Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The animated series Kissyfur originally premiered on September 13, 1986, making 2026 the show's 40th anniversary. Created by Phil Mendez and produced by DIC Entertainment, the beloved Saturday morning cartoon ran for two seasons on NBC!
Trivia:
Originally conceived as a story for his son, the concept was adapted into a half-hour NBC prime-time special titled Kissyfur: Bear Roots in December 1985, which eventually evolved into a Saturday morning cartoon series that ran from 1986 to 1988!
The origins and premise of the series follow:
The Circus Roots: The show follows an 8-year-old circus bear cub named Christopher (whose friends couldn't pronounce his name properly, leading to the nickname "Kissyfur") and his father, Gus.
Life Changes: Seeking a fresh start after the tragic death of Kissyfur's mother during a performance, Gus decides to leave the big top.
The Escape: Capitalizing on a convenient circus train derailment, the two bears escape their human captors to start a peaceful new life in the swamps of Paddlecab County.The Swamp: Upon arriving in the wetlands, Kissyfur and Gus establish a boat taxi business to transport other animal residents, which frequently puts them at odds with the local, hungry alligators, Floyd and Jolene.
The show was produced by NBC Productions in cooperation with DIC Animation City and featured the voice acting of talents like RJ Williams (Kissyfur) and Ed Gilbert (Gus)!
The animated series Kissyfur originally premiered on September 13, 1986, making 2026 the show's 40th anniversary. Created by Phil Mendez and produced by DIC Entertainment, the beloved Saturday morning cartoon ran for two seasons on NBC!
Trivia:
Originally conceived as a story for his son, the concept was adapted into a half-hour NBC prime-time special titled Kissyfur: Bear Roots in December 1985, which eventually evolved into a Saturday morning cartoon series that ran from 1986 to 1988!
The origins and premise of the series follow:
The Circus Roots: The show follows an 8-year-old circus bear cub named Christopher (whose friends couldn't pronounce his name properly, leading to the nickname "Kissyfur") and his father, Gus.
Life Changes: Seeking a fresh start after the tragic death of Kissyfur's mother during a performance, Gus decides to leave the big top.
The Escape: Capitalizing on a convenient circus train derailment, the two bears escape their human captors to start a peaceful new life in the swamps of Paddlecab County.The Swamp: Upon arriving in the wetlands, Kissyfur and Gus establish a boat taxi business to transport other animal residents, which frequently puts them at odds with the local, hungry alligators, Floyd and Jolene.
The show was produced by NBC Productions in cooperation with DIC Animation City and featured the voice acting of talents like RJ Williams (Kissyfur) and Ed Gilbert (Gus)!
