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Meathead Cat

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Not to be confused with Meathead Dog

Meathead Cat is a recurring character in the Tom and Jerry franchise. He is a brown, mangy, dim-witted cat who first appeared in the Tom and Jerry 1943 short, Sufferin' Cats!, as Tom's rival. Meathead later reappeared in Baby Puss (as one of the three alley cats) and additional shorts as either one of Tom's friends or foes.

Characteristics[]

Personality[]

He is thought to be more or less a stubborn, tough, foolish alley cat. He is initially Tom's rival, but he is dumber by comparison. He is known to be one of the least intelligent cats in the series. He is sometimes prone to slapstick when he appears.

In The Tom and Jerry Show (2014), Meathead is depicted as a mildly goofy and friendly character. His persona reflects a certain obliviousness which aligns with his nickname "meathead." While he may not be the sharpest cat around and often seems lost in his own world, he exudes good-natured charm and a cooperative spirit. Occasionally, his luck plays in his favor, adding an amusing twist to his antics.

Appearance[]

Meathead Cat is characterized by his brown fur and white paws, often seen sporting a distinctive red toupee that sometimes matches his fur. He features a long chin, bare cheeks and his signature large nose. In his first two appearances, a bandage is wrapped around Meathead’s tail. Interestingly, in "Scat Cats," his last appearance during the golden age, Meathead is depicted with silver-grey fur instead of brown.

In "Tom and Jerry Tales" where he is voiced by Colin Murdock, Meathead undergoes a slight redesign. He is shown with orange fur similar to that of Lightning and a red nose. In two episodes, he sports a bushy tail awhile one episode has him with a stringy tail.

History[]

Tom and Jerry original cartoons[]

Meathead made his first appearance in the ninth Tom and Jerry short, Sufferin' Cats!, in January 16, 1943. where he was Tom's rival that competed with him for Jerry. He is notably the second male alley cat (the first male alley cat that Tom interacts with) and the third cat (after first being Tom and second being Toots) to appear in the series. He is also Tom's first rival prior to Butch who appeared three shorts later in the same year in Baby Puss. Meathead reappeared in the aforementioned short where he appeared with Butch and Topsy for the first time.

Meathead's role as Tom's rival was taken by Butch who often competes with Tom either for a female cat or to catch Jerry. Meathead made rather infrequent appearances throughout the latter of shorts. Meathead either appeared as a supporting or minor role depending on the cartoon.

Sleepy-Time Tom has Meathead completely brown though identified it is him. In Life with Tom, he makes a cameo appearance with his signature fur tone and his features accurately.

In some cartoons, Lightning replaces him where it involves Tom inviting his cat friends (like Butch and Topsy) in social occasions (e.g. Smarty Cat). However, when Tom himself is absent in the Spike and Tyke short, Scat Cats, Meathead appears in the short with a sliver tone. The short involves him, Lightning and Topsy trying to get to the house for Butch's party but are prevented by Spike. This short marks his final appearance in the golden age of animation.

Warner Bros-Era[]

In the first direct-to-video Tom and Jerry movie, Tom and Jerry: The Magic Ring, Meathead does not appear, but elements of his character are blended with Butch Cat. The black alley cat featured in this movie resembles a hybrid of Butch and Meathead (though he resembles Meathead more) with the distinguishing features being the former's black color, the signature blue bowler hat as seen in "Trap Happy" and the latter's toupee, long chin and large nose.

After a long absent from the series, he reappeared in Tom and Jerry Tales. He is shown with orange fur, indicating that he and Lightning Cat are merged as a single character in the series. He (alongside Topsy) was featured in three episodes in the series.

In The Tom and Jerry Show (2014), Meathead is a recurring character in the series appearing usually when Butch appears. He also appeared in three episodes in Tom and Jerry in New York without any speaking lines.

He, in his original design from the early-1940s cartoons, appeared in the Tom and Jerry 2021 movie as a member of Butch's gang.

Appearances[]

Tom and Jerry[]

Spike and Tyke[]

The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show[]

Tom and Jerry Tales[]

Season 1[]

Season 2[]

The Tom and Jerry Show (2014)[]

Season 1[]

Season 2[]

Season 3[]

Season 4[]

Season 5[]

Tom and Jerry in New York[]

Season 2[]

Film appearances[]

Notes[]

  • He somewhat resembles Lightning, but the two are not the same and have appeared side-by-side in some cartoons.
  • Meathead's name is based off a word used to describe someone as being stupid or dim-witted.
    • Incidentally, Meathead was even called a "meathead" in some episodes of The Tom and Jerry Show, such as Missing in Traction. He even places a piece of meat on his head near the end of Professor Meathead.
  • Meathead's current voice is similar to that of Bruno from the Jim Henson live-action/animated hybrid series Dog City.
  • In "Sleepy Time Tom", although the two singing cats with Tom and Butch are identified as Lightning and Meathead, they are respectively addressed erroneously as "Light Brown Cat" & "Dark Brown Cat" in credits.

Gallery[]

Main Article: Meathead Cat/Gallery

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