Today on our Christmas Characters theme week, we’re bundling up and stepping into the snowy world of one of the most beloved figures in holiday pop culture: Frosty the Snowman. Though he may be made of snow, Frosty’s story has warmed hearts for more than seven decades—and it all began with a song.
A Song Sparked by Rudolph’s Success
“Frosty the Snowman” was written in 1950 by Walter “Jack” Rollins and Steve Nelson. Following the runaway success of Gene Autry’s recording of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” in 1949, the songwriting duo hoped to create another seasonal hit. They brought “Frosty” to Autry, who recorded it the same year, along with a version by Jimmy Durante. The plan worked—Frosty quickly became a holiday classic.
Interestingly, the lyrics never mention Christmas at all, yet the song is widely embraced as part of the Christmas canon. The story is said to take place in Armonk, New York, a place close to lyricist Steve Nelson’s heart. He frequently visited Armonk after WWII and eventually moved his family there in 1952. Today, the town honors its frosty claim to fame with an annual parade dedicated to the snowman himself.
A Snowballing Success in Music and Media
Almost immediately, “Frosty the Snowman” was covered by major artists of the era—including Nat King Cole, Guy Lombardo, and Jimmy Durante—with Cole’s and Lombardo’s versions earning chart success. The Ronettes’ 1963 Phil Spector–produced rendition remains one of the most iconic, even landing on Rolling Stone’s list of “The Greatest Rock & Roll Christmas Songs.”
Frosty’s story quickly jumped from song to page. In 1950, the beloved Little Golden Books series published Frosty the Snow Man as a children’s book, further cementing his place in holiday culture.
The 1969 Special That Made Frosty an Icon
Frosty’s most famous appearance came in 1969 with the Rankin/Bass animated television special Frosty the Snowman. Unlike the company’s other Christmas productions—known for their signature stop-motion “Animagic” style—Frosty was traditionally animated by Japan’s Mushi Production.
To give Frosty the charm of a classic Christmas card, Rankin/Bass brought in artist Paul Coker Jr., known for his greeting cards and work with Mad Magazine, to design the characters and backgrounds. Jimmy Durante narrated the special, with Jackie Vernon voicing Frosty.
The special premiered on December 7, 1969, on CBS, airing right after A Charlie Brown Christmas—and both scored huge ratings. Frosty’s popularity led to sequels including Frosty’s Winter Wonderland (1976) and Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July (1979).
After 55 consecutive years on CBS, the broadcast rights shifted to NBC in 2023. Today, Frosty continues to delight viewers on NBC and across streaming platforms like Hulu, Peacock, and Disney+.
A Much Older Tradition: Snowmen Through the Ages
While Frosty is a 20th-century creation, snowmen themselves have been part of winter culture for centuries. Historical depictions of snowmen appear throughout European art, with one of the earliest illustrations dating back to 1380. In an especially delightful bit of trivia: Michelangelo was once commissioned to build a snowman in 1494!
The oldest known photograph of a snowman dates to around 1853, proving that people have been sculpting snowy figures long before Frosty came to life with a magical hat.
And speaking of monumental snow creations—the record for the world’s largest snowman (or rather, snowwoman) was set in Bethel, Maine, in 2008. This towering figure measured 122 feet, 1 inch tall. Frosty would be impressed.
A Snowy Legend That Never Melts
With roots in music, animation, and centuries of snowy tradition, Frosty the Snowman remains one of the most enduring Christmas characters of all time. From Armonk parades to family movie nights, he continues to charm new generations year after year.
Join us tomorrow for Day 4 of Christmas Characters Week as we explore another wintertime favorite!