When it comes to cartoon characters, their features are often exaggerated to make them more visually distinct and memorable. And while some characters have distinctive eyes, ears, or hair, there’s one feature that stands out above the rest: the nose. From Pinocchio’s long wooden nose to Squidward Tentacles’ large aquiline snout, cartoon characters with big noses have become icons in their own right. But why are big noses so prevalent in animation? And what makes these characters so lovable and enduring? Who nose? Let’s take a closer look at the fascinating world of cartoon characters with big noses and find out! To make things even more exciting, we’ll rank them by their nose size.
30. Mr. Burns from The Simpsons
Starting our list of cartoon characters with big noses, Charles Montgomery “Monty” Burns is a wealthy businessman who is the owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, and is known for being greedy, manipulative, and cruel. He is an elderly man with a bald head and a prominent and long beak-like nose. He is often portrayed wearing a suit and tie and is usually seen with a scowl on his face. Mr. Burns is known for being a villainous character who often does things that are unethical or even criminal to achieve his goals. However, he is also a source of comedic relief on the show and is often portrayed in a satirical manner, poking fun at the excesses and greed of corporate culture.
29. Lois Griffin from Family Guy
One of the best female cartoon characters with big noses, Lois is the wife of the show’s main character, Peter Griffin. Lois is an attractive 43 years old woman with long red hair and a slender build. She typically wears a red blouse and a knee-length skirt and is often seen carrying out household chores or caring for her family. In one of the episodes, it is revealed that the distinct shape of Lois’s nose is because of her mother’s family. For some reason, Lois never figured that Grandma Hebrewberg might be Jewish.
28. Gru from Despicable Me
A supervillain-turned-hero, Gru becomes a father figure to three young girls named Margo, Edith, and Agnes. Gru is a tall, slender man with a bald head and a long, pointed nose. His nose is one of his most distinctive physical features. Gru’s nose is quite large and hooked, which has led to some humorous moments in the Despicable Me movies. For example, in the first movie, there’s a scene where Gru tries to disguise himself by wearing a fake nose that is even larger than his real one. Additionally, there are several jokes throughout the franchise that plays off of Gru’s nose, such as when he uses it to pick a lock or when it gets stuck in a vending machine.
27. Lilo from Lilo and Stitch
Lilo is a Hawaiian brunette girl who befriends an alien creature named Stitch and helps him learn about life on Earth. She is short and chubby with dark and almond-shaped brown eyes and a big nose. There is one scene in the movie where her nose becomes the focus of a humorous moment. In the scene, Lilo is trying to teach Stitch how to dance the hula, but he is having trouble with the movements. To help him, Lilo suggests that he “use his nose” to guide his hips, and proceeds to wiggle her nose comically.
26. Nigel Thornberry from The Wild Thornberrys
One of the best male characters with big noses, Sir Nigel Thornberry is the father of the show’s main character, Eliza Thornberry, and is a famous nature show host who travels the world with his family. Sir Nigel is depicted as a tall, lanky man with a bushy mustache and a large, distinctive nose. His nose is often portrayed as being particularly prominent and bulbous. Nigel’s large nose has become something of a running joke throughout the show, with many of the characters making lighthearted references to its size and shape. Despite this, Nigel is generally portrayed as a warm, loving father and a passionate conservationist who is dedicated to his work and his family.
25. Pearl from Steven Universe
Pearl is a member of a group of magical alien beings called the Crystal Gems, who protect the Earth from various threats. She is a perfectionist and often takes charge in battle, using her proficiency in sword-fighting to protect her friends and loved ones. Pearl has a distinctive nose, which is pointed and angular. The reason for her long nose, according to one theory, is that Pearl has a bit of a superiority complex. Her long nose helps give the sense of her looking her nose down on others when she feels they are wrong.
24. Gargamel from The Smurfs
One of the best male characters with big noses, Gargamel is an evil wizard who is obsessed with capturing and eating the small, blue Smurfs. However, in some episodes, he wants to turn them into gold or simply destroy them. Despite his evil nature, Gargamel is sometimes portrayed as a sympathetic character, particularly in adaptations that delve into his backstory. He has a large, long hooked nose, which is exaggerated in size and shape.
23. Billy from The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
One of the first characters that come to mind when discussing cartoon characters with big noses is Billy. Billy is one of the titular characters, alongside Grim Reaper and Mandy. He resides in Endsville and is best known for his close friendship with Grim Reaper and Mandy. Billy’s most distinctive physical features include his unusually large, slightly bulbous, pink nose. He can often be seen wearing a white t-shirt with blue stripes and blue jeans. Despite his low IQ and penchant for getting into trouble, Billy is a loyal friend who enjoys spending time with Grim Reaper and Mandy.
22. Grumpy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
While only two of the seven dwarfs have small noses, Grumpy’s nose is noticeably bigger than anyone else’s. Maybe that is why he is Grumpy! True to his name, Grumpy is irritable and short-fused. Often portrayed with a scowl and crossed arms, Grumpy is frequently annoyed by the other six dwarfs. Deep down, Grumpy possesses a warm heart but seldom chooses to show it. Or as Snow White puts it: “Why Grumpy, you do care!”
