BoJack Horseman (character)
BoJack F. Horseman (born January 2, 1964[1]) is a fictional character and the titular protagonist of the Netflix animated comedy television series of the same name He is voiced by Will Arnett and was created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg.[2] Prior to the time the series takes place in, BoJack had starred in a fictional hit 1990s sitcom called Horsin' Around. After the show ended, BoJack struggled to find acting work, instead living off residuals from Horsin' Around's syndication.
BoJack Horseman
"Nice While It Lasted" (2020)
BoJack F. Horseman
That horse from Horsin' Around
Horse
Actor
- Butterscotch Horseman (father; deceased)
- Beatrice Horseman (mother; deceased)
- Hollyhock Manheim-Mannheim-Guerrero-Robinson-Zilberschlag-Hsung-Fonzarelli-McQuack (paternal half-sister)
- Princess Carolyn (ex-girlfriend)
- Wanda Pierce (ex-girlfriend)
- Sarah Lynn (occasional sex)
- Ana Spanikopita (ex-lover)
- Gina Cazador (ex-girlfriend)
- Joseph Sugarman (maternal grandfather; deceased)
- Honey Sugarman (maternal grandmother; deceased)
- Crackerjack Sugarman (maternal uncle; deceased)
BoJack, a self-loathing and alcoholic anthropomorphic narcissistic horse, suffers from depression[3][4] and often engages in self-destructive behavior. He frequently drinks, takes drugs to the excess, and has difficulty maintaining positive relationships with others.[5]
Development[edit]
Creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg came up with initial kernel of BoJack as the "story of a guy who's had every opportunity imaginable, but still can't find a way to be happy, and what is that about for him?"[12] BoJack's house and overall emotional arc were inspired by Bob-Waksberg's first house in Los Angeles, where he felt "on top of the world and also never more isolated or alone."[13] Bob-Waksberg considered other ideas for BoJack's occupation like him being a former racehorse before deciding on him being a former actor. Supervising director Mike Hollingsworth noted that a former actor can still act in their later life but aging does not allow for athletes to continue successfully when they're older.[14]
Reception[edit]
Actor Will Arnett, who voices BoJack, stated in an interview with Vanity Fair that he was drawn to playing the character due to his deep character flaws, namely his emotional scarring, and that he believes BoJack is both lovable and unlovable at the same time.[15] Arnett has received praise for his portrayal of BoJack and ability to balance comedy with emotion, especially in the fifth-season episode "Free Churro", which consists almost entirely of a eulogy that BoJack delivers for his mother at her funeral.[16] Screen Rant ranked the character as the fifth most likeable in the show, opining that despite his narcissism, he is "smart, cynical, and direct".[17]