Ranger Smith

Ranger Smith is a fictional park ranger first appearing in the 1961 Yogi Bear cartoon series.[2] The character is Yogi's main antagonist, and appears in other Yogi Bear series, including Yogi's Gang (1973), Yogi's Treasure Hunt (1985) and Yo Yogi! (1991)[3] as well as the 2010 live-action Yogi Bear film. The cartoon character has been primarily voiced by Don Messick and Greg Burson.[3]

Ranger Smith
The Yogi Bear Show character
Ranger Smith from The Yogi Bear Show
First appearanceYogi Bear's Big Break (1958)
Created byWilliam Hanna
Joseph Barbera
Portrayed byTom Cavanagh
Voiced byDaws Butler (1959)
Don Messick (1958–1994)
Greg Burson (1991: Yo Yogi!)
Billy West (1990s commercials)
Corey Burton (1999-2002: Spümcø shorts)
Scott Innes (briefly)[1]
Jeff Bergman (Lullabye-Bye Bear)
Tom Cavanagh (Yogi Bear: The Video Game)
Eric Bauza (Quicken Loans commercial)
Carlos Alazraqui (2020-present)
In-universe information
NicknameMr. Ranger
SpeciesHuman
GenderMale
FamilySlippery Smith (evil twin)
RelativesYogi Bear (rival/friend)
Boo-Boo Bear (friend)
Cindy Bear (friend)

History

Character

A former US Army soldier, he is the serious and stern authority figure in Jellystone Park, in contrast to the antics of the troublesome Yogi, and he greatly disapproves of Yogi's picnic basket thievery, mainly because it repels parkgoers and creates a lot of extra work for him.

In the original Yogi Bear shorts on Huckleberry Hound, a different and unnamed character that would evolve into Ranger Smith had a much different appearance, looking older and with a white mustache, though his voice was the same (this character model was eventually used for Smith's boss in later specials), and other rangers also served as the authority figures in early episodes. Even after his trademark appearance had been established, Ranger Smith's design was notably inconsistently drawn throughout each episode of The Yogi Bear Show. In one episode, he appears as his young self, but this may be his first actual encounter with Yogi as he doesn't appear to recognize him and refers to Yogi as "that bear".

Ranger Smith is sometimes very friendly with Yogi. In other episodes, he wants nothing more than to send Yogi away to the zoo. The attitudes of the Ranger towards Yogi usually parallel Yogi's behavior: if Yogi is up to mischief, then Smith wants to be rid of him; if Yogi is trying to behave himself, the ranger will often be supportive. There seems to be a deep down—if not grudging—respect for Yogi. Although the two have a somewhat antagonistic relationship, if serious trouble were to befall one of them, the other, usually attempts to rescue him. They also have a long-running friendly rivalry.

Ranger Smith genuinely likes Boo-Boo, because Boo-Boo always tries to stay out of trouble, unlike Yogi. Some episodes have Ranger Smith answering to his superior the park commissioner.

Other appearances
Tom Cavanagh as Ranger Smith in Yogi Bear.

Portrayers

From the time of the character's debut until 1994, Ranger Smith was voiced by Don Messick. His last performance as the character was in Yogi the Easter Bear.

In Yo Yogi!, the character was known as Officer Smith and voiced by Greg Burson.

In the Spümcø shorts, Ranger Smith is voiced by Corey Burton.

Although more famous for his work in the Scooby-Doo franchise, Scott Innes briefly voiced Ranger Smith as well.[1]

In the Yogi Bear film, the character is portrayed by Tom Cavanagh.[4][5]

Animated media

Television shows

Films and specials

Video games
  • Yogi Bear: The Video Game (2010)

See also

References
  1. Glass and Wentzel, Sherri and Jim (2007). Cool Careers Without College for People Who Love Manga, Comics, and Animation. Wentzel. ISBN 9780786486946.
  2. Woolery, George W. (1983). Children's Television: The First Thirty-Five Years, 1946-1981, Part I: Animated Cartoon Series. Scarecrow Press. pp. 316–317. ISBN 0-8108-1557-5. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  3. Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 717–720. ISBN 978-1538103739.
  4. Fleming, Michael (30 November 2009). "Tom Cavanagh nabs 'Yogi Bear' role". Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  5. "No pic-a-nic for returning '60s icon". Retrieved 14 August 2018.
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