Mister Big was a villain

Villain

A villain is an "evil" character in a story, whether a historical narrative or, especially, a work of fiction. The villain usually is the antagonist, the character who tends to have a negative effect on other characters...

 on the 1960s cartoon

Cartoon

A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works...

 series Rocky and His Friends

The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show

The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show is an American animated television series that originally aired from November 19, 1959 to June 28, 1964 on the ABC and NBC television networks...

and The Bullwinkle Show

The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show

The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show is an American animated television series that originally aired from November 19, 1959 to June 28, 1964 on the ABC and NBC television networks...

, both shows often collectively referred to as Rocky and Bullwinkle

The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show

The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show is an American animated television series that originally aired from November 19, 1959 to June 28, 1964 on the ABC and NBC television networks...

. He is voiced by Bill Scott doing an imitation of Peter Lorre

Peter Lorre

Peter Lorre was an Austrian-American actor frequently typecast as a sinister foreigner.He caused an international sensation in 1931 with his portrayal of a serial killer who preys on little girls in the German film M...

.

History

Mr. Big's role in the series was serving the government of the fictional nation of Pottsylvania

Pottsylvania

Pottsylvania is a fictional country that appeared in the television series Rocky and His Friends and The Bullwinkle Show, collectively referred to as Rocky and Bullwinkle....

 in some manner, but his role was never made truly clear. Fearless Leader

Fearless Leader

Fearless Leader is a fictional character and the principal antagonist in the 1959–1964 animated television series Rocky and His Friends and The Bullwinkle Show, both shows often collectively referred to as Rocky and Bullwinkle...

, however, has been shown consulting with Mr. Big on what orders he should send to spies

SPY

SPY is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* SPY , ticker symbol for Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts* SPY , a satirical monthly, trademarked all-caps* SPY , airport code for San Pédro, Côte d'Ivoire...

 Boris Badenov

Boris Badenov

Boris Badenov is a fictional character in the 1960s animated cartoons Rocky and His Friends and The Bullwinkle Show, collectively referred to as Rocky and Bullwinkle for short. He is voiced by Paul Frees....

 and Natasha Fatale

Natasha Fatale

Natasha Fatale is a fictional character in the 1960s animated cartoons Rocky and His Friends and The Bullwinkle Show, collectively referred to as Rocky and Bullwinkle for short...

 in several episodes, suggesting Mr. Big's position was apparently a high one, perhaps even on top. Interestingly, he bears a strong resemblance to series creator Jay Ward

Jay Ward

J Troplong "Jay" Ward was an American creator and producer of animated television cartoons. He produced animated series based on such characters as Crusader Rabbit, Rocky & Bullwinkle, Dudley Do-Right, Peabody and Sherman, Hoppity Hooper, George of the Jungle, Tom Slick, and Super Chicken...

.

Mister Big only appeared in two storylines, "Upsidaisium

Upsidaisium

Upsidaisium is a fictional element that appeared in the 1950s and 1960s Rocky and His Friends and The Bullwinkle Show animated series, in the story arc entitled Upsidaisium...

" and "Metal-Munching Mice

Metal-Munching Mice

Metal-Munching Mice is the second story arc from the second season of Rocky and His Friends. It was broadcast on ABC during the 1960/61 television season on Thursdays, concurrently with Upsidaisium on Sundays.-Synopsis:...

," and was referred to by name twice in the "Jet Fuel Formula

Jet Fuel Formula

Jet Fuel Formula is the first and the longest Rocky and Bullwinkle story arc. It is also noteworthy in that it established most of the characters, themes, running gags, and other elements that would be employed in later stories and that would become so closely identified with the...

" story and once in "Missouri Mish Mash

Missouri Mish Mash

Missouri Mish Mash is the third story arc from the third season of Rocky and Bullwinkle . It was broadcast on NBC during the 1961-1962 television season....

." His schtick

Schtick

A shtick is a comic theme or gimmick. "Shtick" is derived from the Yiddish word shtik , meaning "piece"; the closely related German word Stück has the same meaning. The English word "piece" itself is also sometimes used in a similar context...

consisted of having a short stature (despite his name, he's as small as an insect); however, he would cast a long, tall, and menacing shadow against whatever wall was handy, projecting a sense of fear into whomever he was speaking to (usually Boris and Natasha).