21. Squidward from SpongeBob SquarePants
One of the most famous ugly cartoon characters with big noses, Squidward Tentacles works as a cashier in at the Krusty Krab restaurant, where he is frequently irritated by SpongeBob’s loud behavior. Despite his name containing the word “Squid”, Squidward is an octopus. Squidward has a noticeably long schnoz that is so iconic that it was even referred to in the song “Squidward Nose” by the rapper Cupcakke.
20. Phineas from Phineas and Ferb
One of the two protagonists of the Show, Phineas Flynn attempts to avoid monotony by finding something new to do for each day of his summer vacation/ Together with his stepbrother Ferb Fletcher, Phineas devises all sorts of activities that usually involve bizarre machines, including roller coasters, roller rinks, and a backyard beach. Phineas has a large pointy nose that covers the entire red hair head, forming a triangle. All characters in the show are drawn with geometric shapes included in their structure. In Phineas’ case, it is that of a triangle.
19. Flint from Cloudy with the Chance of Meatballs
Flint Lockwood is a young inventor who dreams of creating something that will change the world and make people happy. He is highly intelligent but socially awkward and often misunderstood by the people in his small town of Swallow Falls. He lives with his father, Tim, who is supportive of his inventions but also worries about his son’s well-being. Throughout the movie, Flint invents a machine that turns water into food, which leads to chaos and destruction when the machine malfunctions and creates oversized food that rains down on the town. Flint then goes on a journey to save his town and stop the out-of-control food weather. Flint has blue eyes and an oversized nose and head.
18. Captain K’nuckles from The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack
Captain K’nuckles is a middle-aged, washed-up pirate who lives in the fictional city of Stormalong Harbor. He is Flapjack’s best friend and mentor and often accompanies him on his adventures. Captain K’nuckles is a highly flawed character, often depicted as a lazy, selfish, and dishonest person who frequently lies and exaggerates his stories to make himself look better. He is addicted to candy and often trades and schemes to get his fix. Despite his flaws, Captain K’nuckles has a good heart and cares for Flapjack like a father figure. Throughout the series, Captain K’nuckles often gets into trouble due to his recklessness and poor decision-making, which sometimes puts Flapjack in danger. However, he is always willing to make amends for his mistakes and help Flapjack when he needs it. His distinctive appearance includes a long nose, a scruffy beard, and a pirate hat.
17. The Little Man from Pink Panther
Originally named The Little Man and The White Man, the character was later officially renamed Big Nose. Big Nose appeared throughout the animated series in its 16-year duration and is considered the main antagonist of the series. As his name suggests, Big Nose has a distinctive big nose. He also has a scruffy mustache. Big Nose suffers from unceasing bad luck, as things keep going wrong for him, while almost everything goes right for his archenemy, the Pink Panther.
16. Stan from Gravity Falls
Stanley Pines, aka Grunkle Stan, is Dipper and Mabel Pines’ great uncle and summer guardian. He runs a dubious tourist trap called the Mystery Shack in the remote town of Gravity Falls, Oregon, where he exploits the gullibility of the “dumbest people in the world”. As such, Grunkle Stan is a bad role model to Dipper and Mabel, making them work painting fake dollars and other illegal stuff. However, in other areas, Stan is a commendably loyal, caring man, whose dedication and hard work allow him to learn complex science and multiple languages, all without even a high school diploma. As you can see, Stan bears a large, pear-shaped, bumpy, reddish-pinkish nose, which got him on this list. He also has rather large ears.
15. Jafar from Aladdin
The main antagonist of the film, Jafar is the Royal Vizier of Agrabah and the Sultan’s most trusted advisor. In truth, Jafar dedicated his life to gaining ownership of a magic lamp he would use to overtake Sultan’s throne. Jafar looks creepy and has an evil face that is depicted with hooded eyes, a big hooknose, and a twisted beard.
14. Professor Farnsworth from Futurama
The CEO and owner of Planet Express Delivery Company, Professor Farnsworth is super intelligent. However, his intellect is somewhat hampered by his senility. He is the inventor of Multiple Doomsday Devices, the Alternate Universe Device The Universal Translator, and many more devices. He also built The Planet Express ship and invented an early model of the Bender robot. These inventions put him among the most intelligent cartoon characters ever. He does a big, weird nose, though
13. Sylvester the Cat from Looney Tunes
Sylvester is a black and white cat with a big red nose. His main job in the cartoon is to chase Tweety or Speedy Gonzales. However, despite his persistence, he was always on the “loser” side of the Looney Tunes hierarchy. Like Daffy Duck, Sylvester has a sloppy lisp that makes his trademark cry: “Sufferin’ succotash!” even funnier.
12. Mr. Wilson from Dennis the Menace
The grouchy neighbor of Dennis Mitchell the Menace, George Wilson is often frustrated by Dennis’s antics, but he also has a soft spot for the boy and is sometimes shown to be a mentor to him. Mr. Wilson is a retired postal carrier who attempts to live a quiet life but is often interrupted by Dennis. Mr. Wilson has a distinctively large nose that is a prominent feature of his appearance.
