Iconic cartoon characters with a big nose include Mr. Burns, Squidward Tentacles, Phineas Flynn, Dick Dastardly, and Spongebob Squarepants.
The practice of attributing oversized noses to characters is a recurrent theme in animation. A case in point is Disney’s Pinocchio, where the protagonist’s nose expands with each fib he tells, creating a humorous element.
Arnold from Nickelodeon’s Hey Arnold! is another character recognized for his substantial, football-shaped head and large nose.
This technique of using magnified noses to induce laughter has a long history dating back to the beginnings of animated films. Characters like Squidward Tentacles and Popeye the Sailor Man, known for their prominent noses, are some of the earlier contributors to this lasting cartoon convention.
Cartoon Characters With Big Noses
The depiction of oversized noses in cartoons has not been immune to controversy. Critics argue it can fuel harmful stereotypes associated with individuals typically depicted with magnified noses in comics and assorted media forms.
However, defenders of this convention maintain that the intention behind illustrating large noses in cartoons is solely for comedic purposes, without any direct intention to caricature specific demographics.
Despite the ongoing discourse, the ubiquity of this characteristic in animated content persists, continually drawing amusement from viewers across various age groups.
17Ferb Fletcher – Big Nose
Ferb Fletcher is a beloved character from the popular animated series “Phineas and Ferb,” which aired on the Disney Channel. He is best known for his distinctive triangular-shaped head and large, elongated nose, which adds to his unique appearance.
Ferb is the quiet stepbrother of the ever-inventive Phineas Flynn. Together, they spend their summer vacations engaging in wildly ambitious projects, much to the chagrin of their older sister, Candace.
Ferb’s character is characterized by sparse dialogue; he usually has one line per episode, often a profound or witty comment. However, his few words are always significant and hint at dry humor.
16 Pinocchio
Pinocchio, a prominent character from Disney, is probably one of the most iconic examples of a cartoon character with an oversized nose. The character, first brought to life in Disney’s 1940 animated film “Pinocchio,” is adapted from Carlo Collodi’s 1883 Italian children’s novel, “The Adventures of Pinocchio.”
The character is best known for his defining characteristic: a nose that grows longer each time he lies.
This magical aspect of Pinocchio’s nose not only lends a comedic element to the story but also serves as a morality tale about the consequences of dishonesty.
The growing nose is a visual and immediate consequence of his untruths, teaching Pinocchio and the audience about the importance of truthfulness.
15Squidward Tentacles
Squidward Tentacles, a character from Spongebob Squarepants, is easily recognizable by his big and sizable nose. This distinctive feature plays a significant role in his storylines and contributes to his irritability. Despite Squidward’s dislike for his nose, it has become one of his most defining and recognizable traits.
14Spongebob Squarepants
SpongeBob SquarePants, the title yellow character of the popular animated television series by the same name, aired on Nickelodeon, is a cheerful and optimistic sea sponge with a notably large, pointed nose. His distinctive nose, square pants, and unique laugh contribute to his distinctive character design, making him instantly recognizable to audiences worldwide.
Living in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob’s adventures and interactions with his quirky friends, including his best friend Patrick Star and his grumpy neighbor Squidward Tentacles, form the show’s crux.
Much like other exaggerated physical features in cartoons, SpongeBob’s big nose does not typically serve a narrative purpose or act as a comedic device. Instead, it helps to distinguish him from other characters visually and adds to his unique appeal.
13Big Nose Billy
The story’s core centers on the misadventures of a troubled boy, his dimwitted best friend, and an unexpected companion, the grim reaper. Despite the grim reaper’s reluctance, he is compelled to be their playmate. Geared toward mature audiences, the show embraces dark humor and satirical references.
With the combination of Grim’s supernatural powers and Mandy’s sharp wit, the trio consistently finds their way out of tricky predicaments through a series of unpredictable and amusing escapades.
12Big Nose Mr. Burns
It is well known that Mr. Burns, the billionaire owner of Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, is greedy and selfish. Even if it means hurting the people around him, he will stop at nothing to increase his wealth.
Despite his questionable morals, Mr. Burns remains a prominent figure in Springfield and is often involved in the town’s strange adventures. As Mr. Burns’ infamous catchphrase “Excellent” illustrates, he delights in chaos and destruction.
Although he may not be everyone’s favorite, Mr. Burns never fails to keep the residents of Springfield entertained (and sometimes frustrated).
Who could forget when he attempted to manipulate the election by blocking out the sun to drive up electricity prices or by purchasing voting machines? Mr. Burns always surprises us with his clever schemes and ruthless strategies.
11Captain K’nuckles
In the movie Beard Buddies, Captain K’nuckles has a unique appearance. He wears fake “whiskers” on his head, making his entire head appear blue.
He has scars and tattoos visible when he is shirtless and 5’3″ tall. In addition to his long, orange nose, K’nuckles also has prosthetic hands and legs that appear crude. Interestingly, even his rear end seems to be made of a small wooden log.
