The Real Inspiration And Evolution Of The Betty Boop Cartoon

The Woman Behind The Boop

Many began to wonder who Fleischer’s inspiration was behind creating Betty Boop. Many believed it to be Helen Kane, a singer of the time who was also a flapper icon. Her signature song was “I Wanna Be Loved By You” and she became known for using the phrase “boop-boop-a-doop, just like Betty Boop. Others suspected it was Clara Bow, an actress and sex symbol who acquired the flapper look, complete with the short hair and thin eyebrows. But the truth is, it was neither of these women. So who was the real woman who inspired the legendary character?