There have been many big cats in Hollywood history, but the Pink Panther is unique. From his first appearance on the Hollywood scene, in 1964, it was clear a star was born!

Today, almost thirty-five years after the Pink Panther’s historic debut in Blake Edward’s motion picture classic of the same name, millions of people of all ages, in countries around the world, continue to be enchanted by the world’s wittiest cartoon personality. Millions of fans enjoy his cartoons on television and video cassette; follow his adventures and mishaps in books, comic albums, and magazines; and millions more buy countless quality products - from plush dolls to fashion apparel to ice cream popsicles - all bearing the Pink Panther’s suave, sophisticated image.

Given the Pink Panther’s somewhat elusive nature, one might wonder how this inimitable pink creature became the world’s best-loved animated movie personality.

It all began with a movie about a search for a fabulous, though flawed, Pink diamond known as the Pink Panther. In looking for a way to set the scene and mood of the movie before the story opened, producer/director Blake Edwards turned to the animation genius of Friz Freleng and his partner David DePatie. It was the DePatie-Freleng team who created our ultimate symbol of wit and nonchalance – a long, lanky panther who communicated through thoughts and actions, never spoken words.

For the musical score, Blake Edwards brought in distinguished composer/conductor Henry Mancini who wrote what is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable themes of all time, a theme that forever heralds the stealthy approach of the Pink Panther.

From his first paw print on the screen, the Pink Panther was an instant success. After his introduction in the credits of the Pink Panther movie, his career soared. He soon started an independent series of theatrical shorts, the first of which, "Think Pink," was awarded an Oscar. Two years later, another Pink Panther cartoon short, "The Pink Blueprint," earned an Oscar nomination.

It wasn’t long before television recognized the Panther’s special star quality and NBC signed him on with an exclusive contract. The network acquired all 140 of his theatrical shorts and aired them on Saturday mornings from 1968 to 1973. ABC was the next television network to woo this now internationally known cartoon character and, late in 1973, offered audiences a new series of 36 six-minute Pink Panther animated shorts.

In 1975, the Pink Panther returned to his first love, the movies. Between 1975 and 1982, he was featured in the main titles of a series of Blake Edward’s Pink Panther movie sequels, including "The Pink Panther Strikes Again," "Revenge of the Pink Panther," "The Trial of the Pink Panther" and "The Curse of the Pink Panther." In all but the last of these, he shared the limelight with the brilliant talents of Peter Sellers playing the role of Inspector Clouseau.

In the fall of 1982, MGM/UA television put a total of 176 Pink Panther shorts into syndication, covering virtually every major market in the United States. Currently, in worldwide markets, with over 220 cartoon shorts in distribution, the Pink Panther - variously known in international circles as La Panth�re Rose, Rose Pantern, or La Pantera Rosa – continues to win the hearts of new generations of adoring fans.