, where utilizing an interstellar sleigh and a time-manipulation device, delivers presents to all the planets within the Galactic Alliance. However, Emperor Zurg manages to steal the time-manipulation device and seeks to use it to ruin Christmas for everyone. Santa enlists the help of Buzz and his crew, though Buzz doubts that Santa is the real deal. | ||
House of Mouse | Corey Burton | |
The version of Santa from the Silly Symphonies shorts made a guest appearance on House of Mouse in the episode "Clarabelle's Christmas List". He was also mentioned in The Stolen Cartoons when Goofy asked if "The Show Must Go On Clause" was related to Santa Claus. | ||
Little Einsteins | N/A | |
Santa appears in the episode "The Christmas Wish". After Annie makes her wish, the team spots Santa in the skies and they all wave to him. | ||
Sheriff Callie's Wild West | Kevin Michael Richardson | |
In the episode "Toby's Christmas Critter", a gang of animal rustlers steals Santa's sleigh. Toby Cactus enlists the help of Comet the reindeer so Sheriff Callie and Deputy Peck can stop the rustlers. After Toby helps save Christmas and says goodbye to Comet, Santa's voice can be heard as his sleigh flies away toward the night sky. | ||
Higglytown Heroes | John Astin | |
Santa appears in "Twinkle's Wish". | ||
Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas | Chuck McCann | |
Santa Claus physically appears in the segments "Christmas Impossible" and "Mickey's Dog-Gone Christmas". | ||
Brandy & Mr. Whiskers | Stephen Root | |
In "On Whiskers, On Lola, On Cheryl and Meryl", Santa is accidentally injured by Brandy and forced to rest in the jungle while she, Mr. Whiskers and their close friends travel over the world and deliver the gifts instead. | ||
American Dragon: Jake Long | John Goodman | |
Santa is one of the judges in Eli Excelsior Pandarus' Miss Mystical World pageant in "Eye of the Beholder". He appears again in "Hairy Christmas", in the mall with Jake. He was also mentioned in "The Hong Kong Longs", by Jonathan on his, Susan, Haley, Spud, Trixie and Fu while he was asking Fu if mystical creatures are real, even Santa. | ||
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse | Dee Bradley Baker | |
Santa made his first appearance in this series in "Mickey Saves Santa", in which Mrs. Claus, Mickey and Donald, journey off to Mistletoe Mountain to rescue a stranded Santa. He became an occasional recurring character and played a surprise role in "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Choo-Choo Express". | ||
File:Pooh's Super Sleuth Christmas Movie - Santa Claus.jpg | My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Pooh's Super Sleuth Christmas Movie | Jeffrey Tambor |
File:Santa Claus in PnF.jpg | Phineas and Ferb | Dan Povenmire ("I, Brobot") Clancy Brown (Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation!) |
In "I, Brobot", during a "summer run", Santa made use of the Chimney Vator, one of the many systems the O.W.C.A. has in place to transport its agents to and from their lairs around the world. During the ride, he met Agent P. Santa saved Agent P later in the day by catching the electromagnet on his sleigh that Dr. Doofenshmirtz had released from a crane, intending to crush Agent P. For this "summer run", Santa did not require the full complement of reindeer to pull the sleigh.
In Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation!, Phineas and friends finish delivering gifts across Danville and find the sauna being used in the rest stop for Santa that Phineas and Ferb built atop the Flynn-Fletcher house. Santa chuckled, seemingly expecting for all of this to happen. He also reads Phineas' letter, saying all Phineas wished for was to be like him. Santa is also Phineas' greatest hero, delivering gifts to everyone in one night, something even he possibly couldn't do. He then takes Phineas' gift with him, thanks the kids for doing Danville for him then leaves. The next morning, Phineas and friends find gifts under their trees, all from Santa. Santa is a hero to Phineas as he is able to deliver toys to all the children around the world in one night. ("Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation!") In "Wizard of Odd", Santa is seen walking the The Yellow Sidewalk with aliens, Abraham Lincoln, and Sergei Kushnarov while Isabella (the good witch) was wanting them to take the sidewalk. | ||
File:Santa-TheReplacements.jpg | The Replacements | Daran Norris |
In "Dick Daring's All-Star Holiday Stunt Spectacular V", Santa appears in a sketch where Todd tries to replace him with different types of Santas. | ||
Prep & Landing series | William Morgan Sheppard | |
The Prep & Landing specials revolve around a special group of elves that prepare the homes that Santa, codenamed the "Big Guy", visits during the Christmas Eve night. His face is never fully shown onscreen, except from a distance in a few shots in Operation: Secret Santa. | ||
Doc McStuffins | Jeffrey Tambor | |
Santa appears in the episode "A Very McStuffins Christmas". | ||
Mickey Mouse | Kevin Michael Richardson | |
Santa appears in the episode "Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special" and is inspired by the Silly Symphonies Santa Claus. | ||
Puppy Dog Pals | Henry Winkler | |
DuckTales (2017) | Hugh Bonneville | |
In the DuckTales reboot, Santa is an anthropomorphic polar bear. Santa & Scrooge McDuck use to be partners, until the two had a falling out over Santa not wanting to charge others for what they delivered. Since then, Scrooge held a grudge against him. He appears in the episode "How Santa Stole Christmas!", where the two make amends. | ||
Big City Greens | Christopher Lloyd | |
Santa appears in the episode "Green Christmas" where he comes to the aid of Cricket Green after he realizes that he ruined Christmas for his sister Tilly. The top of his face is never shown, though his cheek bones are visibly orange. | ||
T.O.T.S. | Fred Tatasciore | |
Santa makes an appearance in the episode "Santa Baby". His face is never seen. |
Live-action productions[]
Picture | Production(s) | Performer |
---|---|---|
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color: "Holiday Time at Disneyland" (TV) | Paul Maxey | |
One Magic Christmas | Jan Rubes | |
Santa and Gideon the Christmas Angel help Ginny Grainger find the spirit of Christmas. | ||
Ernest Saves Christmas | Douglas Seale Oliver Clark | |
This Santa was originally a man named Seth Applegate until he was handed down the job of Santa Claus in 1889, but the magic grew weaker over time. The only way to restore its full strength was to pass it on to someone else. Which he did with local celebrity Joe Carruthers Afterwards he resumes his old forgotten life. | ||
The Santa Clause trilogy The Santa Clauses |
Tim Allen | |
Scott is a divorced father who is down on his luck when he accidentally kills Santa Claus and inadvertently becomes the new Father Christmas. | ||
Santa Who? (TV) | Leslie Nielsen | |
The Ultimate Christmas Present (TV) | John B. Lowe | |
'Twas the Night (TV) | Jefferson Mappin | |
That's So Raven (TV) | Ernie Sabella | |
A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (TV) | Richard Griffiths | |
Santa Buddies (DTV) | George Wendt | |
The Search for Santa Paws (DTV) | Richard Riehle | |
Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups (DTV) | Pat Finn | |
All I Need is Love (Internet) | Craig Robinson | |
Imagination Movers (TV) | David Titus | |
Santa appears in the episode "Happy Ha-Ha Holidays!" The Movers help him regain his signature "ho-ho-ho" laugh when it disappears. | ||
Shake it Up (TV) | Stuart Pankin | |
Austin & Ally (TV) | Jim O'Heir | |
Noelle (Disney+) | Brayan Brendle | |
Santa only appears at the beginning to bequeath his son, Nick, with a Santa hat. He dies sometime afterwards. | ||
Christmas...Again?! (TV) | Gary Anthony Williams | |
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (Disney+) | David Moskowitz | |
Santa only appears as a cameo at Hollywood Boulevard. | ||
Dashing Through the Snow (Disney+) | Lil Rel Howery | |
Characters dressing as Santa Claus[]
Picture | Character | Production(s) | Notes | |
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Original Disney characters | ||||
File:Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Empty Socks poster.png | Oswald the Lucky Rabbit | Empty Socks | ||
File:15410.jpg File:1932-deed-4.jpg File:Mickey as Santa.jpg |
Mickey Mouse |
