1954 in animation explained

Events in 1954 in animation.

Events

January

• January 30: Hanna-Barbera's Tom & Jerry short Posse Cat, produced by MGM, is first released.^[1]

March

• March 5: The Donald Duck cartoon Donald's Diary premieres, produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and directed by Jack Kinney.^[2]
• March 25: 26th Academy Awards: The Walt Disney Company's Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom, directed by Ward Kimball and Charles A. Nichols, wins the Academy Award for Best Animated Short.^[3]

May

• May 8 Tex Avery's Billy Boy premieres, produced by MGM.^[4]

June

• June 19: Bob McKimson's Devil May Hare premieres, produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons which marks the debut of the Tasmanian Devil.^[5]

July

• July 24: Chuck Jones' Bewitched Bunny premieres, produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons which marks the debut of Witch Hazel.^[6]
• July 31: Dick Lundy's Bird-Brain Bird Dog, produced by MGM, premieres. It is the final theatrical Barney Bear cartoon.^[7]

August

• August 7: Friz Freleng's Tweety & Sylvester short Satan's Waitin', produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons, is first released.^[8]
• August 13: Jack Hannah's Donald Duck cartoon Grin and Bear It premieres, produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. It marks the debut of park ranger J. Audubon Woodlore.^[9]

October

• October 10: John Paul's premieres.^[10]
• October 16: Chuck Jones' From A to Z-Z-Z-Z is first released, produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons.^[11]
• October 27: The first episode of Walt Disney anthology television series airs under the title Walt Disney's Disneyland.^[12]

December

• December 4: Tex Avery's Dixieland Droopy premieres, produced by MGM.^[13]
• December 20: After having left the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer cartoon studio, Tex Avery joins Walter Lantz Productions. He directs his first animated short for this studio, I'm Cold which stars Chilly Willy.
• December 29: Halas and Batchelor release Animal Farm, an adaptation of George Orwell's eponymous novel. It is the first British animated feature-length film.^[14]
• Specific date unknown:
  • Mikhail Tsekhanovsky's The Frog Princess premieres.
  • Pete Burness' Mr. Magoo short film When Magoo Flew, produced by UPA, premieres.^[15]

Films released

See main article: List of animated feature films of the 1950s.

• August 19 - The Good Soldier Schweik (Czechoslovakia)
• October 10 - (United States)
• December - Tsarevna the Frog (Soviet Union)
• December 22 - Animal Farm (United Kingdom and United States)

Television series

See main article: List of animated television series of the 1940s and 1950s.

• October 27 - Walt Disney anthology TV series (various titles) debuts on ABC, NBC, and CBS.
• Specific date unknown - The Adventures of Paddy the Pelican debuts on ABC.

Births

January

• January 6:
  • David Sproxton, English animator, director and producer (co-creator of Morph, co-founder of Aardman Animations).
  • John Sparkes, Welsh actor and comedian (voice of the Narrator, Mr. Rabbit, Uncle Pig, Mr. Potato and other various characters in Peppa Pig, the title character, Elvis Cridlington, Station Officer Steele, Norman Price and Dilys Price in season 5 of Fireman Sam, various characters in Planet Sketch, Bitzer and The Farmer in Shaun the Sheep, Mister Elf and King Marigold in Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom, Goronwy in Wallace and Gromit's World of Invention, additional voices in A Town Called Panic and Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva).
• January 7: Sander Schwartz, American animation producer (president of Warner Bros. Animation from 2001 to 2007).
• January 17: Igor Kovalyov, Russian-born American animator, director and educator (Klasky Csupo).
• January 19:
  • Katey Sagal, American actress and singer-songwriter (voice of Turanga Leela in Futurama, Flo Spinelli in Recess, Policewoman Hero in Higglytown Heroes, Mordecai's Mom and Aunt Maxine in Regular Show, Jane 'Butch' LePray in Spirit Riding Free, Duckman's mother in the Duckman episode "The Germ Turns", Hare in the episode "Aesop's Fables: A Whodunit Musical").
  • Akira Shigino, Japanese animator (, Osomatsu-kun, Bismark, Sailor Moon Crystal, Saban's Adventures of the Little Mermaid), (d. 2024).^[16]
• January 20: Ken Page, American actor and singer (voice of King Gator in All Dogs Go to Heaven, Oogie Boogie in The Nightmare Before Christmas).
• January 25: Ruth Williamson, American actress (voice of Scotsman's Wife in the Samurai Jack episode "Jack and the Scotsman II", Cafeteria Lady Hero in the Higglytown Heroes episode "Wayne's Toasty Invention", Dame Lady Madame in the Robot and Monster episode "The Party", Ginbot in the Clarence episode "Jeff's New Toy", additional voices in Courage the Cowardly Dog).
• January 26: Sooan Kim, Korean-American animator (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Æon Flux, The Oblongs, The Simpsons), (d. 2017).^[17]
• January 28:
  • Richard Sakai, American film and television producer (The Simpsons, The Critic).
  • Simon Templeman, English actor (voice of Sir Mordred in The Legend of Prince Valiant, Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four, Doctor Dare in Loonatics Unleashed, Sardath in ).
• January 29: Oprah Winfrey, American talk show host, television producer, actress, author and philanthropist (voice of Coretta Scott King in Our Friend, Martin, Judge Bumbleton in Bee Movie, Eudora in The Princess and the Frog, Deborah in The Star).

