Boris Badenov facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Boris Badenov
Rocky and Bullwinkle character
Created by	Jay Ward Alex Anderson Bill Scott
Portrayed by	Dave Thomas (1992 film) Jason Alexander (2000 film)
Voiced by	Paul Frees (TV series) Joe Alaskey (1992–1993) Keith Scott (1992–2000, 2008) Fred Frees (Cartoon Network commercial) Dan Milano/Mark Hamill (Robot Chicken) Robert Cait (2014 short) Benjamin Diskin (2018–present)
Information
Species	Human
Gender	Male
Occupation	spy criminal
Nationality	Pottsylvanian

Boris Badenov is a main bad guy in the classic 1959–1964 animated cartoons Rocky and His Friends and The Bullwinkle Show. These shows are often called The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show for short. The original voice for Boris was Paul Frees.

Boris's name sounds like a real historical figure, Boris Godunov, who was a Russian leader in the 1500s. His voice and quick temper were inspired by the actor Akim Tamiroff.

Who is Boris Badenov?

Boris is a spy from a made-up country called Pottsylvania. He gets his orders from a powerful leader known as Fearless Leader. Sometimes, he also takes orders from Mr. Big, who is rarely seen.

Boris's Missions

Boris's jobs often involve trying to cause trouble. He might try to steal a secret rocket fuel formula. Or he might try to get rid of all television in the United States. These are all part of Pottsylvania's plans to take over.

Boris's Background

Boris went to public schools in Pottsylvania. He then got a special scholarship to the University of Safe Cracking. He graduated with funny honors, called "magna cum louse."

He has a very strong stomach. This helped him survive when many others in Pottsylvania's ruling group did not. Only Boris, Fearless Leader, and Mister Big were left. Boris likes to read light books. His favorite is a collection of evil plans called the Fireside Crook Book.

How Boris Looks

When the show first started, Boris was taller and had red eyes. After a few episodes, he became his normal height. His red eyes also changed to white after he woke up from a long sleep. It was like the redness was just from being tired!

Boris and His Partner

Boris is almost always with his fellow bad guy, Natasha Fatale.

Usually, Boris's bad plans are stopped by Rocky the Flying Squirrel and Bullwinkle the Moose. Boris often tries to get rid of "moose and squirrel," as he calls them. But his attempts always fail. His own plans usually backfire on him.

He often says, "Of course, I've got plan! I've always got plan! They don't ever work, but I've always got one!" In one cartoon, he complained: "I send in lady spy with package which is really bomb. Door gets locked, she can't get out, who gets blown up? Me!"

Boris appeared in almost every Rocky and Bullwinkle story. He was only missing from three: The Three Moosketeers, The Ruby Yacht, and Mucho Loma.

Boris's Famous Sayings

Boris has a main saying he uses when he's upset. He shouts, "Raskolnikov!" This is a reference to a famous book called Crime and Punishment. He says it with his funny Pottsylvanian accent, which sounds like a mock-Russian accent.

When Boris met someone new, he would often say, "Allow me to introducing myself. I am Boris Badenov, world's greatest no-goodnik."

Natasha Fatale

Natasha Fatale is another bad guy in the 1959-1964 animated cartoons Rocky and His Friends and The Bullwinkle Show. She was voiced by June Foray.

Natasha is a spy for the made-up country of Pottsylvania. She takes orders from the nation's leader, Fearless Leader. Natasha usually works with fellow spy Boris Badenov.

Natasha's Story

Natasha is said to be the only child of Axis Sally and Count Dracula. She was once "Miss Transylvania" and got into trouble at college. She traveled from Transylvania to the United States when she was 19.

The show's creator, Bill Scott, based Boris and Natasha on characters from other cartoons. Natasha met Boris when they were both arrested for throwing rocks at Girl Scouts. Boris was charmed by her, and they became partners in crime.

Natasha's Role

Just like Boris, Natasha's bad plans are usually stopped by Rocky the Flying Squirrel and Bullwinkle the Moose. She also calls them "moose and squirrel." She is almost always shown wearing a purple dress. In the last season, it was often red.

Natasha's last name, Fatale, is a play on words from "femme fatale." This term means a mysterious and attractive woman who leads men into danger. Natasha was drawn as a good-looking woman. However, in most episodes, she is just called Natasha, without her last name. Some people jokingly called her "Natasha Nogoodnik." But in the very first episode, the narrator calls her by her full name, Natasha Fatale.

Natasha in Movies and New Shows

In the 1992 film Boris and Natasha: The Movie, actress Sally Kellerman played Natasha. In the 2000 movie The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, Rene Russo played her.

In the 2014 short film Rocky & Bullwinkle, Lauri Fraser voiced Natasha. The original voice actor, June Foray, voiced Rocky in that short but not Natasha. In the 2018 Amazon Video series The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, Rachel Butera voices Natasha.