The Origins of Betty Boop 

i had no idea she was a sex simbol lol i used to love her when i was a kid

I'm really glad they changed Betty Boop into a human.

she has no neck

Isn't this exactly wikipedia... like legit word for word

She was based on Esther Jones. Nice try though.

They might have drawn Betty Boop white, but her history is black. The character was actually stolen from Cotton Club singer Esther Jones - known by her stage name “Baby Esther” and the baby talk she used when she sang songs like “I Wanna Be Loved By You (Boop- Boop-BeDoo). Her act later “inspired” cartoonist Max Fleischer to create the character Betty Boop and Esther tried to win the rights back to her character until the day she died.

Love her! My grandma looked exactly like her: big eyes, tiny full lips, short curls and a curvy body, lol people actually called her Betty in highschool

why is the name MS. ESTHER JONES not even mentioned? smh -.-

Helen Kane, a white woman, stole her style and dress from Esther Jones, or "Baby Esther", a black singer during the Harlem Renaissance who performed regularly at the Cotton Club. Kane saw her act in 1928 and stole her baby-like singing style for a recording of "I Wanna Be Loved By You", which launched Kane's career. She also stole Baby Esther's style of dress though she did not have the figure to really carry it off. Baby Esther had a banging figure, just like the cartoon character. The real origin of Betty Boop was Baby Esther.

Betty is still popular today my best friend cosplayed her and collects stuff on her ebay is full of Betty Boop stuff

Anybody creeped out that she's meant to be 17, but everyone is still perving on her? Granted, in the 30's, people married younger, but ick.

Wait, it was meant for adults? I watched that all the time when I was really little. ....is this why I'm gay lol

betty boop and popeye were my jam growing up. (ive always like classic stuff)

Kidding me lady, you haven't done your homework. She was based on the beautiful black singer Esther Jones.

The reference woman for the character was called Esther Jones, an African-American jazz singer who lived in Harlem, NY. Also known as "Baby Esther" she was never recognized by the media, and lived in the shadow of this whitening throughout her career. Baby Esther performed in unremarkable cabarets in Harlem, with her unmistakable voice and sounds like “boop-boop-a-doops” constantly imitated by the character Betty Boop who had the same timbre as “baby” and carried the same aesthetic. Initially the character was inserted as a black woman, as in the animation already shown in an episode of Popeye, but then she was transformed into a white woman before being finally taken off the air. It is estimated that it raised millions of dollars in TV and products. In 1932, artist Helen Kane wanted to claim recognition with Betty Boop creator Max Fleischer, claiming that he had inspired all of her appearance and personality in her but was soon cut off because Baby Esther's manager proved that Helen had copied her artist when he saw her performing in 1928 at the Everglades Club and collected several references adapting for her performance of "Poop Poop Padoop" in the musical Good Boy and in the song "I Wanna Be Loved by You", which made the white woman famous overnight . Betty Boop still represents a lot, especially an era filled with racist and sexist stereotypes that lurked and still surround the entertainment industry today. But I can already say that the woman behind it was never rewarded and died young. Baby Esther was limited to being known only in her area while making money from her timbre, aesthetics and essence, having her role stolen by a white Broadway artist, who on top wanted merits for a character created based on Esther. Same shit that still happens to countless black artists who have their spotlight stolen and don't get the opportunities they really deserve.

Betty Boop was my favorite icon as a child

I loved her as a kid

Fact: The original Betty boop was actually a black women. I did my my research.

Many years ago I knew a gal where I worked and once during a casual conversation she mentioned that her maiden name was Fleischer. Just off the cuff, I decided to ask her if she was related to Max Fleischer the cartoonist- he was her uncle!!!!!!!!

BETTY BOOP - Origin Ms. ESTHER JONES, known by her stage name, "Baby Esther," was an " African-American singer and entertainer of the late 1920s. She performed regularly at the (The Cotton Club) in Harlem. Singer Helen Kane saw her act in 1928 and (COPIED or stole ). Ms Jones' 'baby' singing style! > for a recording of "I Wanna Be Loved By You." Ms. Jones' singing style went on to become the inspiration for Max Fleischer cartoon character voice and Look of BETTY BOOP , yes a Black Woman. Her singing trademark Was.. "boop oop a doop ".. In a baby voice at the cotton club in Harlem. -

Betty Boop= baby Esther

idk why but I find this really creepy or scary idk what I'm feeling rn

she used to always scared me I don't know

So it was only popular when she was a sexual character...wow.

