Felix the Cat is widely considered the world’s first animated film star. He first appeared as ‘Master Tom’ in an animated short titled Feline Follies, released by Paramount Studios on 9 November 1919, a full nine years before Mickey Mouse’s debut in Disney’s Steamboat Willie (1928).

Felix was created by animator and cartoonist Otto Messmer, who worked for the New York-based animation studio Pat Sullivan. Messmer drew the character in a minimalist style, with a black body, white eyes, and a giant grin. He was given the name Felix by Pat Sullivan, who named him after a Latin word meaning “happy” or “lucky”.

The character quickly became popular with audiences, and soon Felix was appearing in more than forty animated shorts. He starred in his own comic strip, which ran from 1923 to 1924, and was featured in merchandise such as toys, books, and postcards. Felix also made appearances in other media, including a cameo in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.

So, how old is Felix the Cat? Well, if we take into account the date of his first appearance in Feline Follies, then Felix is currently 101 years old. That’s right, the world’s first animated film star is now a centenarian!

Felix’s popularity has endured for over a century, and he is still beloved by fans around the world. He has been featured in numerous television shows, films, and video games, and his image is still used on merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, and plush toys.

In 2009, Felix was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2017, he was inducted into the Animation Hall of Fame. He has also been the subject of numerous books, including Felix the Cat: The Official Guide to His Animated Adventures (2010) and Felix the Cat: The Movie (2017).

Felix the Cat is an iconic figure in the history of animation, and his popularity shows no signs of waning. He has been a source of joy and inspiration for generations of fans, and his legacy will no doubt continue to live on for many years to come.

So, there you have it – Felix the Cat is 101 years old! It’s amazing to think that this beloved character has been entertaining us for over a century, and his popularity shows no signs of slowing down. He’s a true icon of animation, and a reminder of the power of imagination and creativity. Here’s to many more years of Felix the Cat!