Characters
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
(Voiced by Billie Mae Richards)
The main character, Rudolph is the lovable young reindeer who is initially outcasted because of his glowing nose. Because of this, he runs away and makes friends along the way. Eventually, Rudolph's nose comes in handy and everyone is sorry for the way they treated him.
Sam the Snowman(Voiced by Burl Ives)
The narrator of the story, Sam is the first character we meet. For some reason he holds a green umbrella, and opens it when he tells about the abominable snowmonster. Throughout, Sam sings us songs that became almost as classic as the film itself, a few being "Silver and Gold" and "Holly Jolly Christmas."
Santa(Voiced by Stan Francis)
A character that everyone thinks they already know, Santa is the first character besides Rudolph's father, Donner, who is appauled by his glowing nose. Santa is somewhat cranky, worried about Christmas coming so quickly, that he complains about the "silly elf song" and isn't eating enough to fit into his Santa suit. Eventually he realizes that he needs Rudolph just the way he is and apologizes. Then he's finally happy and fat.
Hermey(Voiced by Paul Soles)
Hermey is one of Santa's elves who doesn't like to make toys, he wants to be a dentist instead. He runs away and crosses paths with Rudolph, and they decide to be "independent together." Poor Hermey has had so many variations of his name in the media and memorabilia (Herbey, Herbie, Hermy...).
Yukon Cornelius(Voiced by Larry D. Mann) While Hermey and Rudolph are on their journey, they meet the self-proclaimed "greatest prospector in the North" - Yukon Cornelius. He is always searching for gold or silver, throwing his pick in the air, letting it land in the ground, then picking it up and licking it only to find, "nothin'." Yukon fights the Bumble and they fall over a cliff, but return in the end because "bumbles bounce!" In the original production, one of the last scenes outside of Santa's castle, Cornelius discovers a peppermint mine - what he's been searching for all his life (this scene was added back in 1998).
The Abominable Snowmonster (a.k.a., "Bumble")The abominable snowmonster pursues Hermey and Rudolph throughout their adventure because Rudolph's glowing red nose always gives them away. When he threatens Rudolph and his family at his cave, Yukon and Hermey come to the rescue by knocking the monster unconscious and extracting all his teeth. From there, Yukon Cornelius decides to push him over a cliff and they both fall. In the end, they return to Santa's castle because "bumbles bounce!" Cornelius has reformed the bumble and the snowmonster helps by topping the tall Christmas tree with a star.
Foreman Elf
The head elf is one we quickly grow to hate. He is furious that Hermey would rather be a dentist than make toys. As a result, Hermey decides to run away. In the end, the head elf agrees to let Hermey open a dentist office. Wonder why his voice changes as he's ready to conduct the elves in "We are Santa's Elves?" There's no for-sure answer, but it is assumed that the Canadian voice talent that was used for the special was not available for last minute changes when it was redubbed in the US.
ClariceClarice is a sweet young doe who meets Rudolph during the reindeer games. At first, he has his false nose on, but while rough-housing with another deer, Fireball, his false nose comes off. Rudolph is made fun of and runs off, but Clarice catches up and convinces him that she likes his nose just the way it is.
Misfit ToysThe Island of Misfit Toys is the home of toys that no little boy or girl wants. Yukon, Hermey and Rudolph accidentally land on the island and ask King Moonraiser if they can stay since they're misfits, too. Unfortunately, the island is for toys alone, so he lets them stay the night, when Rudolph sneaks out on his own. In the end, Santa returns to the island to pick up the misfit toys to find them homes for Christmas.
Other Characters
