King of Cartoons

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The King of Cartoons was a character on Pee-wee's Playhouse, played by two African-American actors. In the first season, he was played by Gilbert Lewis and was a bumbling, forgetful character. For the remainder of the run, William Marshall played him as a more kingly figure.

The King's appearance marked the segment of each episode in which an old (often public domain) and very brief cartoon would be shown. In the first season, after being introduced by Dixie, he would enter the playhouse holding a film projector, which he pointed directly at the camera, saying, "Let the cartoon begin!" He would then turn the projector on, and light would glow from its lens. The camera would zoom into the lens, which would "transport" the viewer(s) into the viewing of the cartoon. In season two, he brought a 1950s-era television to the Playhouse for the 1920s-1930s cartoon viewing. After Dixie left the show, he was introduced by the three flowers on Pee-wee's windowsill. They would introduce the King via a short song. The King would arrive, and would start the cartoon using a remote control.

In the episode "Spring", it is revealed that the King is married to a woman named the Queen of Cartoons and has a son, the Prince of Cartoons.