Road Runner
The Electric Company
Release date: 1973-01-01
Plot: "The Electric Company" was an educational children's television series produced by the Children's Television Workshop (the same masterminds behind Sesame Street), and it aired on PBS from 1971 to 1977. Designed to help elementary school kids master reading and grammar, the show used live-action sketches, catchy songs, and lively animations to keep young minds engaged. During its third season, the series introduced a set of short animated segments starring Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner, directed by the legendary Chuck Jones, bringing a dash of classic Looney Tunes chaos into the educational mix.
Name and role: In these segments, the Coyote didn't suffer physical harm, but the gags focused on wordplay and road signs with instructions like "Walk," "Jump," "Smile," which in this case could be seen on the Road Runner's wings. These segments were designed to teach children words and reading concepts through humorous and visually engaging situations.
Trivia and other appearances: Without going through Road Runner's entire career, let's focus on his educational side: from the 1990s into the 2000s, Road Runner became the target in various educational CDs like Looney Tunes Edutainment and JumpStart. In these games, players had to solve small problems together with Wile E. in order to try and catch him.
Release date: 1973-01-01
Plot: "The Electric Company" was an educational children's television series produced by the Children's Television Workshop (the same masterminds behind Sesame Street), and it aired on PBS from 1971 to 1977. Designed to help elementary school kids master reading and grammar, the show used live-action sketches, catchy songs, and lively animations to keep young minds engaged. During its third season, the series introduced a set of short animated segments starring Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner, directed by the legendary Chuck Jones, bringing a dash of classic Looney Tunes chaos into the educational mix.
Name and role: In these segments, the Coyote didn't suffer physical harm, but the gags focused on wordplay and road signs with instructions like "Walk," "Jump," "Smile," which in this case could be seen on the Road Runner's wings. These segments were designed to teach children words and reading concepts through humorous and visually engaging situations.
Trivia and other appearances: Without going through Road Runner's entire career, let's focus on his educational side: from the 1990s into the 2000s, Road Runner became the target in various educational CDs like Looney Tunes Edutainment and JumpStart. In these games, players had to solve small problems together with Wile E. in order to try and catch him.
Commercial
Brand: Hershey's
Release date: 1987-??-??
Name and role:
Hershey's commercial from 1987 where a chocolate bar dropped by Wile E. Coyote slips through scenes from various classic films. In the end, it's Road Runner who snatches it with a triumphant "Beep beep!"
Brand: Hershey's
Release date: 1987-??-??
Name and role:
Hershey's commercial from 1987 where a chocolate bar dropped by Wile E. Coyote slips through scenes from various classic films. In the end, it's Road Runner who snatches it with a triumphant "Beep beep!"
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Release date: 1988-06-22
Plot: Private detective Eddie Valiant, still haunted by the death of his brother at the hands of a toon, is hired to investigate the suspected infidelity of Jessica Rabbit, wife of the famous Roger Rabbit. When tycoon Marvin Acme turns up dead, Roger becomes the prime suspect. Eddie soon finds himself entangled in a conspiracy that unveils a dark plot to destroy Toontown and its animated residents.
Name and role: One of the most magical aspects of Who Framed Roger Rabbit was the historic collaboration between Disney and Warner Bros. According to the agreements, only the stars had to share screen time. Among the singing characters in the film's finale, we find Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner, who, true to the spirit of the storyline, are finally off the clock and can drop the act, singing together like two simple friends.
Trivia and other appearances: I've really looked everywhere, but this unrepeatable scene is one of a kind. The closest thing to a truce between the two happens in 1990, during a Cheerios commercial.
Release date: 1988-06-22
Plot: Private detective Eddie Valiant, still haunted by the death of his brother at the hands of a toon, is hired to investigate the suspected infidelity of Jessica Rabbit, wife of the famous Roger Rabbit. When tycoon Marvin Acme turns up dead, Roger becomes the prime suspect. Eddie soon finds himself entangled in a conspiracy that unveils a dark plot to destroy Toontown and its animated residents.
Name and role: One of the most magical aspects of Who Framed Roger Rabbit was the historic collaboration between Disney and Warner Bros. According to the agreements, only the stars had to share screen time. Among the singing characters in the film's finale, we find Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner, who, true to the spirit of the storyline, are finally off the clock and can drop the act, singing together like two simple friends.
Trivia and other appearances: I've really looked everywhere, but this unrepeatable scene is one of a kind. The closest thing to a truce between the two happens in 1990, during a Cheerios commercial.
Bumbie's Mom
Release date: 1993-09-22
Plot: Skippy Squirrel is traumatized after watching the film Bumbie the Dearest Deer, particularly the scene where Bumbie's mother is shot. To comfort him, Slappy Squirrel takes Skippy to meet Vina Walleen, the actress who portrayed Bumbie's mom, helping him understand that it's all just acting.
Name and role: When Slappy and Skippy arrive at their destination by bus, they're immediately overtaken by Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner. Moments later, Wile gets flattened by the same bus that just dropped them off. Slappy, of course, can't resist pointing out how much she hates these kinds of cameos.
Trivia and other appearances: Road Runner makes another solo cameo with Slappy in The Old Lady from Pasadena, and also appears in the Taz-Mania episode Instant Replay. As for Wile, he returns in Buttons in Ows here on Animaniacs, and also pops up in Boulder Museum on Taz-Mania.
Release date: 1993-09-22
Plot: Skippy Squirrel is traumatized after watching the film Bumbie the Dearest Deer, particularly the scene where Bumbie's mother is shot. To comfort him, Slappy Squirrel takes Skippy to meet Vina Walleen, the actress who portrayed Bumbie's mom, helping him understand that it's all just acting.
Name and role: When Slappy and Skippy arrive at their destination by bus, they're immediately overtaken by Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner. Moments later, Wile gets flattened by the same bus that just dropped them off. Slappy, of course, can't resist pointing out how much she hates these kinds of cameos.
Trivia and other appearances: Road Runner makes another solo cameo with Slappy in The Old Lady from Pasadena, and also appears in the Taz-Mania episode Instant Replay. As for Wile, he returns in Buttons in Ows here on Animaniacs, and also pops up in Boulder Museum on Taz-Mania.
Little Old Slappy from Pasadena
Release date: 1993-11-05
Plot: "Little Old Slappy From Pasadena" takes her powerful sports car for a drive around town, set to the tune of the classic rock and roll song, "Little Old Lady from Pasadena
Name and role: Not only does Slappy outrun the Road Runner in her car, she straight up flattens him. Let's see it as a bit of payback: a retired squirrel, kicked out of the Looney Tunes spotlight too early, settling the score with a colleague whose career kept sprinting while hers hit a tree.
Trivia and other appearances: This is Road Runner's only solo cameo in the series, paired only with his joint appearance alongside Wile in the episode Bumbie's Mom, again with Slappy.
Release date: 1993-11-05
Plot: "Little Old Slappy From Pasadena" takes her powerful sports car for a drive around town, set to the tune of the classic rock and roll song, "Little Old Lady from Pasadena
Name and role: Not only does Slappy outrun the Road Runner in her car, she straight up flattens him. Let's see it as a bit of payback: a retired squirrel, kicked out of the Looney Tunes spotlight too early, settling the score with a colleague whose career kept sprinting while hers hit a tree.
Trivia and other appearances: This is Road Runner's only solo cameo in the series, paired only with his joint appearance alongside Wile in the episode Bumbie's Mom, again with Slappy.
Chariots of Fur
Release date: 1994-12-21
Plot: Yet another chase after the Road Runner packed, as always, with cliffs, explosions, and a generous dose of physical pain.
Name and role: In this short, the Road Runner even manages to outrun ACME lightning itself, proving that his speed defies the laws of nature, and, apparently, Road Runners are very flexible too.
Trivia and other appearances: This was the final short directed by Chuck Jones featuring Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner, marking the end of an era that began in 1949. It also marked the last time Paul Julian provided the iconic vocal effects for the Road Runner before his passing. A cartoon with two quietly heartbreaking farewells.
Release date: 1994-12-21
Plot: Yet another chase after the Road Runner packed, as always, with cliffs, explosions, and a generous dose of physical pain.
Name and role: In this short, the Road Runner even manages to outrun ACME lightning itself, proving that his speed defies the laws of nature, and, apparently, Road Runners are very flexible too.
Trivia and other appearances: This was the final short directed by Chuck Jones featuring Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner, marking the end of an era that began in 1949. It also marked the last time Paul Julian provided the iconic vocal effects for the Road Runner before his passing. A cartoon with two quietly heartbreaking farewells.
Commercial
Brand: Raisin Bran
Release date: 1995-03-??
Name and role:
In this commercial for Raisin Bran, Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner chase each other inside a TV set positioned in front of a cereal bowl. Road Runner zips out of the screen unharmed, while Wile E. Coyote slams straight into it, leaving a classic faceprint as the chase ends in typical Looney Tunes fashion.
Brand: Raisin Bran
Release date: 1995-03-??
Name and role:
In this commercial for Raisin Bran, Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner chase each other inside a TV set positioned in front of a cereal bowl. Road Runner zips out of the screen unharmed, while Wile E. Coyote slams straight into it, leaving a classic faceprint as the chase ends in typical Looney Tunes fashion.