Esther Jones was the Real inspiration for Betty Boop

I thought Betty Boop was based on Esther Jones...

I am so happy that people are correcting the video! And I am going to continue to spread the message, she was based off of Esther Jones.

1:50 i have breathed in laughing gas at the dentist enough for an effect on my body, and not a single laugh was heard that day.

2:44 had me laughing she just went all crazy!!!!

I've been a huge fan of Betty Boop for 30 years ever since I was 5 years old she is a Timeless character

I'm so glad so many of you know your history. MISS ESTHER JONES! tf is helen kane.

This video needs to be done over. Betty Boop was ORIGINALLY inspired by Baby Esther. Helen Kane copied the way Esther sang and tried to trademark it as her own. Sad how people have access to so much information yet don't utilize it!

shes cute to look at but the videos are so creepy especially along with her voice😂

I love Betty boop

Betty was one sexy dame! Relished in these cartoons as a kid in the 60's and 70's. Once upon a time kids we only got to see cartoons on Saturdays and a few scant cartoons after school. We appreciated these things so much more when they were considered treats rather than every day fare.

i love betty boop she's my favorite cartoon character

Love how Ester Jones gets absolutely no credit for her originality.

Betty Boop was originally a flapper dog. She was then changed to a human and was a red head that bore a lot for resemblance to Helen Kane although it was never directly a caricature of her. Helen Kane didn't 'boop' first, Baby Edith did during a show in 1928. All in all, Betty Boop is actually Little Anne Little, who is the voice and looks of Betty. So stop with 'Betty was originally black' or 'they stole and are racist'.

Right, you can tell the similarities in the way they both looked and sounded.

I loved Betty Boop

Esther Jones was a regular performer at Harlem’s infamous Cotton Club, where a white American singer/actress named Helen Kane saw her act in 1928 and copied Jones’ “baby” singing style for a recording of “I Wanna Be Loved By You.”

I would always watch Betty hoop when I was little

MS. ESTHER JONES was the REAL Betty Boop!

I DON'T CARE I LOVE HER SHE IS AWESOME

The credit belongs to Esther Jones -__- Kane saw her perform and stole her style

Helen Kane (August 4, 1904 - September 26, 1966) was an American popular singer; her signature song was "I Wanna Be Loved By You." Kane's voice and appearance were a likely source for Fleischer Studios animator Grim Natwick when creating Betty Boop, itself a style originating from Baby Esther although It-girl Clara Bow is another possible influence.... it was a combo influence

I remember a Grampy cartoon where he uses his inventions to bring a happy Christmas to an orphanage where all the toys they got were so broken down that they just fell apart when they played with them. It had one shot that is genuinely sad, that shows a little girl cuddling her new baby doll, happiest little kid you've ever seen, and the back of it rips out and all of her stuffing falls out at once. Like...goddamn man, that's sad. Anyway, Grampy becomes this weird kinda steampunk Santa clause, and shows up with good Christmas food and toys to play with. I'm only realizing just now how sentimental I feel towards some of these older cartoons. I think I might go watch the one I just described now.

Ester Jones was the original Betty Boop! History is gold…

I love Betty Boop.💖💖

betty boop was my shit as a child

No one explained why her head was so massive. I can't believe censors forced her to wear a longer dress, it's a cartoon for heaven's sake.

"Was Betty Boop inspired by a black woman? Esther “Baby Esther” Jones was a black singer in the late 1920s who worked often at the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York. She was known for singing in a distinctive baby voice. Her signature song was “I Wanna Be Loved By You” where she scatted the lines “Boop oop a doop.” According to testimony from Jones’ manager, Helen Kane saw Esther Jones’ act in 1928. Later, Jones learned that Kane was using, or had stolen her style of singing and she took her to court. A test sound film showed Jones performing, which disproved Kane’s claim that she was originator of the style. A Supreme Court Judge ruled that the baby technique did not start with Kane since she “failed to sustain either cause of action by proof of sufficient probative force.” Jones was awarded with a $250,000 infringement lawsuit but unfortunately was presumed dead in 1934, right around the time the lawsuit was ending." They are giving Helen Kane the credit because she won the court case. That's why Mojo said it.

I LOVE BETTY AND POPEY THEY WERE WHAT I USE TO WATCH WHEN I WAS LITTLE

Weird they didn't mention Esther Jones, when Betty Boop was clearly built on her STYLE...

