Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz | |
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Phineas and Ferb and Milo Murphy's Law character | |
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First appearance | "Rollercoaster" (2007, Phineas and Ferb) |
Created by | Dan Povenmire Jeff "Swampy" Marsh |
Voiced by | Dan Povenmire |
Alias | Doof Dr. D Heinz the Ocelot Professor Time |
Species | Ocelot (legally) |
Gender | Male |
Occupation | Evil scientist (formerly) High school science teacher (formerly) O.W.C.A. agent Professor of Time Bratwurst vendor (formerly) |
Family | Roger Doofenshmirtz (brother) |
Spouse | Charlene Doofenshmirtz (divorced) |
Children | Vanessa Doofenshmirtz (daughter) |
Nationality | Drusselsteinian |
Affiliation | Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated (formerly) L.O.V.E.M.U.F.F.I.N. (formerly) O.W.C.A. |
Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz, often called "Doof" for short, also known as Professor Time, is a fictional character from the American animated television series Phineas and Ferb and Milo Murphy's Law . He was created by Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh, and is voiced by Povenmire. He was originally depicted as an incompetent evil scientist intent on conquering the "entire Tri-State Area" by creating obscure but nefarious inventions. Despite being a villain, Doofenshmirtz is shown to have a good side on some occasions. By the end of the fourth season of the series, the character is redeemed, using his inventions for the good of the world and looking after his daughter Vanessa Doofenshmirtz. Dr. Doofenshmirtz speaks with a caricature of a German accent and is from the fictional European country Drusselstein.
Doofenshmirtz appears in several merchandise pieces, including a book series [1] [2] [3] [4] and a video game. [5] After first appearing in Milo Murphy's Law in a guest role in the first season, [6] subsequently becoming a major supporting character throughout the rest of the series, moving into the Murphys' house after his house is destroyed. [7]
Doofenshmirtz in the show is a bumbling, dimwitted evil genius. His goal throughout most of the show is to take over the "entire tri-state area". [8]
A typical episode features Doofenshmirtz hatching an evil scheme or invention that he often links to a "back story" from his youth in the fictional village of Gimmelshtump, Drusselstein. Drusselstein is loosely based on countries in Western-Central Europe like Germany, Austria, Hungary and Switzerland, evidenced by buildings with Fachwerkhäuser architecture, the citizens speaking German in grammatical form or how the food, dresses and carnivals are similar to that of Fasching or even Oktoberfest. As a child, his parents were abusive and neglectful to him in many ways, including forcing him to be a lawn gnome, forcing him to dress as a girl, favouring his brother Roger over him, and both failing to attend his birth. Doofenshmirtz monologues [9] often and displays acts of "cartoonish" physical violence [epnote 1] towards Perry the Platypus. Often his inventions achieve a single successful shot before being destroyed. This shot usually serves to get rid of Phineas and Ferb's invention for that episode, preventing their sister, Candace, from "busting" them by showing their creations to their mother. According to his own life story, he was a bratwurst salesman, before being ruined by the hot dog industry; only then did he become an evil scientist.
In Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension , a more intelligent and successful version of Dr. Doofenshmirtz (from an alternate reality) appears, with the regular Dr. Doofenshmirtz serving as a supporting character. The alternate Doofenshmirtz later returns in the episode sequel, Tales from the Resistance: Back to the 2nd Dimension.
Despite nearly failing in almost all of his schemes, there are a few times when Doofenshmirtz actually succeeds. One example is in the episode "Candace Disconnected", where he builds a Pick 'Em Up-Inator to successfully pick up his daughter from her art class and bring her home in a couple of seconds. Another time is in the TV film, when he built an Otherdimension-Inator that involves traveling to alternate dimensions; this is done with help from Phineas and Ferb, much to Perry's distress. In the episode "Cranius Maximus", Doofenshmirtz builds a Key-Find-Inator to successfully steal the Key to the city, something which Perry failed to stop. Another example, which is perhaps the most famous, is in the 2014 special "Phineas and Ferb Save Summer", when Doofenshmirtz builds an -inator that uses the mass of the planet Jupiter to move the Earth away from the Sun into an early autumn. Despite being beaten by Perry with a mop, Doofenshmirtz manages to succeed in moving the Earth anyway, much to Perry's dismay. It also may have allowed him to briefly take over the Tri-State Area, as the change in weather caused civil unrest and allowed Doofenshmirtz and his fellow villains to take over City Hall.