Space Jam
Release date: 1996-11-10
Plot: Basketball legend Michael Jordan teams up with Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes to win a wild basketball game against alien villains called the Monstars. The aliens stole NBA players' talents, so it's up to Jordan and the Tunes to slam, jam, and bring the chaos. It's sports meets cartoons in the most 90s crossover ever.
Name and role: Road Runner gets a very fast moment during the Looney training montage, he zips around the gym at light speed, then vanishes through a hole in the wall and straight out of the movie. Why he, and Speedy, weren't drafted into the ToonSquad? Who knows. Maybe they couldn't catch him to ask
Trivia and other appearances: Road Runner's best appearances also include: Fast and Furry-ous (1949), Zoom and Bored (1957), Soup or Sonic (1980), and Looney Tunes Cartoons (2020)
Release date: 1996-11-10
Plot: Basketball legend Michael Jordan teams up with Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes to win a wild basketball game against alien villains called the Monstars. The aliens stole NBA players' talents, so it's up to Jordan and the Tunes to slam, jam, and bring the chaos. It's sports meets cartoons in the most 90s crossover ever.
Name and role: Road Runner gets a very fast moment during the Looney training montage, he zips around the gym at light speed, then vanishes through a hole in the wall and straight out of the movie. Why he, and Speedy, weren't drafted into the ToonSquad? Who knows. Maybe they couldn't catch him to ask
Trivia and other appearances: Road Runner's best appearances also include: Fast and Furry-ous (1949), Zoom and Bored (1957), Soup or Sonic (1980), and Looney Tunes Cartoons (2020)
Commercial
Brand: Pontiac - Grand Prix Wide Track
Release date: 1998-??-??
Name and role:
In this 1998 commercial for the Pontiac Grand Prix Wide Track, Wile E. Coyote uses the powerful car in yet another failed attempt to catch Road Runner. Classic Looney Tunes chaos meets sleek automotive marketing in this humorous ad.
Brand: Pontiac - Grand Prix Wide Track
Release date: 1998-??-??
Name and role:
In this 1998 commercial for the Pontiac Grand Prix Wide Track, Wile E. Coyote uses the powerful car in yet another failed attempt to catch Road Runner. Classic Looney Tunes chaos meets sleek automotive marketing in this humorous ad.
Little Go Beep
Release date: 1999-12-17
Plot: The young Wile E. Coyote receives a strict education from his father, Cage E. Coyote. Determined to prove his worth, the young coyote throws himself into a series of attempts to catch the little Road Runner. Naturally, every plan ends in hilarious disaster, keeping alive the tradition of the ill-fated Acme inventions.
Name and role: The little Road Runner is already quick and slippery, zipping around with his trademark "Beep Beep!" while tottering on a baby walker. He effortlessly avoids the young coyote's traps, often without even realizing they were there to begin with. It's like baby parkour meets divine intervention.
Trivia and other appearances: If you're looking for other baby-fied versions of our Looney Tunes stars, there's Nasty Quacks (1945), where Daffy gets a baby duckling roommate; Portrait of the Artist as a Young Bunny (1980), which shows a mini Bugs and mini Elmer in a dream sequence; Taz Babies (1992), the fever dream we didn't know we needed; and a cute flashback sequence in The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (2024), which is all kinds of bonkers in the best way. And of course, there's the whole Baby Looney Tunes series... but let's be honest, we all kind of agreed to collectively pretend that never happened, didn't we?
Release date: 1999-12-17
Plot: The young Wile E. Coyote receives a strict education from his father, Cage E. Coyote. Determined to prove his worth, the young coyote throws himself into a series of attempts to catch the little Road Runner. Naturally, every plan ends in hilarious disaster, keeping alive the tradition of the ill-fated Acme inventions.
Name and role: The little Road Runner is already quick and slippery, zipping around with his trademark "Beep Beep!" while tottering on a baby walker. He effortlessly avoids the young coyote's traps, often without even realizing they were there to begin with. It's like baby parkour meets divine intervention.
Trivia and other appearances: If you're looking for other baby-fied versions of our Looney Tunes stars, there's Nasty Quacks (1945), where Daffy gets a baby duckling roommate; Portrait of the Artist as a Young Bunny (1980), which shows a mini Bugs and mini Elmer in a dream sequence; Taz Babies (1992), the fever dream we didn't know we needed; and a cute flashback sequence in The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (2024), which is all kinds of bonkers in the best way. And of course, there's the whole Baby Looney Tunes series... but let's be honest, we all kind of agreed to collectively pretend that never happened, didn't we?
The Big Game XXVIII: Road Runner vs. Wile E. Coyote
Release date: 2000-01-29
Plot: An epic four-hour marathon dedicated to the classic Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner shorts, presented as a parody of the Super Bowl. During the event, they aired a selection of the best episodes, interspersed with sports-style segments featuring commentators like Len Dawson, Cris Collinsworth, and Nick Buoniconti. There are full-on ESPN-style segments, with player analysis, replays, and (fictional, of course) "interviews" It's all played with meta-humor and sports commentary language.
