April 02--Rudolph R. Perz, a Chicago ad man most famous for creating the Pillsbury Doughboy, has died. He was 89.
Perz, of Glenview and formerly of Wilmette, developed the iconic spokesboy in his early years at Chicago advertising agency Leo Burnett.
The Pillsbury Doughboy, otherwise known as Poppin' Fresh, was created in 1965 and is still used in commercials. A 1977 Chicago Tribune article called it "a cute little anthropomorphic embodiment of fresh dough."
Perz said at the time that early incarnations of the doughboy, originally animated, too closely resembled Casper the Ghost, which led to the development of the three-dimensional character. The doughboy was filmed using stop-motion.
In a statement, the Liz Nordlie, President of Pillsbury, said:
"We are saddened by the loss of Rudy Perz. Nearly 50 years ago, he created one of America's most loved and adored characters, the Pillsbury Doughboy. Our thoughts are with Rudy's family during this difficult time."
Visitation will take place this weekend in Skokie.
