Wyoming Willie almost made the cut. Yosemite Sam almost had a different name.

Warner Bros. Animation initially had a few names to choose from for this hot and hair (hare) triggered temper tantrum with a mustache. The other options were Texas Tiny, Wyoming Willie, and Denver Dan. Inspired by the national park, Yosemite Sam won.

Animator Friz Freleng introduced this diminutive anger-ball in the 1945 cartoon Hare Trigger. Wyoming Willie, I mean, Yosemite Sam has had several career changes over the years and aka's to go with them. He’s been a prospector, outlaw, pirate and cowboy. Appearing over the years in some 33 shorts, he has had many names; Chilcoot Sam, Square-Deal Sam, Riff Raff Sam, Shanghai Sam, Sam Schultz and Sam Von Shamm, the Hessian.

Still, here in the Cowboy State, I like to think of him as…. well, you know…

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