Animation Artist Ray Aragon Has Died
Artist Ray Aragon, who worked in layout, production design and storyboarding at various studios, died on Sunday, March 15, reports CARTOON BREW. He has 83.
Category: In Passing
Mr. Magoo Creator Dies at 92
Millard Kaufman, an Oscar-nominated screenwriter and the co-creator of Mr. Magoo, died in Los Angeles on Saturday at the age of 92, according to a LOS ANGELES TIMES obituary.
According to his son, Frederick Kaufman, Millard Kaufman died two days after his birthday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of heart failure.
Rod Gilchrist, Cartoon Art Museum Exec Director, Passes Away
Anyone who believes cartoons are just idle doodlings never met Rod Gilchrist.
For the past 11 years, Gilchrist was cheerleader, town crier and fan No. 1 of the provocative, wacky world of art embodied by SNOOPY, BIZARRO, IRON MAN and every other comic strip or book that made you laugh or shout with excitement.
Disney's Robert Broughton Dies
Longtime Disney camera operator Robert Broughton has died at the age of 91, according to an obituary in the POST-BULLETIN in Rochester, Minnesota. Broughton passed away January 19 in a nursing home in Rochester.
In 1937, Broughton started his 45-year career with Walt Disney Studios, working as a camera operator, then supervisor of special photographic effects on almost every film the studio did from SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937) to THE BLACK HOLE (1979). He was honored as a Disney legend in 2001.
Harryhausen Producer Charles Schneer Dies
News reports say producer Charles H. Schneer, who worked with Ray Harryhausen on many of his special effects epics, has died at the age of 88 in Boca Raton, Florida. Schneer passed away on Jan. 21.
Schneer got his start at Universal, then worked with Sam Katzman's B-picture unit at Columbia, where he met Harryhausen while the special effects creator was working on his giant octopus feature IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA.
In In Passing, Visual Effects, In Passing, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, South America
Batman Actor Pat Hingle Dies
Veteran actor Pat Hingle, best known as Commissioner James Gordon in the first four BATMAN films, died in North Carolina Saturday night at the age of 84, according to news reports. A spokeswoman for the family, cousin Lynn Heritage, said Hingle died of myelodysplasia, a type of blood cancer, at his home in Carolina Beach, North Carolina (per the LOS ANGELES TIMES).
The Shadow Illustrator Edward Cartier Dies
Artist Edward D. Cartier, whose illustrations appeared in THE SHADOW and numerous other science fiction and mystery publications, has died in New Jersey at the age of 94, according to the ASSOCIATED PRESS (via VARIETY).
Cartier died December 25 at his home in Ramsey, New Jersey, according to his son, Dean Cartier, after suffering from Parkinson's disease for several years.
Singer, Voiceover Actress Eartha Kitt Dies
Eartha Kitt, a singer, dancer, actress and voiceover artist, died Christmas Day in Connecticut, according to the ASSOCIATED PRESS. She was 81. A family spokesman said she succumbed to colon cancer.
Kitt started as a dancer with the Katherine Dunham troupe, moving into acting and singing onstage, in movies and on television, landing the role of Catwoman on the BATMAN TV series in 1967 to 1968, replacing Julie Newmar.
Oliver Postgate Dies at 83
Oliver Postgate, 83, died Monday near London. Postgate was best known for the British children's television animation he made with Peter Firmin in the 1960s and 1970s.
Postgate and Firmin first created IVOR THE ENGINE, followed by THE SAGA OF NOGGIN THE NOG, BAGPUSS and THE CLANGERS. Bagpuss, the "saggy old cloth cat," became an overnight licensing phenomenon nearly 20 years later, after being voted the top children's series of all time. Bagpuss and Clangers toys became firm favorites with original fans of the characters and a new generation.
ASIFA U.K.'s Pat Raine Webb Passes Away
ASIFA U.K. President Pat Raine Webb died Friday. Webb was an AWN contributor, animation festival regular, freelance researcher, writer and programmer in animated film with more than 30 years in the animation industry.
Webb passed away on Friday on a London bus of a severe heart attack, and is survived by her longtime companion Margot Grimwood.
n-Space President Erick Dyke Passes Away
On November 10, Erick S. Dyke, 41, died of complications arising after a battle with cancer. Dyke was the president and co-founder of Orlando, Florida based video game company n-Space.
Over n-Space's 14-year history Dyke served as its president, and together with his partner Dan O'Leary, created numerous hit video game titles, including CALL OF DUTY (DS), RUGRATS (PS and PS2), STAR WARS (DS), and MARY KATE & ASHLEY. Dyke was also involved in the creation and marketing of the company's original games, including TIGERSHARK (PC) and GEIST (Gamecube).
Animation Writer Emru Townsend Dies
After a battle with leukemia, animation writer and blogger Emru Townsend has passed away. A post from his sister Tamu on www.healemru.com said he died peacefully surrounded by family Tuesday night.
Townsend was diagnosed less than a year ago with leukemia, and a condition called monosomy 7. He turned from writing about technology, animation and pop culture to his fight with the disease. While needing a bone marrow transplant himself, Townsend worked to raise awareness about the need for donors, especially in minority groups.
