Don't Be Crabby, Winnie The Pooh!

Did you know that Winnie the Pooh used to be the mascot for Joe's Crab Shack restaurants? Walt Disney World is home to the Rainforest Cafe, T-Rex Cafe, and the Yak & Yeti Restaurant, all owned by Landry's Restaurants, which also owned Joe's Crab Shack. When Landry's sold Joe's Crab Shack in 2006, Pooh had to hang up his giant crab costume. I'm pretty sure that's what happened.

Pooh was temporarily without a seafood product to pitch. Luckily, the folks at Gorton's quickly offered Pooh the chance to play the Gorton's Fisherman. I bet you thought Pooh's favorite food was honey (or is that "hunny?") but you'd be wrong. Pooh just loves his fish sticks!



Pooh would later reprise his Fisherman persona in the film, "I Know What You Did Last Summer 5", which went straight to video.

When Gorton's decided to bring back its human Fisherman, Pooh was available to sell more frozen foods. Happily, the folks at Eskimo Pie were interested in signing on both Pooh and Piglet to be their spokes-characters.


Pooh enjoyed the role so much that he decided to take a break from acting and move to Alaska.

He rented a cabin in Juneau and befriended Grizzly Adams and Gentle Ben.



Pooh had suddenly become an accomplished hunter, and was known to get in fights with some of the deadliest grizzlies in the wilderness.

Winnie the Pooh's new image attracted the interest of Brawny Paper Towels, which featured Pooh on product packages and specially printed Limited Edition paper towels.



Pooh is a Lumberjack, and he's okay!

Winnie the Pooh was suddenly very much in demand. He soon became the story editor and mascot for Ranger Rick Magazine. At the same time, he also auditioned for Julie Taymor's new project, "Bullwinkle: The Musical."



Pooh did not last very long at Ranger Rick Magazine (he was really only knowledgeable about the lives of stuffed animals, and "was not believable as a raccoon."). Julie Taymor's Bullwinkle project was sadly shelved during its workshop.

Pooh was more fit than ever, and wanted to compete in the Slalom at the Winter Olympics.


Unfortunately, Pooh got stressed out, started over-eating, and quickly gained weight. He ended his career as Slalom Pooh after constantly falling, getting tired easily, and crashing into trees and people.

However, he did encourage his pals Piglet and Tigger to compete in the Bobsled Races in the Winter Olympics.




Tigger and Piglet ended up winning the Gold Medal. They also won a trip to Disneyland (so they basically won a trip home).

Be sure to check out Pooh's stint as an Elvis impersonator and find out about his Super Hero alter-ego!