In 1965, Rudy Perz had a problem. He worked as a copywriter for the Leo Burnett’s advertising agency. The Pillsbury Corporation had contracted the agency to come up with a new campaign, and Perz was racking his brain for ideas. Finally, the copywriter came up with the idea of a living ball of dough. A little known fact about the Pillsbury Dough Boy is, he originated as a boy made of dough, who popped up out of a can of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls. So the dough boy didn’t blend in with the rest of the rolls, he sported a neckerchief and a baker’s hat that bore the Pillsbury logo. To make him come alive, Perz also gave him two large blue eyes, a nose and a mouth. He also gave him two human personality traits: when the ladies kissed him on the cheek , the Pillsbury Dough Boy would blush. And, whenever he was poked in the stomach with a human finger, he giggled, touched his stomach, then smiled happily. To find out more little known facts about the Pillsbury Dough Boy, read this entertaining article!
Note: Not surprisingly, Leo Burnett’s advertising agency also created “Tony the Tiger”and the “Jolly Green Giant.”
The Pillsbury Dough Boy, also known by the name “Poppin’ Fresh” or “Pop ‘n’ Fresh”, is said to have been born on March 18, 1965 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was introduced to the public that same year. The humanoid weighed in at 14 ounces. He also stood 8-3/4 inches high.
A little known fact about the Pillsbury Dough Boy is that Rudy Perz was going to make him an animated figure. But, after he saw a special title technique on The Dinah Shore Show, he changed his mind. Instead, his creation turned out to be a a three-dimensional doll made of clay. The Pillsbury Dough Boy had five different bodies and fifteen heads so his creators could give him different looks and put him in different positions. TV commercials starring the dough boy used a method called “Stop Motion”. It took twenty-four still shots to create a single second of a commercial.
TV Commercials
If you watch television, you’ve undoubtedly seen the Pillsbury Dough Boy in action. He did end up becoming an animated advertising tool for the corporation. A little known fact about the Pillsbury Dough Boy is that he has starred in over 600 commercials for over 50 of the company’s quick-bake products.
His Voices
Paul Frees (1919-1986), who loaned his voice to the villainous “Boris” on “The Rocky and Bullwinkle” show, was also the first voice of the Pillsbury Dough Boy. JoBe Cerny, who had parts in movies like, “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003), “My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997) and “Rent-a-Cop” (1987) provides the Pillsbury Dough Boy’s voice nowadays.
Pillsbury Dough Boy Dolls
In the 1970’s, the Pillsbury Dough Boy became a seven-inch vinyl doll. A family was added that included his wife, “Poppie Fresh”, “Mrs. Poppin’ Fresh,” or the “Pillsbury Doughgirl”; son “Popper”, daughter, “Bun Bun”; “GrandPopper and GranMommer”, pet cat “Biscuit”, pet dog “Flapjack” and “Uncle Rollie.” The dolls were sold at Sears stores. Another little known fact about the Pillsbury Dough Boy is that Playthings Magazine crowned him “Toy of the Year” in 1972.
