Aimee Walker
People are only just realising that The Grinch wasn’t always green.
The fictional character was created by the well-known author Dr Seuss and is the main protagonist of the 1957 children’s book, ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas!’.
There have been three films based on the book, including How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966), Dr Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) and The Grinch (2018).
In each version of The Grinch, he’s portrayed as furry and green – but this hasn’t always been the case.
Related Article: Jim Carrey Says There’s One Film He Regrets Making
Related Article: Grinch Actor Who Played Character As A Child Tragically Died At Just 20 Years Old
In the original Dr Seuss book, The Grinch is actually black and white with red highlights, which brings up the big question… why did he change?
Years after the book was published, The Grinch scored his first movie which was directed by Chuck Jones.
The cartoon was set for a release amid the rising popularity of colour TV and reportedly, Jones suggested making the character a brighter colour, as per CBR.
Apparently, Dr Seuss didn’t want this change to happen. However, the director is believed to have insisted.
Reportedly, the colour of The Grinch was inspired by Jones’ rental car.
Ever since then, the character has been green!
People have been taking to social media and said they’ve always associated The Grinch with being green.
One said: “WHAT that was The Grinch?!”
Another added: “Holy s***. I did know this but I did not internalise it.”
“Cause’ he’s green with envy,” a third commented.
While a fourth said: “I always wondered why he looked like that in the book.”
“This is so cool,” someone else wrote.
Related Article: Nightmare Before Christmas Fans Are Only Just Realising Tim Burton Didn’t Direct Film
Related Article: Grinch Star Looks Unrecognisable All Grown Up
The Grinch isn’t the only Christmas figure to have changed colours.
Santa Claus has also had a makeover or two over the years.
He has previously been depicted as wearing green, blue and even tan before donning his famous red suit.
Many people presume Claus’ outfit colour changed due to the popular Coca-Cola Christmas ads. However, this isn’t the case.
Father Christmas’ red robes actually date as far back as the 16th century, reports The Sun.
While Thomas Nast’s illustrations depicted Claus in red for Harper’s Weekly back in 1863, as per Smithsonian Magazine.
On the Coca-Cola website, it clearly states that he wore red before ever appearing in the ads.
A statement on the site reads: “Before the Coca‑Cola Santa was even created, St Nick had appeared in numerous illustrations and written descriptions wearing a scarlet coat.
“However, it is true that Coca‑Cola advertising played a big role in shaping the jolly, rotund character we know and love today.”
Do you have a story for us? If so, email us at [email protected]. All contact will be treated in confidence.
