It has always been a fact that some of Walt Disney's oldest and most iconic characters are easy to identify based on their name and appearance.
For example, Mickey and Minnie Mouse are mice, Donald Duck is a duck, and Clarabelle Cow is a cow - easy.
However, what about Goofy?
Goofy's species was famously discussed in the 1986 movie Stand By Me:First appearing in the 1932 animated Walt Disney cartoon Mickey's Revue, Goofy was originally voice by Disney legend Pinto Colvig could be seen and heard delivering his iconic laugh uproariously at every act he sees perform at a show.
But, what animal is Goofy?
It has never definitely been revealed what animal Goofy is, and the question was even famously pondered in the iconic 1986 movie Stand By Me.
Well, for years it has been assumed that Goofy is a tall and clumsy anthropomorphic dog. In fact, in Mickey's Revue, Goofy's original name was originally listed as 'Dippy Dawg'. But, according to voice actor and Disney Legend Bill Farmer, Goofy is NOT a dog.
Speaking to Yahoo News, Farmer - who has provided the voice for the lovable character since 1987 - has categorically stated that he is not a dog. He said:
"He is not a dog. Pluto is a dog, but Goofy seems to be in the canine family in the same way that a wolf is not a dog, but they also are in the canine family. I think Canis Goofus is the technical Latin term for what Goofy is. He’s just Goofy."
Farmer - who also voices famous Disney dog Pluto (he is definitely a dog) - stars in the new Disney+ reality series, It’s a Dog’s Life, which celebrates all the amazing and heroic pooches in the world that have helped make our human lives better.
Check out the trailer to It's A Dog's Life Below:Farmer recalls first seeing his now-alter-ego on TV shows like Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color when he was a child. He said:
"He was my favorite Disney character. Never thinking that I would get to voice him.
"Long story short, I grew up doing voices, and I loved cartoons. I always practiced the voices and became a stand-up comic impressionist for about five years before moving to L.A."
After finding himself in Hollywood, Farmer auditioned for Disney, which was seeking new vocal performers for its classic cast of characters.
"I thought I did a pretty good Mickey Mouse. I can’t do Donald Duck very well. But Goofy was right in the wheelhouse. They liked that one, and since 1987 I’ve been the official voice."
The rest, as they say, was is history...
