Rudolph

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a fictional character associated with Christmas folklore. He originated as a promotional character created in 1939 by Robert L. May for the department store Montgomery Ward. In May’s narrative, Rudolph is a young reindeer who is teased by the other reindeer for his unusually bright red nose.

According to the story, Rudolph’s nose glows with a red light, which makes him an outcast during his youth. When fog obscures Santa Claus’s route on Christmas Eve, Rudolph’s glowing nose provides a guiding beacon, enabling Santa to complete his deliveries. Rudolph is subsequently accepted as a member of Santa’s sleigh team.

Rudolph gained widespread fame through the 1949 song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” with lyrics by Johnny Marks and popularized by Gene Autry, who recorded it as a single. The song’s popularity helped broaden Rudolph’s narrative beyond the original booklet and promotional materials. In 1964, Rankin/Bass produced a stop-motion television special titled “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” which has become a long-running holiday broadcast and solidified Rudolph’s place in American Christmas culture. The special features Burl Ives as the narrator and includes the subplot about the Island of Misfit Toys.

Over time Rudolph has become one of the best-known Christmas characters, appearing in various media, merchandise, and adaptations. The character’s story is commonly cited as a tale of overcoming prejudice and valuing individuality and unique qualities, contributing to its enduring presence in holiday entertainment and popular culture.