Wow, Donald Duck cartoon must be the most famous cartoon duck in the world. I have yet to meet somebody who hasn’t heard of him.

Did you know that Donald Duck’s real name is Donald Fauntleroy Duck. Out of all the cartoons created by Walt Disney and the Walt Disney Company, he is my firm favorite. Donald Duck is a typical white duck with an orange beak, legs and feet. You will usually only see him in his sailor shirt, cap, red bow tie and no trousers. He has been voted as the third most popular cartoon character of all time with just Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny topping him.

We can’t help loving him, mostly for his unique personality – his impatience and his explosive temper. He is Mickey Mouse’s best friend, but is on opposite ends of the scale as far as his personality goes.

Donald Duck’s birthday was originally recognized as the 9th of June 1934, which was the day he made his first appearance in a supporting role in the film, The Wise Little Hen. His birthday is now given as the 13th of March 1942 as he states in his film The Three Caballeros which was released in 1944. More often he is said to have been born on Friday the 13th, as he always seems to have bad luck or get himself into trouble.

Donald Duck won his first Academy Award for his 1942 film Der Fuehrer’s Face which was about Nazi Germany at the time. During the 1940′s he featured in more cartoons than his best friend Mickey Mouse.

His most famous feature is his nasal voice. This was done by Clarence “Ducky” Nash right up to his death in 1985. Since 1985 the voice has been done by Tony Anselmo, who was trained by Clarence for the role. Animator Dick Lundy created most of Donald Duck’s screen personality.

Donald also has an extensive cartoon family including his nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie, who cause him even more irritation. His mother is Hortense Mcduck and his father is Quackmore Duck. He has a wealthy uncle, Scrooge McDuck, another uncle Ludwig Von Drake, an Aunt Bertie Duck, a cousin Gladstone Gander and even a Grandma that lives with his nephews in Duckburg. He has a twin sister Della Thelma Duck, whom we don’t see that often and a brother Duffy Duck.

There are a number of quotes that Donald Duck says on a regular basis that have become famous. They include, “Oh, yeah?”, “Hiya, toots!”, “Aw, phooey!”, “Nothin’ to it!” and his most famous, “Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!”

Love him or hate him, everyone enjoys a Donald Duck Cartoon.