This is a great video and I learned a lot. However, I do wish it had mentioned Mae Questel who voiced her in an overwhelming number of the series, plus all of the Olive Oyl character in Popeye the Sailor Man. Mae can be seen in person in Nat'l Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and in Funny Girl.

0:36 this is so freaking creepy...

I love Betty boop

For some reason she scared me as a child

Betty Boop:) She will always be remembered :)

this used to be my everything.

This feisty, baby-faced flapper is one of my most favorite cartoon characters! :)

guys they said betty boop is 17 years old

Physical appearance/Style = Helen. Voice/Mannerisms = Ester.

When my mom's boyfriend was a kid, he had a friend and that friend's Grandma voiced Betty boop. My mom's boyfriend actually met Betty boop 😂

I love Betty Boop 😍🥰😘

THIS, WORD TO WORD WAS ON WIKIPEDIA

Betty and Kane look just alike! Wow!

One of my neighbors had a Betty boop statue and my dog was so scared of it lol

You mentioned Margie Hines but no mention of Mae Questel??? Mae WAS what actually made Betty Boop!!!

Like steffin phifer said, she was based on Ester jones

For clarification Betty Boops DESIGN was based off Hellen Kane and her VOICE was inspired by "Baby" Esther

Funny how so many people are angrily commenting that Mojo got it wrong when in fact THEY are wrong. The rumor of it being Mrs Esther Jones started on tumblr, where pretty much no facts are found. The truth of the matter is that Esther originally booped when singing. Helen Kane started doing it too. No it's not stealing because it's not a thing to have ownership over in the first place. Everything else, from the way she moved and acted to her voice and appearance were based on Helen Kane.

Betty is so freaking CUTE!

Is Betty Boop Black or White? "Betty Boop's singing voice is based on a Blackwoman named Esther Jones who used to sing like that. A White woman named Helen Kane saw her sing and stole her style. A lawsuit even proved she stole it. But the cartoon character, is just a white character that is most likely based on Helen Kane."

Betty: Yeah what a lucky girl (in a Brooklyn accent) Me: WHERE ARE YOU, FROM BROOKLYN

Betty boop used to be famous I 💖 u betty

I never noticed that Betty Boop was a dog! Thanks for the info :)

I always thought her look was inspired by Clara Bow...

Did you know that Mae Questel Voice of Betty Boop, was Aunt Bethany in the movie Christmas Vacation.

I thought she had been inspired at least in part by Esther Johnes.

Just because Esther did the “boop boop doop” first DOESNT mean she was the one who inspired Betty

Baby Esther Jones was the one and only original 20's Boop flap! Helen Kane was so enthrawled with the Jones act, that she immitated it and made it as part of her own act. Max Fleischer was inspired by the Kane character, whom he later found out about its origins. That's when he got hit up with a law suit by Kane for originality. It was over thrown because of lack of evidence of originality by Kane, by which the judge made honorable mention of Baby Jones.... Esther Jones passed away in 1932 when Betty Boop was only 2 years old. Well over 80 years ago.... PS... Kane was not the only immitation of the Baby Jones act. Many before Kane Immitated this original act by the one and true original Betty Boop 'Baby' Esther Jones.

Betty boop is amazing

The origin of fanservice anime. :P

Not Hellen Kane, she stole the identity. It was actually Baby Ester that was the inspiration.

Betty Boop makes Jessica Rabbit look sick!

Oh my god i miss betty boop I have not watched it since I was very young since I was 4 years old back in 2007. 😁😊😚 It does bring back memories

i dont know why but old black and white cartoons creep me out

AAAAA betty is so cute i love her

Funny they didnt mention that this character's likeness was ripped off a black singer in the late 20s, you wouldnt know about this cuz they try to keep it from being public knowledge.

Man, I loved her so much when I was a kid, and still like her even now

So, her original cartoons were a little like hentai. lol I really love Betty Boop, though. She is so cute!

I loved her so much

My grandpa calls her his girlfriend and collects her merchandise

I love Betty Boop!

*MORE Trivia you missed out:* Betty Boop's character was also Jewish, and supposed to be only 16! (creepy age now when you think about it lol) NO description of the voice actor or photos of her? Awww c'mon! Same woman voiced Olive Oyl from the Popeye cartoons, and even voiced Popeye _himself_ at one point when he (Popeye voice actor) was drafted!

Actual substantive content from WatchMojo, that's new.

This is inaccurate! It was not based off of Helen Kane, but ester Esther Jones a black lounge singer from the 30's

I love Betty boop even this day

Can you do an episode on the origins of Felix the Cat for us please?