Care Bears (TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Care Bears |
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Original title card for the DIC episodes
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| Created by | Linda Denham Elena Kucharik |
| Starring | DIC series Billie Mae Richards Jayne Eastwood Janet Laine-Green Luba Goy Eva Almos Melleny Brown Dan Hennessey Pauline Rennie Patrice Black Laurie Waller Benson Bob Dermer Nelvana series Jim Henshaw Chris Wiggins John Stocker Terri Hawkes Sunny Besen Thrasher Noam Zylberman Tracey Moore |
| Country of origin | DIC series France Canada Nelvana series Canada United States |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 60 (100 segments, alongside 2 TV specials and a 3-part special) (list of episodes) |
| Production company(s) | Those Characters from Cleveland, LLC Specials/Pilots Atkinson Film-Arts DIC Series (season 1) DIC Audiovisuel (season 1) Nelvana series (season 2-4) Nelvana C.B.I.S. Productions |
| Distributor | LBS Communications (DIC series) SFM Entertainment (Nelvana series) |
| Release | |
| Original network | DIC series Syndication Nelvana series Global (Canada) ABC (United States) |
| Audio format | Mono |
| Original release | September 14, 1985 – December 25, 1988 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Care Bears: Adventures in Care-a-lot (2007–2009) |
The Care Bears is a popular animated TV show from America and Canada. It is based on the well-known Care Bears toys and characters. The first season, simply called Care Bears, was made by DIC Entertainment. It aired from September 14 to November 23, 1985.
Later, the show's name changed to The Care Bear Family for its second season. The rest of the seasons were produced by Nelvana. This version was shown on ABC in the United States and on the Global Television Network in Canada. It ran from September 13, 1986, to January 23, 1988. Even after ABC stopped airing the show, Nelvana made more episodes for other TV channels.
During the time the show was on TV, two Care Bears movies were also released in cinemas. These came out after the very first Care Bears Movie. In 2007, a new version of the show, Care Bears: Adventures in Care-a-Lot, was created.
Contents
What is the Care Bears TV Show About?
The Care Bears live in a special place high up in the clouds called Care-a-Lot. This magical place is part of a bigger area known as the Kingdom of Caring. The Care Bears, along with their friends, the Care Bear Cousins and their Buddies, travel around the world. Their main goal is to help people and spread kindness. They call these trips "Missions in Caring."
However, not everyone is happy about the Care Bears' good deeds. Evil villains often try to stop them. In the early DIC episodes, the main villain was Professor Coldheart. In the later Nelvana episodes, the Care Bears faced off against Lord No Heart.
Who are the Care Bears Voice Actors?
Many talented voice actors brought the Care Bears and their friends to life. The show had different voice casts for the DIC and Nelvana versions.
Voice Actors in the DIC Version
- Billie Mae Richards voiced Tenderheart Bear, Keith, and Matthew Miller.
- Jayne Eastwood was the voice of Birthday Bear and Tommy.
- Janet Laine-Green played Wish Bear and Mrs. Miller.
- Luba Goy voiced Gentle Heart Lamb and Lotsa Heart Elephant.
- Eva Almos was Friend Bear, Swift Heart Rabbit, and Kathy.
- Linda Sorenson voiced Love-a-Lot Bear and Mrs. Peal.
- Melleny Brown was Cheer Bear and Marion Marshall.
- Len Carlson voiced the villain Professor Coldheart.
- Louise Vallance played Proud Heart Cat and Eddie.
- Dan Hennessey was Good Luck Bear, Brave Heart Lion, and Loyal Heart Dog.
- Pauline Rennie voiced Cozy Heart Penguin and Treat Heart Pig.
- Patrice Black played Funshine Bear and Share Bear.
- Laurie Waller Benson was Murphy and Susie.
- Theresa Sears voiced Champ Bear and Bedtime Bear.
- Bob Dermer was Grumpy Bear and Frostbite.
