Johnny Bravo is one of the most popular cartoons that America has ever known. It has been in the Top 100 Cartoons and the Top 10 Cartoon Network originals more times than some of our favorites! With all of this honor and recognition, you probably didn’t know it came from humble beginnings. Everyone has their own opinion of Johnny, and that’s okay. He’s a charming narcissist with a big heart and an often-unused brain. But hey, what’s not to love? During the first season, the show was geared more towards grown-ups, then, it was canceled due to low ratings. But whenever they decided to pick it back up, they made Johnny Bravo work for both kids and grown-ups. That way, the whole family could enjoy it. This worked out well for them and has won the show multiple awards, namely in India. More on Bravo’s popularity in India later though.

No matter where you’re from, you’ve likely known someone with a big spot in their heart for Johnny Bravo. But neither you nor they know everything there is to know about the show…or the man. We’ve gathered twenty-five facts that you need to hear about this macho womanizer!

22 I’ve Been Everywhere, Man

Via: YouTube.com

Johnny Bravo is famous for getting himself into strange situations. Crossovers are plentiful and there are many episodes named, “Johnny Meets…” where he meets famous faces. But he’s also known for having parody episodes.

The first parody was of Schoolhouse Rock in the episode The Sensitive Male! That would be the following episode called Bravo Dooby-Doo, and you can guess what crossover that was. It focused on Johnny's elderly aunt who disappears. In order to find her, he gets Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma, to help. In the end though, the monster was his aunt who, “was trying to scare Johnny away, because quite frankly, she just does not like him, as he's an embarrassment in the Bravo family.” Ouch!

21 Not Just Elvis

Via: servus.com

It is a well-known fact that Johnny Bravo was loosely based on Elvis Presley. Anyone who watches one episode can see that when they hear him talk, hear Elvis’ catchphrases. But that’s not the only person he is based on. Johnny Bravo’s also scripted to resemble James Dean and fictional personalities like Danny Zuko from Grease. He was first described as, "this '50s iconic James Dean-looking character that talked like Elvis." So in actuality, the only thing that was like Elvis was his voice.

The main thing that resembled James Dean was his look, and partially his attitude.

It’s really amazing to see a character nod to two legends whose lives ended far earlier than they should have. Who should they base a character off of now?

20 Johnny “The Rock” Bravo?

Via: YouTube.com

In 2002, Warner Bros. had secured the rights for a live-action Johnny Bravo feature film "as a potential starring vehicle for Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson." Since then, it seems the concept has dropped. But, producers said that if they did make a Johnny Bravo live-action film, it would star Channing Tatum as Johnny Bravo.

Both of these seem like solid choices. The Rock would make a fabulous Johnny Bravo and there are even posters of him as Bravo himself. As for Tatum, that’s a newer idea and it seems like it would work as well. He has the build for it and with the rep he received from movies like Magic Mike, we could totally believe him as Johnny Bravo. Still waiting for this movie to actually happen though.

19 Johnny Was A First

Via: memecenter.com

Cartoon Network is less than thirty-years-old. When it started out, there were only a few shows that they aired as originals. Cow and Chicken was one of their biggest, but there in the top five originals was Johnny Bravo. It doesn’t seem that old, but it really was an original. One of the shows that Cartoon Network was planted and rooted in. A parent to all of the shows kids enjoy today!

As an original show from way back when, Johnny Bravo embodies Cartoon Network. Many will name Adventure Time, Ben 10, and Teen Titans, when they list Cartoon Network shows. But this show came decades before even talk of the others even existed. When kids start talking about these mind-numbing shows, don’t forget to bring up one that started it all.

18 Bravo On The College Project

Via: wikia.com

Johnny Bravo is such a put together show that not many know where it got its start. It may have been one of the first Cartoon Network shows, but it wasn’t originally as flashy as it seems. In actuality, Van Partible created the concept of Johnny Bravo in college. Originally, he had it as "The Three Elbuys." The story followed three young Elvis impersonators who fought crime. By the time he had it presented to Hanna-Barbera producers, it had changed quite a bit. It was then known as "Mess O' Blues" and was focused on an aging Elvis impersonator trying to stay young.

Now, Van Partible has worked for Film Roman, Walt Disney Television Animation, Fox Kids, and NBC. He was even the executive producer for Asia’s Cartoon Network for five years!

17 Baby Bravo

Via: Youtube.com

This one is all about theory. We know how fans love conspiracy theories, and this one is so worth it. Primarily because it makes so much sense in all of its crazy. While Johnny Bravo has solid episodes, there isn’t a solid storyline. We don’t even know how old Johnny is. Since producers haven’t spoken on the issue, fans have. There’s a legit theory that puts Johnny Bravo at 8-years-old (the same as Suzy) or possibly younger.

Everything that happens to him is actually make believe, much like the children’s show The Backyardigans.

