Davis commented that the vocal performance suggested that "this character was bigger than life, high in energy, and, like a shark, always moving".Though Cruella's basic appearance, in particular her half black, half white hair, were established in Dodie Smith's original novel, the character's design in the film was developed by Bill Peet (who described Cruella as "a fiendish witch of a woman" who "made the story go"), Ken Anderson and Marc Davis.The long green cigarette holder was modeled on one used by Davis himself.Marc Davis, the sole animator of Cruella in all her scenes in 101 Dalmatians, was initially unsure that Cruella would suit the film, worrying that the character was too comic.The Disney villainess proved successful and has led to appearances in other media.Cruella is among the most critically-acclaimed and popular Disney characters of all time and is held in a similar regard among cinematic villains, once being voted the 39th greatest movie villain of all time, the 82nd most popular film character of all time and the 31st greatest movie female of all time.Davis exaggerated the size of the coat to match Cruella's larger-than-life personality, and added three big tails to its back to add a "slightly ridiculous" element; the coat's red clothing was intended to allude to the character's somewhat demonic nature (and corresponding name).

If you see a way this page can be updated or improved without compromising previous work, please feel free to contribute.101 Dalmatians: Escape from De Vil Manor102 Dalmatians: Puppies to the Rescue Disney Universe Disney INFINITY series (townsperson)Disney Villains Challenge Kingdom Hearts χ (outfit)Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ (outfit)Disney Emoji Blitz Fantasmic!Cruella, an old school friend of Anita's, claims that she cannot live without furs.She hires Horace and Jasper Badun, two incompetent crooks, to steal Pongo and Perdita's 15 Dalmatian Puppies, and buys eighty-four more through legitimate means.Betty Lou Gerson (original)April Winchell (TV series and 101 Dalmatians: Escape from De Vil Manor)Tress Mac Neille (TV series; "Close But No Cigar" and "The Fungus Among Us" only)Susanne Blakeslee (1998–present)Barbara Goodson (Disney on Ice) Cruella De Vil is the main antagonist of Disney's 1961 animated feature film, One Hundred and One Dalmatians.She is a wealthy, fashion-obsessed heiress who wishes to use the skins of 99 Dalmatian puppies for a fur coat.Indeed, his colleagues criticized him as he worked; Frank Thomas felt that the head was too skull-like, while Milt Kahl demanded to know why Davis had to "make her feet so damn big".In addition to the voice of Betty Lou Gerson, the animation was inspired by Tallulah Bankhead, Bette Davis in All About Eve and Rosalind Russel in Auntie Mame.