Tom

Slapstick chase cat

A male tuxedo-type British Shorthair cat with a gray or blue-gray tuxedo pattern. A lovable klutz who passionately tries to catch the mouse Jerry.

Quotes

  • He's my best friend!
  • Chasing is everything in life!
  • Ouch! (Tom's scream)
  • I'll definitely catch Jerry!
  • One more chance!

Trivia

  • Tom's tuxedo pattern was absent from 1953 to 1980.
  • Tom's scream was recorded by creator William Hanna himself.
  • Immortal setting where he survives even if body is torn apart.
  • Sometimes allies with Jerry, but basically rivals.
  • Abnormal body flexibility with frequent stretching depictions.
  • Famous scene of playing piano with toes.

Alternate names

Tom Cat Thomas Jasper Cat Senior Thomas D. Cat Thomas Cat Tomasino Catty Cazaza

Tags

Tom Tom and Jerry Cat Anime Character Tuxedo pattern British Shorthair Comedy Slapstick Blue-gray cat

Find Tom goods

Profile

Species
Tuxedo British Shorthair male cat
Gender
Male
Birth year
Early 1940s

Appearance

Overall appearance
Gray or bluish-gray fur. Tuxedo pattern, with white around the mouth, paws, and tail tip. Thick eyebrows, eyes mostly yellow with black and green pupils. White muzzle, light-colored belly.
Height
About waist height for humans (equivalent to bipedal height of around 120cm)
Eye color
Green
Hair color
Multicolor
Distinguishing features
  • Tuxedo pattern
  • White glove and sock-like paws
  • Long white tail tip
  • Thick eyebrows
Iconic items
  • Removable fur
  • Red loincloth
  • Tank top

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Passionate
Detailed personality
A lovable klutz overflowing with passion for chasing Jerry, who also loves eating and sleeping. Often gets cocky and lacks follow-through, but has kind and sensitive sides. Basically aggressive toward small animals but sometimes shows maternal kindness. Also has a weakness for females.
Keywords
  • Clumsy
  • Curious
  • Kind
  • Narcissist
  • Passionate
  • Cowardly
  • Music lover
  • Dexterous
  • Competitive
Motto
Chasing is life's greatest joy
Talents
  • Musical performance (piano, violin, trumpet, and a wide range of instruments)
  • Bipedal walking
  • Flexible body
  • Versatile artistic abilities
  • Chemistry knowledge
  • Advanced athletic ability
  • Juggling
  • Assembly and invention
Skills
  • Trap making for catching mice
  • Musical performance
  • Machine repair
  • Infiltration and tracking
  • Various sports (tennis, bowling, billiards, etc.)
  • Acting and deception
  • Endurance
Motivation
Catching Jerry, eating, sleeping
Habits
Emits Tom's signature scream when feeling pain. Prefers communicating via writing.
Favorite foods
Milk, Fish, Cheese (later works), Canned goods
Hobbies
Chasing Jerry, Playing music, Sports, Juggling
Favorite colors
Gray tones
Disliked situations
Having traps dodged by Jerry, Scary ghosts and horror stories, Swimming (early dislike), Violent opponents

History

Backstory
A tuxedo British Shorthair house cat whose settings vary slightly per work, but basically has an unknown owner and is often tasked by the housekeeper to catch mice. Tries to catch Jerry but mostly fails and gets punished. A non-speaking character with rich emotional expressions, occasionally speaks words.
Debut date
February 10, 1941
Work title
Puss Gets the Boot
Media type
Movie

Debut

Significant event
Debut
Description
Appeared as Jasper in 1940, then officially as Tom in 'Puss Gets the Boot' in 1941.

Death in 'Heaven and Hell'

Significant event
Death in 'Heaven and Hell'
Description
A dream ending, but clearly depicts Tom's death, followed by immediate revival.

Establishment of Tom's scream

Significant event
Establishment of Tom's scream
Description
Creator William Hanna provided Tom's pain scream, which became famous as 'Tom's scream'.

Design changes from the 1960s onward

Significant event
Design changes from the 1960s onward
Description
Tuxedo pattern was absent from 1953 to 1980.

Voice acting changes

Significant event
Voice acting changes
Description
Japanese dubs feature multiple voice actors like Shun Yashiro, Kaneta Kimotsuki, and Setsuji Sato. Recent works mostly use silent or original-derived sounds.

Relationships

George

Cousin

A cousin similar to Tom who has mouse phobia.

Jerry

Rival

Eternal rival but sometimes cooperates to overcome difficulties.

Butch

Rival

Stray cat best friend who sometimes competes over romance.

Toodles

Love interest

White cat girlfriend he often woos.

World Cat League

World Cat League: unknown

Media appearances

Tom and Jerry

Movie / Protagonist

1940s - present

Tom and Jerry Show

Anime / Protagonist

2014 - present

Tom and Jerry (2021 film)

Movie / Protagonist

2021

Various Tom and Jerry games

Game / Protagonist

Voice cast and creators

Shun Yashiro

Voice actor
Shun Yashiro
Language
Japanese
Version or series
First TBS dub
Notes
First Japanese dub

Kaneta Kimotsuki

Voice actor
Kaneta Kimotsuki
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Second MGM dub
Notes
Mainly home video versions

Setsuji Sato

Voice actor
Setsuji Sato
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Third Tom and Jerry Show

Seiya (Shimofuri Stars)

Voice actor
Seiya (Shimofuri Stars)
Language
Japanese
Version or series
2021 film - Angel Tom

Soshina (Shimofuri Stars)

Voice actor
Soshina (Shimofuri Stars)
Language
Japanese
Version or series
2021 film - Devil Tom

William Hanna

Voice actor
William Hanna
Language
English
Version or series
Early works main scream provider
Notes
Screams by composer/creator

William Hanna

Creator name
William Hanna
Role
Original author

Joseph Barbera

Creator name
Joseph Barbera
Role
Original author

Hanna-Barbera Productions

Creator name
Hanna-Barbera Productions
Role
Animation studio

unknown

Creator name
unknown
Role
Character designer

Related goods

Tom plush

Item name
Tom plush
Category
Plush or doll
Availability
Regular

Tom figure

Item name
Tom figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Tom character goods

Item name
Tom character goods
Category
Accessory
Availability
Regular

Find Tom goods