Created by Genndy Tartakovsky for Cartoon Network, Dexter’s Laboratory became one of the most popular and successful cartoons on television. The series focuses on the boy genius Dexter who creates amazing inventions and gets into adventures. He also constantly deals with his free spirited sister Dee Dee who often distracts him or disrupts his work. But, you probably already knew what Dexter’s Lab is about, here’s what you didn’t know.
1. Dexter’s Lab was the first original animated series on Cartoon Network.
Genndy Tartakovsky, the creator of Dexter’s Lab, pitched the series to Hanna-Barbera’s animated shorts showcase What a Cartoon! and the pilot first aired in February 1995.
2. Dexter began with a drawing of a ballerina.
One day, Tartakovsky drew a tall blonde ballerina for an assignment in college. This led him to draw a character who was the complete opposite by making a little boy who loved science. The ideas of these two characters eventually grew into Dee Dee and Dexter.
3. Dexter was voiced by three different women.
Christine Cavanaugh was the first voice actress to voice Dexter and also voiced Chuckie Finster from Rugrats. She was later replaced by Candi Milo after she retired from voice acting. In addition, Tara Strong provided the voice for Dexter in Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion. Strong also voiced Bubbles from Powerpuff Girls.
4. Dee Dee was voiced by two different women.
Allison Moore, who was a college friend of Tartakovsky, voiced Dee Dee in the first season but left to pursue a career on broadway. She was later replaced by Kat Cressida.
5. The Justice Friends were inspired by comics Tartakovsky read as a child.
When Tartakovsky left Russia and came to America at the age of seven, he read Marvel Comics to help better learn English. Major Glory is based on Captain America and Superman, Val Hallen is based on Thor and Eddie Van Halen, and The Infraggable Krunk is based on the Hulk.
6. The Dexter family’s last name is never revealed.
7. Dexter’s age is never mentioned in the show.
However, Dexter is said to be 8-years-old based on “Love According to Dexter.”
8. Dexter’s favorite color is either orange or blue.
Dexter says his favorite color is orange in the episode “Go Dexter Family Go!” but also said his favorite color was blue in a previous episode.
9. The creator of Family Guy was a writer on Dexter’s Lab.
Seth MacFarlane was a storyboard artist for Dexter’s Lab and co-wrote four episodes.
10. Dexter’s Burrito Palace is actually real.
Tartakovsky often ate at Burrito Palace while growing up in Chicago.
11. There is a banned episode that was not released until 2013.
Initially produced in 1998, “Rude Removal” was never aired because of its excessive amount of cursing (even though they were bleeped out). It wasn’t until January 22nd, 2013 that Cartoon Network uploaded the episode to Adult Swim on YouTube.
