Bernice is an African Escape Hen turned African Luck Hen. Rubbing the three hairs on her head would impart immediate and unbeatable luck on the person doing the rubbing. When Castor came into possession of Bernice and learned her secret power he decided to take her to the gambling casino on Dice island and win a fortune. To sail to the island he needed a ship and a crew. Popeye was the "crew" he hired. Later Bernice saved his life and is credited by some with giving him his strength and invulnerability. For more on Bernice just click on the LINK.

     Blozo is the King of Nazilia. he makes his debut on-------but comes into his own after Popeye's debut. He appears in several continuities and Popeye saves his throne more than once. For an expanded bio on King Blozo just click on the LINK.

     Castor Oyl is Olive's brother and along with Ham Gravy, an original member of the "Thimble Theatre". After Popeye's debut Castor and he embark on several memorable adventures. But as Popeye's popularity grew, Castor was seen less and less frequently in the strip. For an expanded bio on Castor Oyl just click on the LINK.

     Cole Oyl is Olive's and Castor's father. Although his appearances in the strip are limited to domestic scenes (in fact, in no strip is he ever seen out of doors) and he takes no active part in any of Popeye's adventures, his attempts at controling Olive's headstrong ways are well worth reading. For an expanded bio on Cole Oyl just click on the LINK.

     E ugene is a doglike animal (but NOT a dog) with the singular ability to move through the fourth dimension at will. This gives him the power to appear and disappear and to walk through walls. This also enables him to fortell the future. Eugene will always answer truthfully if asked a yes or no question. For an expanded bio on Eugene just click on the LINK.

     Geezil is a full blooded Nazilian yet lives in Popeye's town. he speaks with a heavy accent and claims his trade is that of a shoemaker. Geezil debuts on November 6th, 1932 and slowly becomes more regular in his strip appearances. But geezil's main purpose is as another of Wimpy's straight men, being constantly the target of his ploys for a free meal. For an expanded bio on Geezil just click on the LINK.

     The Sea Hag and not Bluto is Popeye's main enemy in Segar's "Thimble Theatre." She's involved in four continuities including the famous Plunder Island adventure. She's responsible for introducing Alice the Goon and (indirectly) Toar to the strip. For an expanded bio on the Sea Hag just click on the LINK.

     Harold Hamgravy was an original member of the "Thimble Theatre" cast from it's inception as a gag a day strip. he was also partners with Castor in many adventures and was Olive's long time boyfriend. When Popeye was introduced to the strip, Ham's usefulness was at an end and he was unceremoniously dismissed from the strip. His last appearance in a Segar continuity was on May 12th, 1930. For an expanded bio on Ham just click on the LINK.

     Nana Oyl is Olive's and Castor's mother. Nana is assumed to be short for `Banana' as in "Banana oyl". As with her husband, Cole Oyl, Nana's strip appearances are limited to those times when Olive or Castor return home from their latest adventure. For an expanded Bio on Nana Oyl just click on the LINK.

     Oscar is a Nazilian citizen but not a very bright one. He debuted in the strip as a member of Chief general Bunzo's staff, not even rating a name for 27 strip appearances and almost six months. Oscar later became Blozo's royal office boy and finally, near the end of Segar's life, became a sailor accompanying Popeye on his voyage in search of Poopdeck Pappy. For an expanded bio on Oscar, just click on the LINK.

     Roughhouse is the owner and operator of the local diner where Popeye spends a large part of his time eating and socializing and Wimpy spends a large part of his time trying to get a free meal. Roughhouse accompanies Popeye on some of his sea adventures but never plays a pivitol role. His main purpose is as a foil for Wimpy in many Sunday strips. For an expanded bio on Roughhouse just click on the LINK.

     Toar is a prehistoric man who has had an extended lifespan of 20,000 years from drinking out of the pool of youth. His first strip appearance was on February 7th, 1935. He was originally controlled by the Sea hag's sister and tried to kill Popeye. But after being defeated by the sailor he became Popeye's friend. For an expanded bio on Toar, click on the LINK.

     Of course Spinach isn't a character in `The Thimble Theatre', but where would Popeye be without it? Why Segar chose to have Popeye favor a spinach diet is open to debate. According to Bud Sagendorf, Segar needed a somewhat logical explaination for Popeye's superhuman strength and his ability to withstand punishment. At the time nutritionists were praising spinach for it's vitamins and iron content so Segar decided to have Popeye eat Spinach. In his early days in the strip though, Popeye didn't limit his diet to spinach. In fact it's never mentioned. Popeye would and did eat a variety of things including beef, hot dogs and even hamburgers. In fact no mention is ever made of his preference for spinach until June 26, 1931, a full 29 months after his debut. For an expanded essay on Popeye's favorite dish click on the LINK.