Jurassic Park Author Michael Crichton Dies
Bestselling author Michael Crichton, who wrote thrillers JURASSIC PARK, TIMELINE and THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN, has died at age 66, reports the ASSOCIATED PRESS.
His family said he succumbed Tuesday in Los Angeles at age 66 after a private battle against cancer.
"Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand," his family said in a statement.
Animation Veteran John Ahern Passes Away
After a yearlong battle with leukemia, veteran Disney and Hanna-Barbera animator and teacher John Ahern passed away Wednesday morning in Orem, Utah.
Sesame Workshop Producer Arlene Sherman Passes Away
Longtime Sesame Workshop producer Arlene Sherman has died. Sherman spent more than 30 years with the organization, starting out as a Production Coordinator and moving up to Co-Executive Producer for SESAME STREET.
Studio B Producer Pimm Dies
Earlier this week, Studio B lost producer Richard Pimm, who passed away on September 24, 2008. Pimm, 60, was a known animation producer throughout Canada and the world.
For more than 30 years, Pimm worked for many of the world's leading animation companies, including Nelvana, Disney and Lucasfilm. He also spent 12 years working as an overseas supervisor in Korea, Taiwan, China, Wales, Thailand and the Philippines, where he was the General Manager for Toon City.
Animation Professor Bob Winquist Dies At 85
Influential animation professor at California Institute of the Arts, Bob Winquist died last week at 85.
A LOS ANGELES TIMES obituary documents his career and mentorship to animation greats Ralph Eggleston and Pete Docter, among others.
Peanuts Animator and Director Bill Melendez Dies at 91
Bill Melendez, considered a pioneer in animation and best known for bringing the PEANUTS characters to life, died early Tuesday morning September 2 at St. John's hospital in Santa Monica, California. He was 91.
With his trade mark handle bar mustache, Melendez was a talent whose unique style and distinct sense of humor inspired a generation.
Melendez began his career at Walt Disney Studios. As a young animator he worked on PINOCCHIO, FANTASIA, BAMBI, DUMBO and classic Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck cartoons.
Former Animation Studio Head Morris Sullivan Dies
Morris Sullivan, who helped establish the Irish animation studio responsible for AN AMERICAN TAIL and THE LAND BEFORE TIME, has died in Toluca Lake, California at age 91, according to a LOS ANGELES TIMES obituary.
Sullivan ran a financial consulting firm before he helped found Sullivan Bluth Studios in 1985 with Don Bluth and other former Disney animators, who had produced several shorts and the feature THE SECRET OF NIMH but went bankrupt in 1984. Sullivan Bluth produced AN AMERICAN TAIL in 1986, and the studio was moved to Ireland to produce films more cost-efficiently.
Ex-WB Voice Actor Greg Burson Dies At 59
Voice actor Greg Burson, who once was the main replacement voice on Bugs Bunny and other characters voiced by Mel Blanc, died July 22 at age 59, according to THE BIG CARTOON FORUM.
His death was due to complications from diabetes and arteriosclerosis. However, "obviously, drinking had a lot to do with it," according to Mark Evanier, who directed Burson in three TV series.
First Female Disney Imagineer Dies
Harriet Burns, the first woman designer hired at Walt Disney Imagineering, has died at 79, according to a LOS ANGELES TIMES obituary. Burns helped create and build prototypes for Disneyland attractions like the SLEEPING BEAUTY CASTLE and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN.
Burns, a Santa Barbara, California resident, died of complications from a heart condition July 25 at USC University Hospital, said her daughter, Pam Burns-Clair.
Big Bird Costume Creator Dies
Costume designer Kermit Love, who helped puppeteer Jim Henson create Big Bird and other SESAME STREET, has died at age 91, per the ASSOCIATED PRESS.
Love died from congestive heart failure Saturday in Poughkeepsie, near his home in Stanfordville, New York, Love's longtime partner, Christopher Lyall, told THE NEW YORK TIMES.
Oscar-Winning VFX Artist Stan Winston Dies
News outlets are reporting Stan Winston, who won three vfx effects Oscars over the course of his career, is dead at age 62.
Per the LOS ANGELES TIMES, Winston died at his home Sunday evening after a seven-year struggle with multiple myeloma, according to a spokeswoman from Stan Winston Studios.
"Stan died peacefully at home surrounded by family," a spokeswoman said.
In In Passing, Visual Effects, In Passing, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America
Comic Actor Harvey Korman Dies
Comedian and voice actor Harvey Korman, 81, died Thursday, media outlets are reporting.
Korman, who voiced The Great Gazoo on THE FLINTSTONES, as well as dozens of guest voices on animated shows in his 47 year career, died at UCLA Medical Center after suffering complications from the rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm four months ago, his family said. He had undergone several major operations, according to the ASSOCIATED PRESS.
Children's TV Creator Dies Unexpectedly
Pineapple Squared Ent's Creative Director David Mitton died from a sudden heart attack last week. At the time of his death Mitton was overseeing a number of Pineapple Squared's projects including the animated epic for boys, ADVENTURES ON ORSUM ISLAND.
Television industry stalwart Mitton worked for the THUNDERBIRDS creator Gerry Anderson in the 1960s as a special effects floor technician on THUNDERBIRDS. It was there that he met Pineapple Squared's Supervising Director David Lane.