In his mind, he’s a grown-up who all of the ladies fall all over. He goes on adventures with all of his favorite characters from kids’ shows.

16 It’s More Than A Show

Via: comicbookcritic.net

We all know Johnny Bravo because of the Cartoon Network show, but since airing, he’s become more than that. He has all kinds of merchandise but what really gets us is his comic. A few years ago, Cartoon Network did a series of comics, one of them featuring Johnny himself. In February 2013, IDW Publishing announced a partnership with Cartoon Network to produce comics. Johnny Bravo was one of the shows that was chosen. Although he was simply featured in that comic, he had his own time to shine when his video game was created.

While he has been featured in three Cartoon Network games, he has only had one of his own. It is called Johnny Bravo: The Hukka-Mega-Mighty-Ultra-Extreme Date-O-Rama! Nintendo describes the game with, “Play the part of Johnny Bravo and compete against rival studs over a number of events with the aim of winning a date with a hot chick on the Hukka-Mega-Mighty-Ultra-Extreme Date-O-Rama TV show!”

15 “Johnny Bravo” Is In The Dictionary

Via: sheetalsheth.com

We’ve talked about how India loves Johnny Bravo, but do you really know how much? In Asia, particularly the previously mentioned country, “Johnny Bravo” has actually been added to the dictionary. It is used to describe someone with a personality similar to Johnny Bravo. It isn’t easy to find the definition, but refer to it as an adjective, and almost anyone with Indian pop culture knowledge will understand you.

Whether it’s a compliment or not, we don’t know.

But what really shows us how much love there is for Johnny is the special Johnny Bravo Goes To Bollywood. He lives in India where he sees a special hair cream on TV that makes everyone adore him.

14 Crush On Farrah Fawcett

Via: dmotioninfo.com

Everyone loves Farrah Fawcett, including the creator of Johnny Bravo. He loved her so much that he sent her a letter asking her to be on the show. To his surprise, she answered, “yes!” and voiced herself. She put up a kissing booth on the show, tempting Johnny greatly. In the episode, Johnny has all sorts of Farrah memorabilia from clocks to posters. He even gets excited the day that they release the new Farrah Fawcett shampoo because she’s the only person who has ever had hair as good as his. Or…almost as good. So, of course, he’s ecstatic when Little Suzy’s birthday party comes around and he finds out Farrah Fawcett is her cousin. It's amazing to see that even certain celebrities are fans of one another.

13 His Birthday Makes So Much Sense

Via: pickuplinesworld.com

Creators of Johnny Bravo may not have told us what year Johnny was born, but they did tell us what date he was born. Johnny Bravo celebrates his birthday each year on February 14. That means, he was born on the day of love. The birthday is perfect for the man!

In season 3, there’s an episode called It’s Valentine’s Day Johnny Bravo. That, of course, means it’s also his birthday. In celebration, Johnny searches for the perfect date to bring to his party. It turns out to be the worse birthday of his life when every woman turns him down. Thankfully, his mother arranges him a date who turns his head. This is the one-time things turn out well for Johnny. Must be that Valentine’s luck.

12 Obsessed With Cartoons

Via: vanpartible.com

As a child Van Partible was no doubt more into cartoons than you. His best memories involve Disneyland and his favorite items were DC and Marvel comics. It’s surprising how many successful grown-ups get their start as kids who love cartoons. They make us more productive, creative, and relatable.

This fueled his future career from an early age.

Hopefully, this gives you hope…and an excuse to have that collection of Spider-Man figurines standing on the shelf. It’s time to show all of those haters that your unhealthy obsession can make you millions. You’re holding out for a management position; those things take time. Many of the world's best creators started out as something entirely different and developed their favorite hobbies into creations we know and love.

11 Bravo The Mascot

Via: keehuachee.blogspot.com

The MLB team of the Atlanta Braves are no stranger to fame. They’ve been around since the early 1900s and more people are fans of them than Johnny Bravo. Which makes this next tidbit quite the compliment. The Atlanta Braves liked Johnny Bravo so much that they asked if they could make him their mascot. They were denied this because they did not own the rights. Instead, the Cartoon Network an idea…make him the mascot of Tooner Field.

But to thank them for the compliment, they created a sketch made by a cartoonist for the show. It showed Johnny in a Braves uniform. We are led to believe that cartoons are only enjoyed or appreciated by children but it is often grown-ups that showcase their adoration in extreme and amazing ways.

10 Practically Hanna-Barbera

Via: vanpartible.com

The creator of Johnny Bravo quotes Hanna-Barbera shows such as the Flintstones as his greatest inspiration. They are what so many of us grew up on and are the icons of cartoons everywhere. They can even be called the first internationally popular cartoons ever released in color. Which is why his show appealed to a certain someone. Van Partible's animation professor was the one to show his work to a friend who worked for Hanna-Barbera. They loved it and asked him to pitch a seven-minute short.

