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{{short description|Smurf character, leader of the smurfs}}
{{refimprove|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox comics character
<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| character_name = Papa Smurf
| image          = Papa smurf-comics version.png
| imagesize      = 170
| caption        = Comics version of Papa Smurf
| publisher      = [[Dupuis]]
| debut          = [[Spirou (magazine)|''Spirou'' magazine]], 1958
| creators       = [[Peyo]]
| alter_ego =
| full_name = Papa Smurf
| species = [[List of The Smurfs characters|Smurf]]
| homeworld = Smurf Village
| alliances = [[The Smurfs|Smurfs]]<br/>[[Johan and Peewit]] 
| aliases = Papa
| supports =  
| powers =
*High intelligence
*Command of [[Magic (supernatural)|magic]]
*Experienced alchemist and [[leader]]
|voiced_by={{Plainlist|
* [[Don Messick]] (1981–1989)
* [[Jonathan Winters]] (live-action films; 2011–2013)
* [[Jack Angel]] (short films; 2011–2013)
* [[Mandy Patinkin]] (2017)
* Davis Freeman (2021–present)
}}}}
'''Papa Smurf''' is one of the [[protagonists]] from the comic strip [[The Smurfs]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Eric P. |last=Nash |title= Charles Dupuis, 84, Publisher Who Introduced the Smurfs |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F03E2DC1E38F931A35751C1A9649C8B63 |work=[[New York Times]] |date=2002-12-02 |access-date=2008-08-22 |quote=They live in mushroom houses and are led by a bearded, 542-year-old patriarch, Papa Smurf.}}</ref> Most Smurfs are said to be about 100 years old, but at the advanced age of 546<ref>{{cite book |last=Duford |first=Rob |date=2007 |title=Seldom Familiar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZIKEYXAmQ0wC |publisher=Xulon Press |page=124 |isbn=978-1-60266-972-7 |access-date=2014-11-09}}</ref> (553 in the 1980s series episode "The Littlest Giant"), Papa is the oldest Smurf and the leader of all Smurfs. Despite his age, he is still quite energetic. Easily distinguishable from all the other Smurfs, Papa Smurf has a bushy white mustache and beard and is typically dressed in red pants and a matching red [[Phrygian cap]], making him the only Smurf who does not wear white. He was introduced in [[Peyo|Peyo's]] 1958 [[Johan and Peewit]] story "La Flûte à Six Trous", the first appearance of the Smurfs.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Murray |first1=Matt |title=The World of Smurfs: A Celebration of Tiny Blue Proportions |date=2011 |publisher=Harry N. Abrams |isbn=978-1419700729 |page=84}}</ref>

[[Don Messick]] provided Papa Smurf's voice for the [[The Smurfs (1981 TV series)|1980s animated series]] as well as the special ''[[Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue]]''. [[Jonathan Winters]], who voiced [[Grandpa Smurf]] on the animated series, was Papa Smurf's voice for the [[The Smurfs (film)|2011 film]] and [[The Smurfs 2|its 2013 sequel]], with the latter being Winters' last film before his death.<ref name=ComingSoon>{{cite news|title=Production Begins on The Smurfs 2|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=89642|access-date=April 26, 2012|publisher=ComingSoon.net|date=April 26, 2012|archive-date=April 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427225257/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=89642|url-status=dead}}</ref> On ''[[The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol]]'' and ''[[The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow]]'', Papa Smurf is voiced by [[Jack Angel]].<ref name=AnimatedViews>{{cite news|last=Noyer|first=Jérémie|title=The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol : maxi-director Troy Quane on Sony's mini-movie!|url=http://animatedviews.com/2011/the-smurfs-a-christmas-carol-maxi-director-troy-quane-on-sonys-mini-movie/|access-date=September 2, 2012|newspaper=Animated Views|date=December 21, 2011}}</ref> [[Mandy Patinkin]] voiced Papa Smurf in the animated film ''[[Smurfs: The Lost Village]]''.<ref name="PatinkinCast">{{cite news | first1=Borys | last1=Kit | url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/homeland-star-voice-papa-smurf-764395 | title='Homeland' Star to Voice Papa Smurf in Animated Movie | work=The Hollywood Reporter | date=January 16, 2015 | access-date=January 17, 2015 | last2=Siegel | first2=Tatiana}}</ref> David Freeman voices Papa Smurf in the 2021 ''[[The Smurfs (2021 TV series)|Smurfs reboot.]]''
In the original French version, Papa Smurf's name is "Le Grand Schtroumpf” which means "the Great Smurf" or "the Big Smurf."

==History==
Papa Smurf debuted in 1958  and is a gentle, humble, and knowledgeable [[village elder]]. As the Smurfs' leader, Papa is a central fatherlike figure that the Smurfs typically go to when seeking counsel. Due to his fatherly nature, Papa Smurf is always concerned about the Smurfs’ welfare and harmony. He is very [[altruistic]] and is always available to help anybody, whether Smurf or human. His great diplomatic skills are used when encountering humans or other creatures in the forest.

In the original comic books by [[Peyo]], Papa Smurf has a much more forceful personality than in other portrayals. He is often portrayed in these comics as cantankerous and irritable leader. In these comics, Papa has little patience and becomes easily angry with the Smurfs for being disobedient or making mistakes. However, in the 1981 series, he’s a calm leader.

Papa Smurf's duty is to ensure that all the Smurfs of the village get along and respect each other. When real chaos arises, Papa Smurf usually resorts to drastic measures, often through the use of magic. For example, Papa switched bodies with the antagonist [[Gargamel]] in order to pretend to attack the village ("[[Smurf Versus Smurf]]" comic adventure/"Romeo and Smurfette" TV episode). In another instance, he creates an entire village full of [[Doppelganger|evil doubles]] of the original Smurfs ("The Smurf Menace" issue).

While Papa Smurf sometimes prefers to not have to constantly fix problems, he realizes that it is his calling. He once said that since he may not be able to be the village leader forever, every Smurf should have a brief experience of commanding the village. To do so, Papa handed over his signature red hat, allowing each Smurf the chance to direct others on a construction project. The Smurfs were then referred to as "Papa Greedy", "Papa Clumsy" or "Mama Smurfette," depending on whose turn it was to be the village leader.{{when|date=October 2017}}{{where|date=October 2017}} While Papa did see the importance of each Smurf gaining leadership skills, his true purpose was to guide the Smurfs and help fix their problems and mistakes.

When he is not actively acting as the leader or helping other Smurfs, Papa Smurf indulges in his favorite hobby: magical chemistry, or [[alchemy]]. He often makes [[elixirs]] to help Smurfs who get into trouble. The Belgian comic portrays Papa Smurf constantly preparing magical drinks from [[Veratrum album|white hellebore]]. The drawings that portray the effects of these alchemical brews are shown as both turbulent and amusing. Aside from his house, he also has a laboratory containing several chemical devices. Papa Smurf often tries to create potions to help the Smurfs but sometimes fails; such as the time he accidentally created a substance that turned any living thing into a huge monster (see the album: The Smurfs and the Cracoucass and the cartoon episode "The Smurfs and the Howlibird"). He occasionally leaves the village in order to obtain the necessary ingredients for his potions.

==Voice actors==
* Richard Muller (1961-1969, ''[[The Smurfs (1961 TV series)|The Smurfs]]'')
*[[Bill Owen (actor)|Bill Owen]] (1979; ''[[The Smurfs and the Magic Flute]]'')
*[[Don Messick]] (1981–1990; ''[[The Smurfs (1981 TV series)|The Smurfs]]'', ''[[Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue]]'')
*[[Bill Capizzi]]/[[Michael Sorich]] (1983; ''The Smurfs and the Magic Flute'')
*[[Jack Angel]] (2011–2013; ''[[The Smurfs Dance Party]]''', ''[[The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol]]'', ''[[The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow]]'')
*[[Jonathan Winters]] (''[[The Smurfs (film)|The Smurfs]]'', ''[[The Smurfs 2]]'')
*[[Mandy Patinkin]] (''[[Smurfs: The Lost Village]]'', 2017)
*[[Scott Innes]] (briefly)<ref name="Glass">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kq789ZqOGPAC&q=scott+innes+papa+smurf&pg=PA74|title=Cool Careers Without College for People Who Love Manga, Comics, and Animation|last=Glass and Wentzel|first=Sherri and Jim|date=2007|publisher=Wentzel|isbn=9780786486946|language=en}}</ref>
*Davis Freeman (''[[The Smurfs (2021 TV series)|Smurfs Reboot]]'')

== Names in other languages ==
The character's name variates in other languages, when translated (Papa/Daddy Smurf, Great/Big Smurf, Old Smurf)
[[File:2020-09-20 11-17-07 ILCE-6500 DSC06289 DxO.jpg|thumb|180px|Papa Smurf figure, [[Brussels]]]]
* [[Czech language|Czech]]: ''Taťka Šmoula''
* [[Croatian language|Croatian]]: ''Papa Štrumpf''
* [[Danish language|Danish]]: ''Gammelsmølf''
* [[Dutch language|Dutch/Flemish]]: ''Grote Smurf''
* [[Finnish language|Finnish]]: ''Suursmurffi''
* [[French language|French]]: ''Le Grand Schtroumpf''
* [[German language|German]]: ''Großer Schlumpf / Papa Schlumpf ''
* [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]: ''Törpapa''
* [[Italian language|Italian]]: ''Grande Puffo''
* [[Polish language|Polish]]: ''Papa Smerf''
* [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]: ''Papai / Grande Smurf''
* [[Slovene language|Slovenian]]: ''Ata Smrk''
* [[Spanish language|Spanish]]: ''Papá Pitufo''
* [[Swedish language|Swedish]]: ''Gammelsmurf''
* [[Turkish language|Turkish]]: ''Şirin Baba''

==See also==
*[[List of characters in The Smurfs]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.smurf.com The Smurfs official site]

{{The Smurfs Series}}

[[Category:Fictional alchemists]]
[[Category:Fictional humanoids]]
[[Category:Fictional inventors in comics]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1958]]
[[Category:Comics characters who use magic]]
[[Category:Male characters in comics]]
[[Category:The Smurfs characters]]