Where To Watch
The many jobs of Yosemite Sam
He's a tiny little man of many talents!
Yosemite Sam began his cartoon career in 1945, about 10-15 years later than the rest of his Looney Tunes cast members. He was developed by Friz Freleng because Bugs Bunny needed a more formidable opponent than Elmer Fudd. Jumping into the rodeo at the eleventh hour meant Sam had a lot to prove, and he put his talents on display with his many, many jobs. His real job was being an antagonist to Bugs Bunny, but in the 33 cartoons they appeared in together, Sam's jobs put him in a lot of silly yet dangerous scenarios. Let's take a look at Sam's many careers.
Train Robber/Bandit
In his cartoon debut, Hare Trigger, Yosemite Sam attempts to rob a train, specifically the mail car where Bugs Bunny was goofing around. This attempted robbery became the first of many battles with Bugs.
Starving Hermit
In Along Came Daffy, Yosemite Sam is a starving hermit in a remote cabin. This cartoon is one of two Yosemite Sam cartoons without Bugs Bunny, but it does feature Daffy Duck and Yosemite Sam's twin brother.
Pirate
Yosemite Sam trades his guns and spurs for a sword and treasure chest in Buccaneer Bunny. He also works as a pirate in Captain Hareblower and This is a Life?
Cowboy/Western Outlaw
The first cartoon where Yosemite Sam is officially considered a cowboy is High Diving Hare, where Bugs Bunny brings his circus act to an Old Western town. This is Sam's job that he is most associated with, but he only appeared as a cowboy a few times in the Golden Age of Animation. He also has this job in Bugs Bunny Rides Again, A Star is Bored, and Wild and Wooly Hare.
Sea Captain
The line between Yosemite Sam's pirate jobs and sea captain jobs is blurred at best. In Mutiny on the Bunny, he is the captain of a ship called the Sad Sack and he tries to recruit crew members. He only recruits Bugs Bunny, who quickly takes over the ship.
Soldier
Bunker Hill Bunny is a light parody of the American Revolution. Instead of British vs. American forces, Bugs and Yosemite battle on the teams "We" vs. "They". Either way, Yosemite Sam is the bad guy, so naturall he's a red coat.
Hunter
This time around, Yosemite Sam had been placed into Elmer Fudd's usual role of straight-up hunting Bugs. As a hunter, he's smarter than Elmer Fudd in the sense that he is harder to trick, but he's much more trigger-happy and thoughtless in his actions. Rabbit Every Monday is the only cartoon where Sam plays a hunter.
Homeowner
This isn't exactly a job, but in The Fair-Haired Hare, Yosemite Sam is a homeowner who builds his house over Bugs' rabbit hole.
Mayoral Candidate
Yosemite Sam runs for mayor in Ballot Box Bunny, and naturally, Bugs runs against him just for laughs. Yosemite Sam's campaign offers mostly empty promises like "There's enough fresh air and sunshine in this great country of ours for everybody - and I'll see to it, that you'll get your share!" He also uses his iteration of Theodore Roosevelt's famous quote, "I speak LOUD and I carry a BIGGER stick, and I use it too!"
Gold Digger
In both Hare Trimmed and Honey's Money, Yosemite Sam has no job and woos old ladies with big fortunes. In Honey's Money, he succeeds in marrying her, but her large son nearly breaks Sam's back with playful horse rides.
Prospector
Yes! He was a literal gold digger as well as a figurative one. Yosemite Sam takes part in the Klondike Gold Rush in 14 Carrot Rabbit, where he starts as a claim jumper but then tries his hand at prospecting.
Bank Robber
Perhaps inspired by D.B. Cooper, in Hare Lift, Yosemite Sam robs a bank, drives a getaway car to the airport, hijacks a plane (piloted by Bugs of course), and then parachutes away to freedom. Unfortunately for him, he lands right in a police car.
Desert Explorer
Yosemite Sam has explored the Old West, the Yukon, and the high seas - next is the desert! In Sahara Hare, Bugs mistakenly tunnels to the Sahara Desert instead of Miami, and "Riff Raff Sam" chases him for trespassing.
Roman Legionnaire
Yosemite Sam's next job is a Roman Legionnaire in Roman Legion-Hare. Specifically, he is the Captain of the Praetorian Guard serving Emperor Nero.
Castaway
Surviving is the most important job of all! Yosemite Sam is a castaway in Rabbitson Crusoe. While he initially tries to eat Bugs, together they escape the island and sail off into the sunset towards San Francisco.
Mountaineer
Now, when we say Yosemite Sam is a mountaineer, it's not because he's passionate about mountain climbing. In Piker's Peak, the mayor announces a mountain climbing race with a prize of "50,000 kronkites" so it's about the money.
Knight
Knighty Knight Bugs was Yosemite Sam's only Oscar-winning performance. He is the Black Knight, protector of the singing sword, which is immediately stolen by Bugs Bunny. While Yosemite Sam may not be the best knight, he rides a dragon.
Grand Duke
Of course Yosemite Sam is a nepo-baby! In From Hare to Heir, he plays a Grand Duke, whose uncle (the king) has cut off his allowance because of his bad temper. Sam must prove to Bugs Bunny that he can maintain his composure and not fly off the handle. Guess who wins! Bugs, of course.
Alien
Marvin the Martian is out of a job because in Lighter Than Hare, Yosemite Sam is the alien around these parts. He sends robots to capture Bugs Bunny.
Viking
Sam the Terrible! Also known as Prince Violent! Yosemite Sam attempts to pillage a castle and Bugs uses an elephant to fight back.
Chef
In Shishkabugs, Yosemite Sam is a very grumpy chef to a petulant king who demands rabbit stew.
Prison Warden
Bugs Bunny accidentally tunnels into a prison and Sam the Warden mistakes him for a prisoner trying to escape. The cartoon Big House Bunny ends with Sam releasing Bugs because he's causing too much trouble in the prison, which then gets Sam imprisoned too.
The Red Baron
In a parody of the Red Baron, Dumb Patrol begins with Baron Sam von Shpamm looking for a fight. He finds one in a classic World War I aircraft battle with Bugs Bunny. This is one of Sam's final cartoons.
Banker/Scrooge
Perhaps Sam's most important role was playing the miserly villain Ebenezer Scrooge in Bugs Bunny's Christmas Carol.