11. Colette from Ratatouille
One of the most inspiring female cartoon characters with big noses, Collete Tatou is the only female cook of Gusteau’s in Paris. Self-proclaimed “toughest cook in the kitchen”, Colette was at an immediate disadvantage due to the misogynistic views within her profession but proved herself to be gifted through years of hard work and made it to the top. She is the key to the movie’s message that anyone can achieve his or her dreams. Colette is a beautiful woman with a big nose.
10. Dick Dastardly from Hanna Barbera
A very villainous, pompous cartoon character, Dick Dastardly enjoys causing problems to others and becomes manic when his plans fail. He appeared in several animated series created by Hanna Barbera Production, in different roles, including a race driver, whose car name is ‘The Mean Machine’. Dick Dastardly has a big nose and a mustache. He usually wears a blue overcoat with red gloves.
9. Stimpy from The Ren & Stimpy Show
Stimpson J. “Stimpy” Cat is an overweight Manx cat with a big blue nose. Most of the time the brown cartoon character is absurdly stupid, however, in some episodes, he is depicted as smart enough to be a chef or a scientist. Stimpy’s best friend is Ren who is a skinny, emotionally unstable, and sociopathic “Asthma Hound” Chihuahua. Together, they have the wackiest, most bizarre, and most surreal adventures.
8. Asterix from Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion
A tiny but fearless Gaulish Warrior, Asterix is always eager for new escapades! Asterix lives in a village in northwest Armorica that is surrounded on one side by the ocean and on the other by four Roman garrisons. Together with his clumsy, oversized, but extremely strong and good-hearted friend, Obelix, Asterix goes on dangerous and exotic missions.
7. Hugh Neutron from Jimmy Neutron Franchise
Jimmy Neutron’s father is a clueless and dim-witted man who is obsessed with ducks, pies, and toying with his son’s inventions, which causes trouble for everyone. However, Hugh is a good father who tries to counsel Jimmy the best he can, irrespective of whether his advice is being told foolishly. Regardless of any of his “bad qualities”, Hugh’s dimwitted and bizarre nature is a fertile ground for many hilarious and memorable moments.
6. Bruno Madrigal from Encanto
Bruno is Mirabel’s hated uncle who can see the future. He is the “black sheep” of the Madrigals, resulting in his estrangement from the family. However, his deep love for his family has kept him close to them. Bruno has a really big prominent nose.
5. Goofy from Disney’s Cartoons
Well, I know Goofy is a dog, but even for a dog, he has a big nose. I mean, Goofy can probably hide Mickey in it. Goofy is famous for his slapstick style and often appears alongside his friends Mickey and Donald. He is clumsy, skinny, and very accident-prone, and constantly gets into trouble. However, his good luck usually keeps him from any actual harm. We often see him walking away from life-threatening situations with a smile and his trademark laugh.
4. Big Nose from Tangled
Big Nose is the “most handsome” of all the Pub Thugs in the seedy pub known as the Snuggly Duckling. He is a hopeless romantic, and his dream is to find love in someone who can see his inner beauty. Unlike the other Pub Thugs, he is well-spoken and speaks philosophically. His hope to find true love got him, nicknamed “Loverboy” by Attila. Big Nose does have a gigantic schnozzle, but he is somehow still pretty!
3. Ice King from Adventure Time
Ice King, also known as Simon Petrikov, Ice King was once a human archaeologist who discovered an enchanted crown that granted him ice powers but also drove him slowly insane. The crown’s powers also caused physical changes in his body, including the growth of a large, long nose. Throughout the series, Ice King is portrayed as a tragic figure, often misunderstood and lonely. He is obsessed with capturing princesses to be his wives, which is often played for laughs but is also a reflection of his deep-seated loneliness and longing for human connection. Despite his villainous tendencies, Ice King has moments of kindness and empathy, and he eventually becomes one of the most complex and sympathetic characters in the show.
2. Con Artist Al Swindler from Garfield and Friends
Wow, just look at that schnozz! Al Swindler is a car salesperson and con artist, who constantly cons the ever-gullible Jon, but is always eventually outsmarted by Garfield. For example, one time he tricked Jon into selling his house to him for two cents, but Garfield managed to turn things around after he spooked Swindler into believing the house is haunted. As you can see, Al Swindler has a huge nose.
1. Pinocchio from Pinocchio
The main character in the Disney animated movie Pinocchio and our top spot for this list, Pinocchio is a wooden puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy. Throughout the movie, Pinocchio learns valuable lessons about honesty, bravery, and selflessness, as he encounters various obstacles and temptations on his journey toward becoming a real boy. Pinocchio’s nose is a notable feature in the movie, as it grows longer whenever he tells a lie. At the beginning of the movie, his nose is of average size, but as he tells more lies, it grows longer and longer. Pinocchio’s extending nose is his best-known characteristic.
