There's a character who often pops up alongside the infamous Cruella de Vil, a figure many of us recognize from classic animated stories and, more recently, a live-action film that gives us a different view. This person, Horace Badun, you know, tends to be part of the trouble-making duo, usually with his pal Jasper. He plays a part in the schemes and plans of the fashion-obsessed villainess, always seeming to be there when things get a bit messy or when a certain number of spotted pups are involved.
Horace, alongside his close associate Jasper, has a consistent presence in the tales where Cruella is the main source of difficulty. They are often brought in to do the less glamorous work, the kind of tasks that require a certain level of commitment to mischief. Their appearances span different versions of the story, showing how their roles, while generally similar, get a bit of a fresh spin depending on the telling. So, it's almost like they're a constant fixture in Cruella's world, always ready for whatever she cooks up.
From the early animated feature to the more recent cinematic presentation, Horace Badun, in some respects, maintains his spot as one of the people Cruella relies on to get things done. He is, typically, one of the two characters who help her carry out her less-than-honorable intentions. This consistency gives us a pretty clear picture of who he is and what he does within these narratives, giving us a sense of his place in the overall plot.
Table of Contents
- A. Who is Horace Badun?
- B. What are the personal details of Horace Badun?
- C. How does Horace Badun appear in animated stories?
- D. Horace Badun's Role in the Live-Action Film
- E. What about Horace Badun's Costume?
- F. Horace Badun's Connections and Family
- G. How does Horace Badun get into trouble?
- H. The Lasting Presence of Horace Badun
A. Who is Horace Badun?
Horace Badun is a character who often takes on a supporting yet important part in the stories featuring Cruella de Vil. He is, in a way, one of the characters who helps to create conflict for the main figures in these tales. We mostly see him in the company of Jasper Badun, and together, they usually carry out the less savory assignments given to them by Cruella. His appearances span a few different forms of storytelling, from an older cartoon picture to a newer live-action movie, which actually gives him a bit more background.
In the original animated film from 1961, Horace Badun is introduced as one of two individuals who are brought on board to do some rather questionable work. He's not the mastermind, you know, but more of a helper, someone who follows instructions, even if those instructions lead to a lot of trouble. His job, typically, involves assisting Cruella in her plans, which often revolve around a certain number of small, spotted animals. He is, to put it simply, a hired hand who finds himself in a series of sticky situations.
His portrayal tends to show him as someone who is not particularly bright, which often leads to comical moments, even when the situation is quite serious for the good guys. He’s part of a duo that, more or less, serves as a bit of a comedic relief, despite their intentions to cause harm. So, when you think of Cruella’s schemes, you can pretty much picture Horace right there, doing his part, often with a somewhat confused look on his face. He is, in essence, a consistent presence in the villain's circle.
B. What are the personal details of Horace Badun?
When we talk about Horace Badun, there aren't a lot of deep personal details that are shared about him, at least not in the way you might learn about a main character. What we do know comes mostly from his actions and his connections to other figures in the story. He's consistently shown as someone who is involved in activities that are, shall we say, on the wrong side of the law. His role is usually that of an accomplice, someone who assists a more powerful or influential figure, in this case, Cruella de Vil. He's not the one making the big decisions, you know, but he's certainly there to carry them out.
His background, apart from his association with Jasper, is kept pretty simple. He is, basically, defined by his work for Cruella and his relationship with his adoptive brother. The stories don't really spend time on his past life or personal aspirations beyond what we see him doing in the moment. He's a character who serves a specific purpose within the narrative: to be one of the people who helps the main villain try to achieve her goals. This means his personal attributes are often limited to what serves that role, such as his often bumbling nature or his willingness to follow orders. He is, in some respects, a straightforward character.
Here's a brief look at some of the things we gather about Horace Badun:
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Horace Badun (also Horacio Badun in Spanish versions) |
| Role | Secondary antagonist; a crook or hired hand |
| Associates | Jasper Badun (adoptive brother), Cruella de Vil (employer/accomplice) |
| Key Appearances | One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961 animated film), 101 Dalmatians II (2003 animated sequel), Cruella (2021 live-action film), Jaden's Adventures of 101 Dalmatians |
| Defining Trait | Often portrayed as less intelligent than his partner, prone to mishaps. |
As you can see, his details are very much tied to his function in the stories. He is, very much, a character defined by his actions and his connections to the main figures around him.
C. How does Horace Badun appear in animated stories?
In the world of animated storytelling, Horace Badun first made his big appearance in Disney's 1961 feature film, One Hundred and One Dalmatians. Here, he is presented as one of a pair of individuals who are not exactly upstanding citizens. He and Jasper are brought on board by Cruella de Vil to carry out her plan to get her hands on some puppies. They are, essentially, the muscle, the ones who do the dirty work, so to speak, of snatching the young dogs. Their portrayal in this film sets the tone for how we generally perceive them: as bumbling, somewhat ineffective figures who always seem to be a step behind the clever dogs.