In the fourth season finale "Last Day of Summer", Doofenshmirtz built an -inator that involves building a Tri-Governor's Mansion to Danville so that he can be elected as the first Tri-Governor of the Tri-State Area. Through a series of time loops (caused by his Do-Over-Inator, which was activated by Candace), Doofenshmirtz anticipates Perry's every move and defeats him in a series of traps before proceeding with his scheme, which became a complete success. He even took the opportunity to write up a law forbidding Perry and his agents from thwarting him until his term is over, which left Perry very depressed and admitting defeat. Despite succeeding in his lifelong goal, Doofenshmirtz learns that Vanessa wants to have an internship at O.W.C.A. and that his job as Tri-Governor is preventing her from joining the internship, leaving her depressed as well. Deciding that her happiness is more important than his evil ways, Doofenshmirtz decides to give them up, change for the better and allow Vanessa to have the internship. Following this, Doofenshmirtz also becomes a member of O.W.C.A.
Dr. Doofenshmirtz makes a cameo appearance in the ending cliffhanger of the season finale of Milo Murphy's Law , and becomes a regular character throughout the second season. In the episode "The Phineas and Ferb Effect", he and the other characters had a mission to stop the Pistachions. After all turns back to normal, the Murphy's Law causes Doofenshmirtz's building to collapse, leaving Doofenshmirtz to become Milo's houseguest, as he is somehow no longer a member of O.W.C.A, living ever since in the shed in the Murphys' garden.
Leaving his evil days behind, he often tries to be a good guy, but usually causing trouble, mainly with his Inators. After "Sick Day", when he discovers that the O.W.C.A. paid Perry to watch over him, Doofenshmirtz felt hurt, saying occasionally that he is angry with him, and losing his relationship with Perry, he searches for a new adventure buddy, bonding with Dakota in "Look At This Ship" after he too lost his partner Cavendish, and investigating his disappearance together ever since.
In January 2013, Disney launched the webseries Doof's Daily Dirt on YouTube. In it, the character comments on various Internet memes and pop culture trends, usually long after the subject is no longer of interest or relevance. Subjects have included Facebook, internet scronyms, Lolcatz, bacon-infused products, Psy's "Gangnam Style", One Direction, Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe", Honey Boo-Boo, the Kardashians and the Mayan apocalypse. The webisode series had an original run of 13 episodes [10] and was renewed for a second season, but ultimately ended along with the end of the original run of the main series. [11] Disney also started a Twitter account that posts frequently in the character's voice. [12]
The character also appeared in the fourth season finale for the reality TV series Shark Tank to "pitch his latest invention". [13] [14]
He also made cameos in the Hamster & Gretel episodes "Strawberry Fest Forever" and "Shush Hour".
Dr. Doofenshmirtz appears as a playable character in the mobile game Disney Heroes: Battle Mode. [15]
When Jeff "Swampy" Marsh and Dan Povenmire worked on the Nickelodeon animated series Rocko's Modern Life, they always included a song/musical number and an action/chase scene. They wanted to incorporate this trait in "Phineas and Ferb", [16] and used a platypus secret agent, [17] due to its interesting appearance [18] and role as a continuous nemesis that viewers could become familiar with. [19] "Dr. Meddleshmirtz," which later changed to Doofenshmirtz, [20] was created in the same vein.