Name and role: Road Runner, on the other hand, is portrayed as a naturally gifted athlete: untouchable, effortlessly fast, and seemingly unaware of the chaos behind him. He's like the MVP who doesn't even break a sweat, cruising past traps and explosions with his iconic "Beep Beep!" and a serene smile.
Trivia and other appearances: For more matchups in this style, check out The Big Game XXVII: Sylvester vs. Tweety (1999) and The Big Game XXIX: Bugs vs. Daffy (2001).
Release date: 2000-01-29
Plot: An epic four-hour marathon dedicated to the classic Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner shorts, presented as a parody of the Super Bowl. During the event, they aired a selection of the best episodes, interspersed with sports-style segments featuring commentators like Len Dawson, Cris Collinsworth, and Nick Buoniconti. There are full-on ESPN-style segments, with player analysis, replays, and (fictional, of course) "interviews" It's all played with meta-humor and sports commentary language.
Name and role: Road Runner, on the other hand, is portrayed as a naturally gifted athlete: untouchable, effortlessly fast, and seemingly unaware of the chaos behind him. He's like the MVP who doesn't even break a sweat, cruising past traps and explosions with his iconic "Beep Beep!" and a serene smile.
Trivia and other appearances: For more matchups in this style, check out The Big Game XXVII: Sylvester vs. Tweety (1999) and The Big Game XXIX: Bugs vs. Daffy (2001).
Cartoon Network Bumper
Release date: 2004-06-14
Plot: Cartoon Network used to mix the stars of their cartoons in promotional bumpers, creating unique and never-before-seen interactions. It was a wonderful way to build a shared universe between all their animated characters.
Name and role: In this bumper, Flash steps out of a store and locks eyes with Road Runner, immediately, a race begins. The two zoom past Speedy, who joins the competition. After what we can only assume is an unfathomable amount of time, the three are exhausted but tied. So, naturally... the endless race starts all over again.
Trivia and other appearances: The Looney Tunes have shared the screen with DC characters many times, like Superman in Tiny Toons: How I Spent My Vacation or Stupor Duck. Other crossovers include The Green Loontern, Batman's frequent cameos in Animaniacs, and the whole DC Universe showing up in Space Jam: A New Legacy.
Release date: 2004-06-14
Plot: Cartoon Network used to mix the stars of their cartoons in promotional bumpers, creating unique and never-before-seen interactions. It was a wonderful way to build a shared universe between all their animated characters.
Name and role: In this bumper, Flash steps out of a store and locks eyes with Road Runner, immediately, a race begins. The two zoom past Speedy, who joins the competition. After what we can only assume is an unfathomable amount of time, the three are exhausted but tied. So, naturally... the endless race starts all over again.
Trivia and other appearances: The Looney Tunes have shared the screen with DC characters many times, like Superman in Tiny Toons: How I Spent My Vacation or Stupor Duck. Other crossovers include The Green Loontern, Batman's frequent cameos in Animaniacs, and the whole DC Universe showing up in Space Jam: A New Legacy.
Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas
Release date: 2006-11-14
Plot: Daffy Duck is a greedy megastore owner who despises Christmas and mistreats his employees. On Christmas Eve, he's visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, who show him the error of his ways. After witnessing the impact of his actions, Daffy reforms, embraces the holiday spirit, and... Well I think you already heard about this story.
Name and role: Road Runner gets a lightning-fast cameo: he delivers a package to Daffy, then zooms off just in time to steal Foghorn's burger in the finale.
Release date: 2006-11-14
Plot: Daffy Duck is a greedy megastore owner who despises Christmas and mistreats his employees. On Christmas Eve, he's visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, who show him the error of his ways. After witnessing the impact of his actions, Daffy reforms, embraces the holiday spirit, and... Well I think you already heard about this story.
Name and role: Road Runner gets a lightning-fast cameo: he delivers a package to Daffy, then zooms off just in time to steal Foghorn's burger in the finale.
Commercial
Brand: Rinnai
Release date: 2007-04-01
Name and role:
Wile E. Coyote finally corners Road Runner inside a house, ready to claim victory, until he finds him totally fallen in love... by a super-fast Rinnai washing machine. Stunned by the scen, Wile forgets the chase.
Brand: Rinnai
Release date: 2007-04-01
Name and role:
Wile E. Coyote finally corners Road Runner inside a house, ready to claim victory, until he finds him totally fallen in love... by a super-fast Rinnai washing machine. Stunned by the scen, Wile forgets the chase.