Felix the Cat is a funny-animal cartoon character created in the silent film era. The anthropomorphic (having human characteristics) black cat with his black body, white eyes, and giant grin make Felix one of the most recognized cartoon characters in film history. Felix was the first character from animation to attain a level of popularity sufficient to draw movie audiences.

Felix originated from the studio of Australian cartoonist/film entrepreneur Pat Sullivan. Either Sullivan himself or his lead animator, American Otto Messmer, created the character. What is certain is that Felix emerged from Sullivan's studio, and cartoons featuring the character enjoyed success and popularity in popular culture.

In 1926, Felix became the first high school mascot in the state of Indiana for the Logansport Berries. By the late 1920s, with the arrival of sound cartoons, Felix's success was fading. The new Disney shorts of Mickey Mouse made the silent offerings of Sullivan and Messmer seem outdated. In 1929, Sullivan decided to make the transition to sound. But the Felix shorts proved to be a failure and the operation ended in 1932.

Felix cartoons began airing on American TV in 1953. The cat has since starred in other television programs and in two feature films. The second verse of the TV theme has the lines:

"Felix the Cat,

The wonderful, wonderful cat.

You'll laugh so much, your sides will ache,

Your heart will go pitter pat,

Watching Felix, the wonderful cat!"

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