10Phineas Flynn
He has three freckles near his temples and short, spiky red hair. His nose is large and pointy, and he has big, dark blue eyes. Although his height hasn’t been revealed yet, he appears slightly shorter than Isabella and taller than Baljeet.
Phineas also has a noticeable slouch, but it’s unclear if it’s due to a medical condition (possibly related to his head’s size) or just a habit. His eyebrows match his red hair but are hardly visible.
9Dick Dastardly
Muttley was frequently partnered with Dastardly, a character known for his constant cheating and insatiable greed. Dastardly’s vehicle in Wacky Races was the Mean Machine, also known as Double Zero.
He would employ a variety of dishonorable tactics in an attempt to win each race, but his schemes inevitably fell short. In the first episode, Dastardly was shown taking off his hat in a pose, but later on, it was revealed that he had been disqualified from the race.
8Goofy With His Round Big Nose
Originally named Goofy in comic strips, Dippy Dawg’s name was changed to Goofy in 1936. Initially, Mickey Mouse’s gang saw him as a nuisance but eventually grew to like him.
The comic strips drawn by Floyd Gottfredson for Disney were based on the events in the Mickey Mouse shorts. However, after Donald Duck became popular and gained his newspaper strip, Disney decided to remove Goofy from Gottfredson’s comic strips.
7Nigel Thornberry
Sir Nigel Archibald Thornberry, a renowned expert on wild animals and their habitats, was born on April 19, 1951, and has dedicated his life to studying them.
He is a well-known figure in the field with his distinctive bushy mustache, bright red hair, dry wit, and hearty laugh. In addition to narrating the show, he has also worked as a pilot and forestry expert, often risking his safety to rescue his family from dangerous situations while traveling.
6Mr. Bean (Cartoon)
The main character of the series uses his distinct sense of humor to complete his daily tasks. However, due to his oblivious nature, he often creates problems for himself and those around him.
Mr. Bean, a well-known cartoon character with a big nose, is often seen wearing tweed jackets and red ties and seldom speaks. The animated series is recognized for its unique approach to everyday activities. It is worth noting that there is no mention of Bean being an extraterrestrial.
5The Little Man (Pink Panther)
In various animated adaptations of the Pink Panther cartoon series, the Little Man, also referred to as The White Man and eventually renamed Big Nose, is typically portrayed as the primary antagonist.
Meanwhile, the Pink Panther often takes on an antagonistic role. However, there are instances where he is portrayed as amiable or as an innocent bystander who becomes entangled in a variety of misadventures.
4Hugh Neutron
Hugh has brown hair and brown eyes. He is tall and wears glasses. He is often associated with cartoon characters with big noses, particularly Hugh Neutron.
Hugh wears a blue sweater vest, navy blue pants, and brown loafers with gold buckles. However, in the pilot episode, he can be seen wearing a blue suit jacket and shorts, which is unusual for the Neutron family, except for Jimmy and Baby Eddie.
3Dr. Doofenshmirtz
The character is Heinz Doofenshmirtz, an evil scientist residing in Drusselstein. He is preoccupied with causing chaos throughout the Tri-State Area.
He sports a unique appearance with coconut-shaped brown hair, round eyes, and a larger-than-average nose, all of which make him a formidable adversary in his field.
2Big Nose Thug (Tangled)
It’s impossible to create a list of cartoon characters with big noses without mentioning this one. In Eugene’s “Life After Happily Ever After” rap, we see Big Nose in Corona Castle. He’s shown enjoying a spa day with most of the other main thugs and seems to be Eugene’s closest friend after Rapunzel and Maximus. Of all the thugs in the scene, Big Nose is the only one who speaks.
1Popeye
Popeye the Sailor Man, a classic cartoon character known for his unique voice, spinach-induced super strength, and notably large, bulbous nose, is a prime example of a character with exaggerated features. Created by E.C. Segar, Popeye first appeared in the comic strip “Thimble Theatre” in 1929 and later found his way into animated cartoons, becoming an enduring figure in popular culture.
Popeye’s pronounced nose and one-eyed squint and pipe are integral to his characteristic visual appeal. These exaggerated features distinguish him from other characters and contribute to his recognizable image, making him a standout figure in animation.
The Popular Big Nose
Exaggeration for Comic Effect: The primary goal of many cartoons is to entertain, often through humor. Exaggerated physical features, like large noses, can make characters more comedic, as they appear quirky, goofy, or endearing. The ridiculousness of these proportions can be inherently funny.
Simplicity and Visibility: In the early days of animation, the techniques, and technology were not as advanced as they are today. Thus, large, exaggerated features were easier to draw consistently and were more visible on lower-resolution screens. Big noses were particularly useful because they could convey emotion through a simple tilt or wiggle.
Character Differentiation: When many characters are drawn in a similar style, large and distinct noses can help differentiate them. This is particularly useful in comics and animations where characters might not have a wide range of colors or other detailed features.