Hi! I’m Rudolph. The one with the nose so bright! You may have heard about me over the years. The actual Rudolph was created in the 1930s, so I’m the new generation of reindeer. I have the honor of being the frontman on the sleigh that Santa Claus flies around the globe!
Please tell us a little bit about your origin story. Where were you born and did you grow up here? Share a little about your childhood and your family.
Most people don’t know this about me, but Robert May, an employee of Montgomery Ward, an old-time department store, wrote a poem about me, which ended up being used by Wards in their Christmas catalog. And the rest has gone down in history! I did get to spend some time growing up in the hills of North Monrovia while I got old enough to inherit the sleigh job from my Dad, Rudolph the 9th! My childhood was great, except sometimes the other reindeer laughed at the glow of my nose, wouldn’t let me play games with them, and called me funny names. I got over that stuff a long time ago.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
My one and only career has been to guide Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. I’d say I have the best job in the world!
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I really don’t eat much people food, so restaurants really aren’t on my list. I do like Von’s a lot! They have the best apples in town!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community? Tell us about your favorite memory or experience living in Monrovia.
I grew up here for a short time with my brother, Rusty, but the only work I ever did was hunting for foliage and berries. My favorite memories are sleeping under the gigantic oak trees in this great City!
Q: None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person you’ve met here in our community who helped you get to where you are or inspired you?
Santa Claus, of course. He saw potential in me!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I have the honor of traveling all over the world for my job, so I’ve seen it all. I’d have to say my favorite place is probably Hawaii. It’s so warm there after a long winter in the North Pole!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies of all time? Do you have a favorite TV show or shows?
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, of course! Silly question. My second favorite is “Elf.” I could watch that 100 times and still laugh!
Q: What advice would you give to people? Do you have a Life Lesson quote?
Keep your loved ones close. Hug them every day!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I think I’d like to try driving the sleigh instead of guiding it
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what music to listen to?
Gene Autry – the guy who originated the song about me.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Dollmakers. They sold great toys and really helped Santa’s elves with their overstocked inventory.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I’d love to meet Frosty the Snowman. We’d go to Yogurtland to get something cold to eat!
Q: What is your favorite thing about Monrovia or something unique about our community that you like?
The people! They are so generous. And they love all the deer! Everyone always stops to watch them. I’ve heard people call them the “Monrovia traffic jam!”
Q: Sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you’ve ever made?
I never thought I’d admit this mistake, but I made a wrong turn on one of my first trips with Santa. We were headed to Sweden and somehow ended up in Italy. It all worked out since they were also on the Nice list. And by the way, I never DID run Grandma over. That was a big lie.
Q: Even for friends or family, what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Most of you don’t know that my nose is red because it is richly supplied with red blood cells, comprises a highly dense microcirculation, and is anatomically and physiologically adapted for reindeer to carry out their flying duties for Santa Claus, especially in the fog.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The North Pole! You should see it at Christmas time! Elves are busy making toys. Stable people are cleaning reindeer hooves. And everything is covered in snow. It’s just like living in a snow globe!
Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Guiding Santa around the world every Christmas is the best thing ever! I have the best job in the world!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Milk & Cookies
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Santa & Mrs. Claus
Q: If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the greatest amount of people, what would that be?
I would love to see peace on earth some day. It can even start right here at home by just one person doing good for someone. It’s even better if that someone is a complete stranger. It would be a good start!
Q: Finally, what three character traits come to mind when you think of your success in life?
Determination. Loyalty. Glee!
