Italian American cartoonists have created some of the world's most popular animated characters including: Donald Duck, created by Alfred Tagliafero; Woody Woodpecker, a creation of Walter Lantz, (born "Lanza"); and Casper, the Friendly Ghost, the brainchild of Joseph Oriolo. SOURCE:  A Directory of Italian Americans in U.S. Entertainment by Michael Bacarella (Published by the National Italian American Foundation) This website: Copyright © 2001 Studio Q Int'l Inc / Urban Mozaik Magazine. All rights reserved. This website/publication, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher or the previous publisher of original republished materials.