Since he had already based much of what he had created on Hanna-Barbera, this wasn’t so difficult. He already knew what appealed to them. It must be incredible to be able to pitch ideas to people that you grew up admiring and respecting.

9 It Was All In The Karate Chop

Via: youtube.com

It turns out there were tons of people who auditioned for the role of Johnny Bravo, but only one got the part. But what won him over? Many men could get the voice, but only one impressed the producers. Elvis impersonators everywhere are sure they can do a better job than the man who got the job. But that may not be the case. His name is Jeff Bennett. He got the part due to his ability to do the karate chop sound effect with his mouth…without skipping a beat!

Before he was Johnny though, he was still well-known. He has been Petrie in the Land Before Time films, Mr. Smee and Bones in Jake and the Never Land Pirates, and The Man With the Yellow Hat in Curious George!

8 There's Something About Him...

Via: youtube.com

Whenever creators decided to air the first short of Johnny Bravo in front of a few crew members and the board, things didn’t go as planned. They assumed that there really wouldn’t be a target demographic. They assumed that people would love it or hate it. But that’s not what happened at all. When they showed the first viewers Johnny Bravo’s first episode, every woman in the group was applauding, unable to stop laughing. But the men…they were skeptical. They just didn’t get it.

It just goes to show you that Johnny Bravo is a lady’s man. The humor is satirically making fun of men that these women know. It could quite possibly be that men subconsciously, and embarrassingly, relate to Bravo, making them wish to boycott him without even knowing why.

7 Not The First Johnny Bravo?

Via: pinterest.com

It’s strange to think that the name “Johnny Bravo” isn’t original. But the creators actually got it from an episode of The Brady Bunch. That wholesome show with all the blonde kids? You betcha. Although that humor sure is original. The name…is not. It came from an episode called “Adios, Johnny Bravo” where Greg got signed on to be a rock star named Johnny Bravo. In the end, he realized he was only signed because he “fit the suit,” but hey, whatever works for you.

I would have kept the suit and career if I were him.

However, that isn’t the only unoriginal original thing in Johnny Bravo though. That unique hair actually came from Brad Pitt. Or rather, Johnny Suede. Anyone who has seen the movie probably already recognized this.

6 Out Of Retirement

Via: vanpartible.com

I’m telling you, once I’m retired, nothing is going to bring me back. Not fame, not fortune, nothing. If someone asked me to start writing for this new show with a tentative future and I was relaxing on the beach? Heck no! But Johnny Bravo was strong enough to bring one artist named Benedict back from the carefree life. Benedict definitely made it worth it with his ideas for the character’s animations. Everything in Johnny Bravo’s movement and stature is this guy.

One of his most memorable notes was to make Bravo stick out his behind and his chest. This has become signature for the womanizer. He walks around as if he’s had implants and doesn’t know what to do with himself. Makes cosplaying real fun though.

5 The Lost Episodes

Via: dailymotion.com

No matter what show comes around, there are going to be some scripts that just don’t make it. Whether because they wouldn’t get enough ratings, or they don’t fit the target’s interests. A couple of the more iconic cuts for Johnny Bravo involve content that Cartoon Network just wasn’t allowed to air. The first involved Johnny’s Momma who became addicted to gambling. However, the network didn’t think that would be a healthy theme for younger audiences. At the time, it was an option, but these days…there’s no way!

The same can be said for an episode where Suzy decides that she owes her life to Johnny. She claims to be his indentured servant for life, which can get a little out of the scope, for a kid’s show.

4 Moves Like…Jackson

Via: youtube.com

You’ve heard about James Dean, Elvis, The Brady Bunch, and Danny Zuko by now. All of these influences and inspirations make so much sense for Johnny Bravo. But there was one inspiration that isn’t readily known. And it is easily seen if you pay attention during any given episode. Johnny Bravo’s body language and movements are based on the late Michael Jackson. Yet another legend that Johnny Bravo is representing.

Those moves are unmistakable!

All of this makes us think about how Johnny Bravo is a legend. In fact, he’s like the legend of legends incarnate. No wonder he’s so popular, he’s a mix of every “cool guy” that has ever walked this earth. He may be an idiot, but does he really get enough credit?

3 Narcissism Is Relatable

Via: mentalfloss.com

According to creators, Johnny Bravo has a good heart and adores his mom. Those are his good points, but when it comes to his weak points, things are a little more obvious. He is a narcissist. He was made this way so that people could relate to him. However, this was decades ago when narcissism wasn’t well known. People were completely lost when a loved one was a narcissist because the word hardly even existed. Now that mental health awareness is becoming more popular, we can see the deeper meaning of Johnny Bravo, the seemingly fluff-filled series.

So in a way, Johnny Bravo let someone know that the way that their father, uncle, or someone else close to them was, was normal. It may be a mental health issue, but it’s also a common problem.