Arlene

Arlene
Arlene
Arlene as she appears in the comic strip
SpeciesPink cat (Turkish Angora / Russian Blue)
GenderFemale
Created byJim Davis
First appearanceDecember 17, 1980
Voiced byDebra Messing (2004)
Audrey Wasilewski (2007 to 2016)
PartnerGarfield

Arlene is a fictional pink-furred female cat in the comic strip Garfield by Jim Davis. She is Garfield's main love interest and his official girlfriend since 1980 (confirmed by Jim Davis in February 2017).

Contents
  1. 1Character
  2. 2Relationship with Garfield
  3. 3In Other Media
  4. 4References

Character

Arlene first appeared in the strip on December 17, 1980. She is depicted as a pink-furred cat with thick eyelashes, large lips, and a distinctive gap between her two front teeth, features that Garfield occasionally teases her about.

In the comics and most animated media, she is portrayed as a short-haired pinkish white Turkish Angora. In the live-action movies (2004, 2006), she appears as a Russian Blue cat.

Arlene is more grounded and practical than Garfield. She often serves as a voice of reason and isn't afraid to point out Garfield's flaws, particularly his weight and ego.

Relationship with Garfield

The strip plays Garfield and Arlene's relationship ambiguously. Garfield is clearly fond of her but grows visibly anxious at any suggestion of commitment, marriage, or settling down. He often avoids serious discussions about their relationship.

Despite this, they are officially a couple. Jim Davis confirmed in February 2017 that the two were in an official relationship, stating: "Garfield is male. He has a girlfriend, Arlene."

In the CGI films and The Garfield Show, their relationship is portrayed more overtly romantic, with clearer expressions of affection between them.

In Other Media

In Garfield: The Movie (2004), Arlene appears as a Russian Blue cat, voiced by Debra Messing.

In Garfield Gets Real, Garfield's Fun Fest, Garfield's Pet Force, and The Garfield Show, she is voiced by Audrey Wasilewski.

References

  1. Davis, Jim (December 17, 1980). "Garfield by Jim Davis for December 17, 1980". GoComics.
  2. "Garfield's a boy... right?". The Washington Post. March 1, 2017.
  3. "List of Garfield characters". Wikipedia. Retrieved 2026.