- Joyce Gordon voiced Auntie Freeze.
Some actors also contributed without being listed in the credits:
- Jim Henshaw voiced Bright Heart Raccoon and Jeff.
- Marla Lukofsky played Playful Heart Monkey and Patti Johnson.
Voice Actors in the Nelvana Version
The Nelvana series had a slightly different cast, with some actors returning.
Season 1 Voice Cast
- Jim Henshaw – Tenderheart Bear
- Bob Dermer – Grumpy Bear
- Dan Hennessey – Brave Heart Lion
- Chris Wiggins – No Heart (the villain)
- John Stocker – Beastly
- Eva Almos – Friend Bear
- Patrice Black – Share Bear
- Melleny Brown – Cheer Bear, Baby Tugs Bear
- Jayne Eastwood – Birthday Bear
- Anni Evans – Champ Bear
- Paulina Gillis – Swift Heart Rabbit
- Luba Goy – Gentle Heart Lamb, Lotsa Heart Elephant
- Janet Laine-Green – Wish Bear
- Nonnie Griffin – Funshine Bear
- Terri Hawkes – Baby Hugs Bear
- Ellen Ray Hennessey – Proud Heart Cat, Bedtime Bear
- Marla Lukofsky – Good Luck Bear, Playful Heart Monkey
- Eric Peterson – Noble Heart Horse
- Pauline Rennie – Cozy Heart Penguin, Grams Bear
- Billie Mae Richards – Bright Heart Raccoon
- Carolyn Scott – True Heart Bear
Season 2 Voice Cast
- Dan Hennessey – Brave Heart Lion
- John Stocker – Beastly
- Eva Almos – Champ Bear
- Billie Mae Richards – Bright Heart Raccoon
- Luba Goy – Treat Heart Pig
- Tracey Moore – Cheer Bear
- Bob Dermer – Grumpy Bear
- Pauline Rennie – Grams Bear
- Chris Wiggins – No Heart
- Terri Hawkes – Baby Hugs Bear, Shreeky
- Melleny Brown – Baby Tugs Bear
Season 3 Voice Cast
- Melleny Brown – Cheer Bear, Baby Tugs Bear
- Bob Dermer – Grumpy Bear
- Luba Goy – Lotsa Heart Elephant, Treat Heart Pig
- Dan Hennessey – Brave Heart Lion
- Jim Henshaw – Tenderheart Bear
- Tracey Moore – Baby Hugs Bear, Shreeky
- Pauline Rennie – Grams Bear
- Billie Mae Richards – Bright Heart Raccoon
- Susan Roman – Champ Bear
- John Stocker – Beastly
- Chris Wiggins – No Heart
Where Can You Watch Care Bears?
The Care Bears TV series has been released on home video many times over the years. This means you can find episodes on VHS tapes and DVDs.
DIC Series Home Releases
In the United States, the DIC version of Care Bears was released on VHS by DIC Video and Buena Vista Home Video in the 1980s and 90s. Later, in the 2000s, companies like Sterling Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment released the episodes on DVD. For example, in 2008, 20th Century Fox released a 2-disc set called Care Bears: Care-A-Lot Collection with all 22 episodes. More recently, Mill Creek Entertainment also released the complete DIC series on DVD in 2015.
In the United Kingdom, Maximum Entertainment released the DIC series on DVD and VHS. These releases often included the Freeze Machine and Land without Feelings specials.
Nelvana Series Home Releases
In the United States, the Nelvana series was released on VHS by Lorimar Home Video and Fries Home Video in the 1980s. From 2004 to 2008, Lionsgate Home Entertainment released many episodes on DVD. In 2012, Lionsgate put out a big 6-disc set called Care Bears: The Original Series Collection. This set included most of the episodes and a bonus feature, Care Bears Nutcracker Suite.
In Australia, Magna Entertainment released all 52 episodes of the Nelvana series on DVD in 2004.