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File:Donald as Santa.jpg | Donald Duck |
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Donald dresses up as Santa as part of a trick he's pulling on Chip and Dale. | |
File:Max and Goofy-3.png File:Goofy as Santa.jpg |
Goofy |
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File:Tumblr ngp1l9gb7f1r3jmn6o1 1280.png | Dale | Pluto's Christmas Tree | ||
File:Big Bad Wolf as Santa.jpg | Big Bad Wolf | Mickey's Christmas Carol | The Big Bad Wolf is seen after the opening credits, saying "Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas to one and all!" | |
File:Scrooge as Santa.jpg | Scrooge McDuck | Walt Disney's Holiday Parade #1 cover DuckTales: "Moonvasion!" |
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File:Louie as Santa.jpg | Louie | TaleSpin: "Jolly Molly Christmas" | Louie dresses up as Santa to make Molly Cunningham believe that he exists. | |
File:DarkwingXmas.jpg | Drake Mallard | Darkwing Duck: "It's a Wonderful Leaf" | ||
File:Darkwing Duck It's a Wonderful Leaf Bushroot as Santa Claus.JPG | Bushroot | Darkwing Duck: "It's a Wonderful Leaf" | ||
File:Pooh as Santa.jpg | Winnie the Pooh | Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too | ||
File:Pete as Santa.jpg | Pete |
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File:Jack.Santa.jpg | Jack Skellington | |||
File:Lucky as Santa.jpg | Lucky Piquel | Bonkers: "Miracle at the 34th Precinct" | ||
File:Mikey as Santa.jpg | Mikey Blumberg |
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File:Max as Santa.jpg | Max Goof | Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas | ||
File:Pumbaa as Santa.jpg | Pumbaa | Timon & Pumbaa: "Don't Be Elfish" | ||
File:Donald's Grizzly Guest - Humphrey as Santa.png | Humphrey the Bear | Mickey Mouse Works: "Donald's Grizzly Guest" | ||
File:ADogForAllSeasons.jpg | Spot Helperman | Teacher's Pet: "A Dog for All Seasons" | ||
File:Wade as Santa.jpg | Wade | Kim Possible: "A Very Possible Christmas" | ||
File:Nigelsanta.jpg | Nigel Nightshade | Quack Pack: "Pride Goeth Before the Fall Guy" | ||
File:McFist Santa Claus.png | Hannibal McFist | Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja: "Silent Punch, Deadly Punch" | ||
File:Gantu-santa.jpg | Gantu | Lilo & Stitch: The Series: "Topper" | ||
File:Baymax as Santa.jpg | Baymax | Big Hero 6: The Series: "The Present" | ||
File:Santa Rolley.jpeg | Rolly | Puppy Dog Pals: "A.R.F." | When Bingo and Rolly realize they've covered the house's floor with soap, they rush towards the laundry room. Rolly then slips on the soap, covering his face with it in a shape that resembles Santa's hat and beard. A small part of the beginning of the song "Jingle Bells" can then be heard as Rolly goes "Ho, ho, ho." | |
Muppets | ||||
File:Santagonzo.jpg | Gonzo | The Muppet Show: "Episode 517: Hal Linden" | Gonzo dressed up as Santa with his chickens as Santa's reindeer in a holiday mix-up medley. | |
File:BabyAnimalSanta.jpg | Baby Animal | Muppet Babies: "Pigerella" | Baby Animal dresses up as Santa to show who would come down the chimney that Baby Piggy must clean. | |
File:Kermit as Santa.jpg | Kermit the Frog | Promotional photo | Kermit once dressed as Santa to tell the story of The Christmas Toy, but his scenes were unfortunately cut from the special following Disney's acquisition of the character. | |
File:Santawolf.jpg | Big Bad Wolf | Muppet Classic Theater | The wolf dressed as Santa to infiltrate Sandy Pig's home. | |
File:Santahogg.jpg | Doc Hogg | Bear in the Big Blue House: "A Berry Bear Christmas" | Appears as "Santa Hogg" at the Woodland Valley Mall. | |
Miscellaneous Disney-related characters | ||||
File:No Screenshot.png | Ed | The Golden Girls: "Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas" | This was a man who was a Mall Santa who Blanche stood in line for an hour to sit on his lap and bring home to have sexual relations with. When Rose discovered them, she told him off for not behaving like a Santa should and then sent him on his way. | |
File:Woody with Knick Knack.jpeg | Woody | Toy Story That Time Forgot | When Bonnie is playing with her toys at the beginning of the film, one of the roles Woody is played as is Santa Claus. | |
File:BuzzLightyearasSantaClaus.png | Buzz Lightyear | Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: "Holiday Time" | ||
Sora | Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix | In Halloween Town, Sora takes on the appearance of a vampire. However, in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, whenever he appears in Christmas Town, Sora's attire changes to a black Santa Claus outfit. | ||
File:No Screenshot.png | Willie Stokes | Bad Santa | The character uses the job of Mall Santa as a cover for robbing safes from various malls, a crime he is implied to have committed several times in the past. |
Gallery[]
External links[]
- Santa Claus on Wikipedia
- Christmas Specials Wiki: Santa Claus
- Santa Claus at Non-Alien Creatures Wiki
- Santa Claus on Heroes Wiki.
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