Linus the Lionhearted(1964)

Linus the Lionhearted is an American animated series that grew out of advertising success. The lion character, created in 1959 by the Ed Graham agency for Post Cereals, became so popular as a spokesman for Crispy Critters that CBS greenlit a full television series in 1964. The show ran until 1966, then continued in reruns on ABC through 1969. Linus, a good-natured "King of the Beasts" who ruled from his barber's chair, was voiced by Sheldon Leonard. The cast included other characters based on Post cereal brands: Sugar Bear (voiced by Gerry Matthews with a Bing Crosby-style accent), a postman named Lovable Truly, So-Hi, a young Asian boy, and Rory Raccoon. Episodes featured adventures including So-Hi's quest to break a curse on a two-headed bird through a scavenger hunt.