How Well Do You Know the Pillsbury Doughboy?

A playful kitchen helper, the Doughboy has been bringing a touch of fun to kitchens for nearly 60 years. (Talk about looking young for your age!). But how well do you really know Poppin’ Fresh? What’s the story behind his infectious laugh and twinkly eyes? Here’s a peek at the Doughboy’s origin story, some fresh facts about his life, and a rundown of his adorable signature traits.

You likely know him as the Pillsbury Doughboy, but he also answers to the name Poppin’ Fresh. Even though his adorably famous face is known the world over, there’s nothing this scrumptious celebrity likes more than lending a helping hand in the kitchen. Whether it’s getting weeknight dinners on the table fast or baking up sweet treats and magical memories to share with your loved ones, Poppin’ Fresh is always there for you with a bit of encouragement, a clever shortcut (Pillsbury Crescent Rolls are his favorite!), and his signature giggle, “Hoo hoo!” 

The idea for the Pillsbury Doughboy was born on March 18, 1965. Rudy Perz, a copywriter working on the Pillsbury account for Leo Burnett advertising agency in Chicago, came up with an idea for a brand mascot who would pop out of a can of refrigerated dough. Perz said inspiration for the character struck while he was testing out Pillsbury™ dough in his own kitchen. He named his creation Poppin’ Fresh—a nod to the product’s quality and freshness. 

Milt Schaffer was the designer who originally helped the Pillsbury Doughboy take shape. Rudy Perz worried the character might bear a bit too close of a resemblance to Casper the friendly ghost, but Schaffer’s design helped resolve that.

To bring the Doughboy to life, Leo Burnett partnered with Cascade Studios in Los Angeles to use stop-motion clay animation. Before computerization, it took 24 shots for every one second of commercial time. The initial Poppin’ Fresh model cost $16,000 to develop and had five bodies and 15 heads to allow for different positioning in the ads. In 1992 computer-generated imagery (CGI) technology replaced the original stop-motion version.

More than 50 actors auditioned to do the voice for the Pillsbury Doughboy, including Paul Winchell, also known as Tigger from “Winnie the Pooh.” Paul Frees (known for voicing Boris Badenov in “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle”) was the first voice actor for the character.

The Pillsbury Doughboy has been a hit from the very beginning. Just three years after his debut, the Doughboy had an 87 percent recognition factor among consumers! His popularity has continued through the years: There was a time when Pillsbury received 1,500 requests for autographed photos, and the Doughboy was receiving 200 fan letters a week.

• How big is he? Poppin’ Fresh is 8 ¾ inches tall (with his chef hat, of course!) and weighs 14 oz. 
• The Doughboy is an accomplished actor, having starred in more than 600 ads for 50 products. 
• In 2009, Poppin’ Fresh took to the sky when he made his debut as a balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. The 54-foot-tall Pillsbury Doughboy balloon is part of the parade to this day!
• Poppin’ Fresh celebrated his 50th birthday in 2015. (He really does look young for his age!)

The Doughboy’s very first commercial aired on November 7, 1965. He made quite an impression on his soon-to-be adoring public when he popped out of a can of Pillsbury™ dough and announced, “I’m Poppin’ Fresh, the Pillsbury Doughboy!”

Poppin’ Fresh also starred in a commercial making chocolate chip cookies with a 6-year-old Maureen McCormick, who later went on to play the iconic character Marcia Brady in The Brady Bunch. In the ad, the two sing the classic slogan, “Nothin’ says lovin’ like something from the oven, and Pillsbury says it best.”

In 2012, MasterCard aired a commercial, which featured some of the best-known advertising icons including the Morton Salt Girl (who playfully poked the Doughboy’s tummy!), the Vlasic Pickle Stork and Count Chocula.

The Doughboy even made a guest appearance in a Geico insurance commercial where he gets a pat down from airport security on his way to a baking convention. And as you might have expected, he couldn’t help but let out that signature giggle!

In 1972 the Doughboy made his way into homes again, this time as a 7-inch doll, which quickly became one of the fastest selling toys in the U.S. The following year, a companion doll of Poppin’ Fresh’s friend, Poppie Fresh, was released. This was followed by Granmommer and Granpopper, Uncle Rollie, and a son (Popper) and daughter (Bun-Bun). There was even Flapjack and Biscuit, the Fresh family’s dog and cat.

It’s official—everyone loves Poppin’ Fresh! Whether he’s doling out inspiration for a quick and delicious dinner, or introducing us to new Pillsbury products, the Doughboy’s cheerful spirit and contagious giggle remind us just how much fun baking can be. He keeps us smiling in the kitchen and out. So here's to many more years of delightful dough-filled moments with everyone’s favorite kitchen sidekick, Poppin’ Fresh!