| Dr. G. Raffe | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Geoffrey the Giraffe |
|
First Appearance |
Children's Supermarts -Toys "Я" Us catalog 1965 |
|
Original Publisher |
Children's Supermarts |
|
Created by |
Charles Lazarus |
Origin[]
As seen in costume form in a 1972 TV commercial for the toy store.
Dr. G. Raffe (better known as Geoffrey) is an anthropomorphic giraffe and the official mascot of the toy store chain, Toys "Я" Us. He is portrayed as kind, sweet, cool and a fun-loving, playful friend for many kids. He also has a wife named Gigi and a little daughter named Baby Gee. The artist who designed the original Dr. G. Raffe made the Toys "Я" Us version much more lifelike — and a store associate renamed him Geoffrey.
From 1965-1972 he appeared on print advertisements for the toy store, he was famous for saying things like, “Toys ‘Я’ Us,” a quote that paved the way for the future of the company.
In 1972, he made his local television debut in a 10-second TV spot, in 1972, he made his national television debut where he appeared with two girls dancing in front of a Toys "Я" Us.
Geoffrey in a 1975 animated commercial.
Notes[]
- The 1965 Catalog the 1973 and 1975 ad were released without copyright notices and was released before 1978, so are, therefore in the public domain in the United States.
- Toys "Я" Us and Geoffrey the Giraffe are still trademarked by Tru Kids, Inc., so the character’s name can only be used within the interior of a story, not to promote a brand.
- Geoffrey made a cameo in the 36th episode of the Japanese super hero series Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger where he hands out plushies to children.