Bugs' first appearance was in a Warner Bros. cartoon directed by Tex Avery. This was way back in July, 1940 and the title of the cartoon was A Wild Hare. The furry fellow rose from his rabbit hole, contentedly munching on a carrot. He peered coolly down a gun barrel during hunting season and uttered the immortal line: "Eh-h-h-h-h, what's up, Doc?" His fearlessness struck an instant chord with audiences. Mel Blanc provided the character's voice.
The new character was nameless at first. Avery, a Texan, wanted to name him Jack Rabbit or Jack E. Rabbit. There are 2 theories on how the Bugs got his name. The producer, Leon Schlesinger chose Bugs Bunny - a name originally attached to a rabbit character that never made it to the screen. The other theory out there that Bugs' name was taken from the nickname of Ben "Bugs" Hardaway, a Warner cartoonist.
Robert McKimson and Ruth Clampett are the ones who changed and refined the way Bugs looks. Bugs started out an oval-faced rabbit in A Wild Hare. Over time Bugs was given a softer muzzle, longer teeth and more expression. However, Chuck Jones' influence is obvious in the drawing style of Bugs Bunny and contributes heavily in making Bugs Bunny come out looking like the hero and everybody else coming across as the foe.
By World War II, Bugs Bunny had become the most popular animated character around and he was just what America needed at a time of war. His gregarious personality and ability to always come out on top of the situation encouraged Americans of the day. After Bugs Bunny became popular, Warner Bros. came out with a whole new line of co-stars including Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam, and the Tazmanian Devil, continuing the hunt and chase theme through the various characters.