Every main character of the series was designed using the geometric shapes of Tex Avery's Looney Tunes graphic style in mind - Doofenshmirtz appears to be an oval. [16] The simplicity of the drawings were intended to allow child viewers to copy them easily. Each one was designed to be recognizable from a distance or, as Povenmire notes as a reference to Matt Groening and The Simpsons , by silhouette. [21]
Co-creator and executive producer Dan Povenmire voices Doofenshmirtz. He describes the voice he uses as "Eastern European" and is one he used at the age of fifteen while having pillow fights with his five-year-old sister. To this day, his sister recognizes the voice and asks him to do it frequently. During recording sessions, Povenmire is easily able to ad-lib and improvise; the writers can change his lines without throwing him off. [9] Povenmire sometimes even adds his own lines or alters his enunciation,[ citation needed ] and is usually asked to perform the voice in interviews. [9]
In 2009, Josh Jackson, editor-in-chief for Paste Magazine, wrote in a blog that Phineas and Ferb was "the best kids show on TV" and gave Doofenshmirtz a large amount of praise. Jackson calls his inventions "awesomely designated devices of pure evil" and his complex relationship with his nemesis Perry the Platypus as "pitch-perfect." [22]
Despite a negative review of Phineas and Ferb on Toon Zone, Maxie Zeus notes that Povenmire's performance as Doofenshmirtz is a strong point of the series. Zeus writes, "Dan Povenmire voices him with such energy, and with such perfect timing, that you'll laugh out loud even at the stuff that isn't even supposed to be funny." Zeus also says that the Doofenshmirtz subplot would have made a "fine bit of sketch writing" if trimmed down. [23]
In 2022, Austin Allison of Collider called Doofenshmirtz "TV's most human villain", citing his attempts at being a good father to his daughter Vanessa and his "many-times-over tragic childhood" as nuances which make him a "likable "not-so-bad" villain". [24]
Phineas and Ferb is an American animated musical-comedy television series created by Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh for Disney Channel and Disney XD. It aired on the networks for four seasons between 2007 and 2015, and is expected to return for two additional seasons. The series follows stepbrothers Phineas Flynn and Ferb Fletcher during summer vacation. Every day, the boys undertake the construction of a grand project, or embark on a spectacular adventure, to make the most of their time on vacation. This annoys their controlling older sister, Candace, who frequently tries to expose their schemes to her and Phineas's mother. The series follows a standard plot system; running gags occur in every episode.
Daniel Kingsley Povenmire is an American animator, voice actor, writer, director, and producer. With Jeff "Swampy" Marsh, Povenmire co-created the Disney Channel animated series Phineas and Ferb and Milo Murphy's Law, in both of which he voiced the character Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz. In October 2020, Povenmire announced a new series for Disney Channel titled Hamster & Gretel, which premiered in 2022.
Perry the Platypus is a fictional bipedal platypus from the American animated series Phineas and Ferb and Milo Murphy's Law. Perry was created by Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh. Perry is featured as the star of the B-plot for every episode of the series, alongside his nemesis Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz. A mostly silent character, his lone vocal characteristic is provided by Dee Bradley Baker.
"Rollercoaster" is the series premiere of the American animated musical-comedy television series Phineas and Ferb. The episode was originally broadcast on Disney Channel in the United States on August 17, 2007 as a preview of the series. The episode follows the series' protagonists, Phineas and Ferb, as they bulid an extremely large roller coaster starting in their backyard and going throughout the city. In a subplot, the protagonists' pet platypus Perry is a "secret agent" codenamed Agent P who is assigned the mission to investigate the plans of an evil but silly scientist named Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz.
Phineas and Ferb is an action platform video game published by Disney Interactive Studios about the animated television series of the same name for the Nintendo DS, and developed by Altron. The game was released in North America on February 3, 2009, its United Kingdom release was on March 23 and its Australian release on September 23.
"Dude, We're Getting the Band Back Together" is the 22nd broadcast episode of the American animated television series Phineas and Ferb. It originally aired on Disney Channel in the United States on March 8, 2008. The plot concerns an attempt by Phineas Flynn and Ferb Fletcher to reform the band Love Händel for their parents' wedding anniversary.
"Flop Starz" is the third broadcast episode of the American animated television series Phineas and Ferb.1 The episode was originally broadcast on Disney Channel on February 1, 2008. In the episode, Phineas and Ferb become one-hit wonders in a morning, much to the disappointment of their sister Candace, who is trying out for the talent show The Next American Pop Teen Idol Star! Meanwhile, Doofenshmirtz converts his building into a giant robot to aid him in his attempt to conquer the Tri-State Area.
"The Monster of Phineas-n-Ferbenstein" is the 40th broadcast episode of the animated television series Phineas and Ferb. The episode revolves around Phineas Flynn and his step-brother, Ferb Fletcher, being told the story of how their Victorian ancestor helped a scientist create a monster. Meanwhile, Perry the Platypus is told a similar yet connected story concerning Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz's Victorian ancestor, who transformed himself into a monster.
"Lawn Gnome Beach Party of Terror" is the second broadcast episode of the animated television series Phineas and Ferb. In the episode, stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb construct an elaborate beach complex in order to survive the intense heat wave that has struck their city. Meanwhile, the boys' pet platypus, Perry, successfully halts the destruction of all the lawn gnomes in the tri-state area by his nemesis, Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz.
