Yakko, Wakko, and Dot
Yakko, Wakko, and Dot, also known as "The Warner Brothers (and Sister)" are three fictional cartoon characters featured on the hit show; Animaniacs. A trio of red-nosed Warner siblings that are considered to be the stars of the ensemble of characters on the show; they appear in the logo, and the show usually begins and ends with gags performed by them. Adding to their uniqueness is the fact that they aren't cartoon representatives of any actual animal.
The first episode of Animaniacs established a backstory for Yakko, Wakko and Dot. According to the show, they were created at the Warner Studios as part of the animation boom of the 30's -- hence, the similar character design to other animation stars of the time like Bosko and Honey. However, the three of them were so crazy and caused so much mayhem that studio execs decided to have them locked in the water tower, "never to be released." This move apparently worked well at first, but by the first episode (set in the present), Yakko Wakko and Dot were able to escape frequently and at will.
The comedy that the trio performed can be described as an updated version of that of The Marx Brothers and early Bugs Bunny cartoons; each segment would usually involve them at odds with an authority-figure antagonist, defeating any attempts at control with a non-stop barrage of slapstick comedy and wit. However, one notable difference is that while Bugs was usually defending himself against an aggressor, it is characteristic for the Warners to wreak havoc only because they enjoy it. The Warners were not complete anarchists, however: in an episode titled "The Sound of Warners", they wouldn't fight back against a Julie Andrews-esque nanny because she wasn't attacking them, only being excessively mothering and annoyingly saccharine--hence, establishing a sort of moral core for the Warners. Wanting her gone but seeing their hands were tied, they asked Slappy Squirrel to come in and deal with her as only she could: explosively.
Thaddeus Plotz, CEO of the cartoon enterprise, has Ralph the security guard catch them when they run loose. Other recurring human characters include Dr. Otto Scratchensniff and Hello Nurse as the therapists who try to civilize them and teach them manners. Scratchensniff is a lanky, bald, myopic man with thick glasses, a peanut-shaped head, and a thick Austrian accent. A stereotypical Freudian psychologist, he keeps a bust of Sigmund Freud on his desk which he talks to and sometimes uses a puppet that looks like himself in his therapy. The Warners vex him endlessly...but they love him (and the boys love his sexy nurse).
Each of the trio has a unique personality and role in the group:
Yakko Warner: Generally the leader, mainly because he talks the most. Highly reminiscent of Groucho Marx, he wears brown slacks. Has a tendency to pounce attractive women.
Voice Actor: Rob Paulsen
Wakko Warner: Wearing a red cap and blue shirt, he speaks with a Liverpool accent. He's the middle child, and subsequently the most weird and absurdist of the bunch. Often pulls objects from his "Gag Bag" when situations call for it. He generally supplies the more crude humor sometimes featured on the show. Wakko has a large appetite, and will eat almost anything, including gum found under a seat and even rocks. He is also violently afraid of clowns(violent towards the clown, that is!).
Voice Actor: Jess Harnell
Dot Warner: The only sister, who wears a skirt and a flower tie in her hair. Also known as "Princess Angelina Cantessa Louisa Francesca Banana Fanna Bo Besca...the Third." Offensively cute and annoyingly aware of it, she is very confident. She is arguably the smartest one, and occassionally the most overtly aggressive. As she puts it, "Call me Dotty, and you die."
Voice Actor: Tress MacNeille
Typically of Animaniacs characters, the Warner siblings were part of a loosely-defined cast of players and often made appearances in other Animaniacs segments (as well as hosting occassional appearance by characters from other Animaniacs cartoons).
The trio make cameo appearances on the following Animaniacs segments: