Like Kermit once sang, "It's not easy being green." Or is it? These green cartoon characters have had great success on TV, whether they're starring in their own series or just showing up in a handful of episodes. This list isn't strict, meaning the character's skin doesn't have to be green. I've also included characters, like the Green Lantern, whose overall appearance is green. Scroll down to see who else is on the long list of green cartoon characters.
01
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Hulk
Greenest of the green characters is Hulk, a.k.a. Dr. Bruce Banner. He leapt from the comic books in 1966 when he starred inMarvel Super Heroes.Since then Hulk has been in several other cartoons, includingThe Incredible Hulk, The Incredible Hulk/Amazing Spider-Man Hour,The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroesand, not to mention the live-action TV series and various Marvel feature films.
Origin
Dr. Banner's experiments with gamma rays went awry and transformed him into the Hulk, but only when he's angry. Sometimes he's portrayed as an uncontrollable monster. Other times he is able to keep his head when he shifts into green mode. His favorite pastime? Like Captain America says inThe Avengers, "And Hulk? Smash."
02
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Beast Boy
Beast Boy is a member of the Teen Titans, a group of DC superheroes, led by Robin (of Batman and Robin). Beast Boy has appeared inTeen TitansandTeen Titans in Tokyo. Now he stars in Cartoon Network'sTeen Titans Go!. He uses his great sense of humor to hide the pain of his past.
Origin
As a boy, Garfield Logan nearly died. His parents saved his life by giving him an experimental serum, which gave him the ability to transform into an animal he has seen.
03
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She-Hulk
She-Hulk--a.k.a. Jennifer Walters--is the female version of The Hulk. Unlike The Hulk, she can control her transformation. She's been a team member of the Avengers and the Fantastic Four (taking Thing's place for a time). She's appeared inMarvel's Hulk and the Agents of Smash, The Super Hero Squad Show,Fantastic Four: World's Greatest HeroesandThe Incredible Hulk.
Origin:Jen Walters is the cousin of Dr. Bruce Banner (Hulk). When she was shot by a crime lord, who was out for revenge against her sheriff father, Banner gave her a blood transfusion to save her life. His blood, which contained gamma radiation, mutated her into She-Hulk.
04
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Kang and Kodos
Kang and Kodos are the green aliens onThe Simpsons.They have appeared in every "Treehouse of Horror" episode, the annual Halloween special. In 2015, we discovered Kang and Kodos are females in "The Man Who Came to Be Dinner."
Origin
In the very first "Treehouse of Horror," Kang and Kodos kidnap the Simpsons in a segment called "Hungry Are the Damned." Lisa accuses the aliens of fattening them up to eat them.
05
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Green Goblin
Green Goblin is a foe of Spider-Man. Sometimes he is drawn to have green skin, other times it's only his bodysuit that's green. He flies on a glider and his weapons of choice are bombs disguised as pumpkins. He's appeared in the originalSpider-ManTV cartoon, as well asSpider-Man and his Amazing Friends,Spider-Man: The Animated Series,Spider-Man Unlimited,The Spectacular Spider-ManandUltimate Spider-Man.
Origin
Norman Osborn became the Green Goblin when he used an unstable super-serum that had been developed by his own Osborn Industries. He gained amazing strength and speed, at the price of his sanity.
Mad Hatter
Mad Hatter is a Batman villain whose real name is Jervis Tetch. He frequently wears a green suit, complete with an over-sized top hat, that looks like the one from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. He has appeared inThe Batman/Superman Hour,Batman: The Animated Series,The New Adventures of BatmanandSuperman: The Animated Series.
Origin
Jervis Tetch is a patient at Arkham Asylum who has an unhealthy obsession with Alice in Wonderland. He is a neuroscientist and an inventor.He uses mind-controlling hats to wreak havoc at Arkham Asylum and in Gotham City.
07
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Leonardo are four brothers who happen to be ninja turtles. Under the tutelage of Master Splinter, they become stronger and smarter fighters, helping protect the residents of New York City from enemy mutants. These green reptiles have been through several incarnations, including the originalTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesTV cartoon, some made-for-TV specials, the currentTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesand a live-action feature film.
Origin
These pizza-loving turtles in the half shell started out as just turtles. When they were hit with a special serum, they mutated into the four ninjas we know and love.
08
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Plankton
Plankton is the green, one-eyed nemesis of Mr. Krabs onSpongeBob SquarePants. He has tried and failed several times to steal the Krabby Patty formula. Not only has he been the villain in several episodes ofSpongeBob SquarePants, but he also starred inThe SpongeBob SquarePants Movieand its sequel.
Origin
The not-so-proud owner of the Chum Bucket in Bikini Bottom.
09
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Yoda
Yoda is the Jedi master in theStar Warsuniverse. He appeared in all but the fourthStar Warsmovies. He also appeared in the TV cartoons (by Genndy Tartakovsky),Star Wars: The Clone Wars( from Dave Filoni), and theLego cartoon.
Origin
For over 800 years, Yoda trained Jedi Younglings and Padawans. He played a key role in the Clone Wars. Toward the end of his life, he trained Luke Skywalker to defeat his father, Darth Vader.
10
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Kermit
As Kermit so famously sang, "It's not easy being green." Kermit is mostly known in his Muppet form, but he was an animated character inMuppet Babies, which ran for 107 episodes.
Origin
Kermit the Frog is perhaps the most famous creation from Jim Henson. Kermit has starred inSesame Street,The Muppet Show, and several feature films, including Muppets Most Wanted in 2014.
11
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Mr. Gus
Mr. Gus is the dinosaur friend of Uncle Grandpa, on the cartoon of the same name. He helps Uncle Grandpa with the heavy lifting when he feels like it.
Origin
Mr. Gus is voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson (The Cleveland Show)
12
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Gamora
Gamora is the beautiful, but deadly, green-skinned member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. She has appeared in several Marvel TV cartoons, includingUltimate Spider-Man,andHulk and the Agents of Smash. She will play a big part in the upcomingGuardians of the GalaxyTV cartoon.
Origin
Thanos found Gamora as a baby and raised her to be an assassin. But when she realized his true nature was evil, she left him and began working toward peace in the universe.
13
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Doctor Doom
Doctor Doom has psychic power, as well as the ability to cast bolts of energy. This Marvel villain is listed here thanks to his trademark green cloak. He has appeared in TV cartoons likeFantastic Four,Spider-Man, and his Amazing Friends, Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes,Iron Man: Armored AdventuresandMarvel's Avengers Assemble.
Origin
Born in Latveria, Victor von Doom was the orphaned son of a witch and a doctor. He trained himself in his mother's mystic ways while educating himself to become a brilliant scientist.
14
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Green Lantern
The Green Lantern uses his ring of power to make any weapon he can think of out of pure energy. As a member of DC's Justice League, he's battled villains all over the universe. He has appeared inThe All-New Super Friends Hour,Super Friends,Superman: The Animated Series,Batman Beyond,Justice League, and then starred in his own show,Green Lantern: The Animated Series.
Origin
Hal Jordan was determined to follow in his late father's footsteps and become a great pilot. But when an alien crash-landed on our planet and bestowed his ring to Hal, he became part of the Green Lantern Corp., a trained organization that keeps the peace in the universe.
15
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Iron Fist
Iron Fist has amazing martial arts skills, as well as the ability to completely control his nervous system and focus his chi, allowing him to heal himself and become immune to pain. He has appeared inThe Super Hero Squad Show,Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes,Lego Marvel Super Heroes: Maximum OverloadandUltimate Spider-Man.
Origin
Daniel Rand watched his father die and his mother sacrifices herself to save his life. He was taken in by a mystical group at K'un-Lun, who taught him martial arts. Eventually, he fought and defeated Shou-Lao and gained the power of the Iron Fist.
16
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Green Arrow
Green Arrow is like Batman, in that he is a human who has trained himself to be a hero. As a member of the Justice League, he brings his exceptional aim as an archerand his mad skills in martial arts. He has starred alongside his DC buddies inSuper Friends,Justice League,The Batmanand Young Justice.
Origin
Oliver Queen was a spoiled billionaire brat who was left for dead on a remote island when his sailboat crashed. He came back to Starling City and began using his abilities to save people.
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Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy is a seductress bent on protecting plant life in Gotham City, no matter who gets hurt. Batman usually winds up entangled in her schemes. She uses her botanical knowledge and toxic kisses in her attempts to take over Gotham. She has appeared inBatman: The Animated Series,Justice League,The Batman, andBatman: The Brave and the Bold.
Origin
Poison Ivy, a.k.a. Dr. Pamela Isley was poisoned by her botany professor. She didn't die (although it was close) but instead developed an immunity to plant toxins. Her kiss and her blood can be deadly.
18
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Green Ninja
The Green Ninja was a hero of legend on Lego Ninjago, destined to defeat Lord Garmadon. Cole, Kai, Zane, and Jay -- the four main Spinjitzu warriors -- were surprised when the Green Ninja was revealed to be Lloyd.
Origin
Lloyd is actually the son of Lord Garmadon. Ouch!
19
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Ben 10
Ben 10 is so named because he uses his Omnitrix (a watch-like device) to transform into one of ten aliens for a span of ten minutes. He uses his powers to help people and fight other aliens. There have been several versions of Ben 10, includingBen 10: Alien Force,Ben 10: Alien Swarm,Ben 10: Ultimate AlienandBen 10: Omniverse.
Origin
Ben Tennyson is ten years old (natch) when he finds the Omnitrix.
20
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Loki
Loki, the adopted brother of Thor, is the reigning prankster in Asgard, as well as other realms. His forest green suit and cloak is what landed him on this list. (Favorite nickname? Reindeer Games, courtesy of Tony Stark inAvengers.) He has god-like strength and longevity, but he is also a sorcerer. He has been the central villain in many Marvel cartoons, includingSpider-Man and His Amazing Friends,The Super Hero Squad Show,The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes,Lego Marvel Super Heroes: Maximum Overload, Hulk and the Agents of Smash and Marvel's Avengers Assemble.
Origin
When Thor's father, Odin, defeated the Frost Giants, he discovered a baby who had been abandoned. He adopted Loki and brought him home to Asgard. Loki grew up jealous and resentful in Thor's shadow.
21
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Wembley Fraggle
Wembley (pictured center) is the Fraggle who loves to panic. He usually imagines the worst case scenario for every situation.Fraggle Rockwas a TV cartoon that only lasted 24 episodes. It was based on a puppet-filled series that ran on HBO.
Origin
The Fraggles are a group of tiny creatures who live under the basement of an old man named Doc, and his dog, Sprocket. Occasionally they venture into "outer space," which is just the cellar.
22
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Cragger
Cragger is the crocodile character on Legends of Chima, the Lego TV cartoon.
Origin
He and Laval, the prince of the Lion Tribe, used to be best friends. Once he got his first taste of Chi, he became power hungry and competitive.