Their role in this animated classic is quite important, even if they aren't the main focus. They are the ones who directly interact with the puppies and the dogs trying to rescue them, leading to many of the film's chase scenes and comical moments. You know, they are the immediate obstacles for the heroes. Horace, along with Jasper, provides a good contrast to Cruella's more refined, albeit wicked, personality. They are the ground-level operators, trying their best, or perhaps their worst, to fulfill Cruella's desires. This early depiction, really, established Horace Badun's place in the popular imagination.
Horace Badun also shows up in the 2003 animated sequel, 101 Dalmatians II, continuing his role as one of Cruella's hired hands. His presence in this follow-up story helps to maintain the continuity of the original tale. Moreover, in other animated series, like Jaden's Adventures of 101 Dalmatians, Horace Badun is still around, with his voice being provided by different performers, such as Jeff Bennett and Maurice LaMarche. This shows that the character has a lasting appeal and continues to be a part of the extended narrative world of the spotted dogs. So, in these animated forms, he remains a consistent figure of mischief, always ready to assist in some scheme.
D. Horace Badun's Role in the Live-Action Film
The 2021 live-action film Cruella offers a somewhat different perspective on Horace Badun and his connection to the main character. In this movie, Horace, alongside Jasper, is portrayed not just as a hired hand, but as a much more integrated part of Estella's (who becomes Cruella) life. They are shown as her best friends and, in a way, adoptive brothers, forming a kind of unconventional family unit. This shift in their relationship gives Horace a deeper, more personal connection to the story's central figure, which is quite a change from his earlier animated appearances. He is, actually, part of her formative years, learning the ways of the city and its less lawful activities together.
In Cruella, Horace Badun and Jasper are Estella's accomplices in her various criminal activities, which initially involve petty theft and con artistry before escalating to larger, more daring schemes. This portrayal gives Horace more agency and a more defined role beyond simply being a bumbling assistant. He is part of the core group that helps Estella survive and eventually rise to become the notorious fashion designer we know. This version of Horace, you see, is more than just a simple henchman; he's a partner in crime, someone who has a history and a bond with the main character. Their loyalty, in this story, is pretty much to each other, and then to Cruella.
The film explores their dynamic as a trio, showing how their individual skills contribute to their shared ventures. Horace, perhaps, provides a certain practical, if sometimes clumsy, element to their operations. This interpretation of Horace Badun helps to fill out his character, giving him a bit more depth than just being a flat villain's helper. It shows how he became the person he is, through his experiences with Estella and Jasper. So, his part in this live-action telling, really, adds new layers to a character many thought they knew quite well.
E. What about Horace Badun's Costume?
When it comes to Horace Badun's look, especially for those who might want to dress up as him, there are a few distinct items that truly capture his essence. His costume, or what he typically wears, helps to convey his character traits, particularly his somewhat disheveled and often uncomfortable appearance. A key part of achieving his recognizable look involves creating a certain body shape. This is often done by starting with an inflatable belly, which gives him a rather rotund and somewhat unwieldy figure. This particular item is pretty much central to his visual identity, making him instantly recognizable.
After getting the right shape, the next important piece of clothing is a green turtleneck. This garment is worn over the inflatable belly, helping to smooth out the shape and complete the upper part of his outfit. The choice of a green turtleneck, while seemingly simple, contributes to his overall aesthetic as someone who might not put a lot of thought into his appearance, or perhaps just favors practical, if somewhat ill-fitting, clothes. It’s a detail that, in a way, rounds out his character’s visual presentation, making him seem a bit out of place or just generally uncomfortable in his own skin, which fits his often put-upon demeanor.
These specific elements, the inflatable belly and the green turtleneck, work together to create the visual representation of Horace Badun that many people remember. They are simple yet effective choices that help to communicate his role as a somewhat clumsy and less-than-imposing figure in the stories. So, if you're trying to put together a costume that truly embodies Horace Badun, these are the items you would, naturally, want to make sure you include. They are, very much, what makes his look distinct and memorable.
F. Horace Badun's Connections and Family
Horace Badun's most significant connection in the stories is, without a doubt, to Jasper Badun. They are consistently portrayed as a pair, often described as brothers, and in the 2021 film Cruella, they are explicitly referred to as adoptive brothers. This relationship forms the core of Horace's personal world, as they are almost always together, working side by side in their various endeavors, whether it's for Cruella or simply to get by. Their bond is a central aspect of their characters, showing a loyalty that, in some respects, goes beyond just being work partners. They are, pretty much, a package deal when it comes to their involvement in the story.
Jasper, as Horace's brother, is often seen as the slightly more capable or perhaps the one with a bit more sense between the two, though both tend to get into their fair share of trouble. The text mentions that Jasper is "very smart and loves his crew," which would include Horace and Estella (Cruella). It also gives a little background on Jasper, noting that his parents passed away when he was young, and he later met Estella during a time of sorrow for her. This shared history, particularly in the Cruella movie, strengthens the idea of them as a makeshift family unit, which, in a way, provides a foundation
