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Movie In the Beginning Was the End: The Truth About De-Evolution | ||
General Boy is a character created around 1975 by new wave band Devo. He is usually seen portrayed by Robert Mothersbaugh, Sr., the father of both Devo's lead singer Mark Mothersbaugh and lead guitarist Bob Mothersbaugh.
History
General Boy, along with his son Booji Boy, were first introduced in the 1975 short film The Truth About De-Evolution. Both characters have made numerous appearances in various short films, music videos, written propaganda and even concerts by the band.
Both characters were also incorporated into Devo's 1996 PC CD-ROM video game Adventures of the Smart Patrol (with Booji Boy being re-christened "Boogie Boy"). The booklet of the game claims that the Boys' true last name was Rothwell and that Booji Boy's true name was Craig Allen Rothwell.
The game's booklet also contained more information about General Boy's back story:
General Boy's career as a military intelligence officer was cut short over his claim that he experienced an alien abduction. He was made to undergo psychiatric testing which resulted in progressive mental instability. Shortly after his son's transformation into Boogie Boy, he stopped answering to Mr. Rothwell and became General Boy out of love and sympathy for his son.
For reasons unknown, General Boy was portrayed by actor Tom Finnegan in the game (likely because Robert was not available). Robert Mothersbaugh, Sr. reprised his role as General Boy at the annual 2002 DEVOtional event held in Cleveland, Ohio.
Robert Mothersbaugh, Sr. died in 2016.