"Jerk De Soleil" is the 12th broadcast episode of the first season of the animated television series Phineas and Ferb. In the episode, stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb and their friends host a circus in their backyard, attracting much attention from the neighborhood. The boys' sister, Candace, tries to expose the cirque to her mother while experiencing an allergic reaction to wild parsnips.
"Are You My Mummy?" is the 13th broadcast episode of the animated television series Phineas and Ferb. The episode sees stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb going to an Egyptian-themed theater where they become inspired to befriend a mummy they believe is being kept in the theater basement. They confuse Candace, who was accidentally wrapped up in toilet paper, for a mummy. Meanwhile, Dr. Doofenshmirtz tries to blow up a beaver dam in order to make his property beachfront.
"Raging Bully" is the 6th broadcast episode of the animated television series Phineas and Ferb. The episode was originally broadcast on Disney Channel in the United States on February 4, 2008. In the episode, Phineas Flynn is challenged to a thumb wrestling competition at the mall by the local bully, Buford, after he accidentally embarrasses him in the food court. Meanwhile, the evil Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz tries using a hypnotic contraption to force everyone to celebrate his birthday and clean up their mess after the party.
"It's About Time!" is the 21st broadcast episode of the first season of the animated television series Phineas and Ferb. It originally aired on Disney Channel on March 1, 2008. The episode concerns stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb fixing a time machine on display in a museum and using it to travel back to prehistoric times. Meanwhile, Perry the Platypus deals with being replaced with a panda bear as the nemesis of the mad scientist Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz.
"Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation" is a special Christmas-themed episode of the animated television series Phineas and Ferb. The episode was originally broadcast on Disney XD on December 6, 2009. The special's narrative, set prior to the events of the series, follows protagonists Phineas and Ferb decorating their city for the arrival of Santa Claus. But when the evil mad scientist Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz uses a machine to ruin the holiday, Phineas and Ferb must find a way to fix it and save Christmas. The episode serves as the 37th broadcast episode of the second season, as well as the 84th broadcast episode overall.
Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension is a 2011 American animated science fantasy action-adventure comedy-drama television film based on the American animated TV series Phineas and Ferb. The film premiered on August 5, 2011 in the United States. It was first announced by Jeff "Swampy" Marsh during a January 2010 interview with the Daily Telegraph. The events of the film take place during the third season of Phineas and Ferb. It is the first feature-length film of the Phineas and Ferb series, and the third animated Disney Channel Original Movie, following Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama and The Proud Family Movie.
"Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel" is a crossover episode of the animated series Phineas and Ferb, featuring characters from Marvel Entertainment. The 22nd broadcast episode of the fourth season and the 196th broadcast episode overall of the series, it aired on August 16, 2013, on Disney Channel and on August 25, 2013, on Disney XD. The episode was released on DVD on October 1, 2013.
"Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars" is a one-hour long crossover episode of the American animated series Phineas and Ferb, featuring characters from Star Wars. The 41st broadcast episode of the fourth season and the 215th broadcast episode overall of the series, it aired on July 26, 2014, on Disney Channel and later on Disney XD on August 4, 2014. The episode's plot, while not considered canon in the Star Wars timeline, is a retelling of the 1977 film Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope in the style of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, where the Phineas and Ferb characters interact with the Star Wars characters.
Milo Murphy's Law is an American animated comedy television series created by Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh for Disney Channel and Disney XD. The series premiered on October 3, 2016, on Disney XD. It revolves around the title character, Milo Murphy, who is a descendant of the “Original Murphy” of Murphy’s law, which states that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. The series takes place in the same universe as Povenmire and Marsh's previous series Phineas and Ferb, with multiple references to the show occurring across season one, culminating in a crossover at the beginning of the second season and continuing throughout with other plot threads from the former series.
Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe is a 2020 American animated musical science fiction comedy film based on the animated television series Phineas and Ferb, created by Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh. Directed by Bob Bowen, who co-wrote it with Povenmire, Marsh, and several other writers, it is the second film based on the series following Across the 2nd Dimension (2011). Set at some point during the summer depicted in the series and before the fourth season finale, "Last Day of Summer", the film follows Phineas and Ferb as they rescue their sister Candace and Dr. Doofenshmirtz's daughter Vanessa from the planet Feebla-Oot. However, Candace becomes tempted to stay on the planet when she is treated with respect by its people, not knowing that they harbor a dark secret which involves her presence.
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