February

• February 1: Bill Mumy, American actor (voice of Eon in Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, Johnny Tezuka in Bravest Warriors, Lennier in , Fox in the episode "The Terrible Trio", Agent Bryson in the episode "The Widening Gyre", Tim McCole in The Loud House episode "A Fridge Too Far").
• February 4: Shigeru Chiba, Japanese actor (voice of Yoshihiro Kira in , Megane in Urusei Yatsura, Kazuma Kuwabara in YuYu Hakusho, Raditz and Garlic Jr. in Dragon Ball Z, Buggy the Clown in One Piece, Don Kanonji in Bleach, the Narrator in Fist of the North Star, Japanese dub voice of Beast in X-Men, Discord in , and Megatron in the Transformers franchise).
• February 10: Bobbie Page, American producer and production manager (Warner Bros. Animation).
• February 15: Matt Groening, American comics artist and animator (creator of The Simpsons, Futurama, and Disenchantment).
• February 18: John Travolta, American actor (voice of the title character in Bolt, Mr. Langon in Our Friend, Martin, first voice of Dave in ).

March

• March 1:
  • Ron Howard, American actor and filmmaker (voice of Tom Colonic in Osmosis Jones, Philosophy Club President in From Up on Poppy Hill, himself in The Simpsons episodes "When You Dish Upon a Star" and "Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder").
  • Peter Spellos, American voice actor (voice of Sky-Byte in Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Hitode in Naruto, Bartley Asprius in Code Geass, General Szabo in Blue Dragon), (d. 2023).^[18]
• March 4: Catherine O'Hara, Canadian-American actress (voice of Sally and Shock in The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ludmilla in Bartok the Magnificent, Tina in Chicken Little, Kaossandra in Skylanders Academy, Skaelka in The Last Kids on Earth, Aunt Tennelli in The Magic School Bus Rides Again, Susan Frankenstein in Frankenweenie, Judith in Where the Wild Thins Are, Kata in Brother Bear 2, Penny in Over the Hedge, Miss Malone in The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley, Aunt Edith in Rock & Rule, Brooke Ripple in Elemental, Malicious in Witch's Night Out, Morgana in the Sofia the First episode "Gone WIth the Wand", Gwendolyn Swish in the Central Park episode "The PAIGE-riarchy!").
• March 7: Pam Carter, American voice actor (voice of Lena Mack in Street Sharks, Mrs. Andrews in Archie's Weird Mysteries, Sea Beast in Strawberry Shortcake, additional voices in Liberty's Kids) and voice director (DIC Entertainment), (d. 2005).^[19]
• March 8: James Carter Cathcart, American retired voice actor, voice director, pianist and vocalist (continued voice of James, Professor Oak and Meowth in Pokémon).
• March 11: David Newman, American composer and conductor (The Brave Little Toaster, , Rover Dangerfield, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Anastasia, Ice Age, Tarzan, Green Eggs and Ham, Pets United).

April

• April 3: Bob Onorato, American animator (Garfield and Friends, Pinky and the Brain), character designer (Adventures from the Book of Virtues) and storyboard artist (Hanna-Barbera, The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper, Disney Television Animation, The New Woody Woodpecker Show, What's New, Scooby-Doo?, Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law), (d. 2002).^[20]
• April 4: Tom Ruegger, American television producer, writer, and animator (Warner Bros. Animation, Hanna-Barbera, The 7D, Animalia).
• April 7: Jackie Chan, Chinese actor and martial artist (voice of Master Monkey in the Kung Fu Panda franchise, Master Wu in The Lego Ninjago Movie, Chinese dub voice of Li Shang in Mulan, Beast in Beauty and the Beast, and Long in Wish Dragon).
• April 9: Dennis Quaid, American actor (voice of Jaegar Clade in Strange World, Roven in Battle for Terra, Grandpa Redbeard in the SpongeBob SquarePants episode "Grandpappy the Pirate").
• April 10: Peter MacNicol, American actor (voice of X the Eliminator in Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, Doctor Octopus in The Spectacular Spider-Man, Man-Bat in The Batman, Sidney Poindexter in Danny Phantom, Nigel in Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure, Tseebo in Star Wars Rebels, David Clinton / Chronos in the Justice League Unlimited episode "The Once and Future Thing").
• April 13: Glen Keane, American animator (Walt Disney Animation Studios, The Chipmunk Adventure, Dear Basketball, Over the Moon).
• April 14: Katsuhiro Otomo, Japanese manga artist, screenwriter, animator and film director (Akira).
• April 17: Roddy Piper, Canadian professional wrestler and actor (portrayed himself in Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling, voice of Bolphunga in , Don John in the Adventure Time episode "The Red Throne", himself in the Robot Chicken episode "Metal Militia"), (d. 2015).^{[21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26]}
• April 27: John Cygan, American actor and comedian (voice of Hedley in Treasure Planet, Uncle Lope in Leo the Lion, Richard Kensington in Cars, Who in Horton Hears a Who!, Twitch in Toy Story 3, Male Radio Caller and Gus in , Abel North and Kane North in the Ben 10 episode "Super Alien Hero Buddy Adventures", TV Announcer and Man at Police Station in The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy episode "Bearded Billy", various characters in Regular Show, additional voices in Space Strikers, Titan A.E., Poochini, , Happily N'Ever After, Surf's Up, WALL-E, Cars Toons, Up, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, The Lorax, Monsters University, Despicable Me 2, The Pirate Fairy, Inside Out, Minions and Despicable Me 3), (d. 2017).^[27]
• April 28: Roy Braverman, American sound supervisor, sound editor, and composer (Disney Television Animation, Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, Nickelodeon Animation Studio).
• April 29: Jerry Seinfeld, American actor, comedian, writer and producer (writer, producer and voice of Barry B. Benson in Bee Movie, Comp-U-Comp in the Dilbert episode "The Return").

May

• May 8: Stephen Furst, American actor (voice of Fanboy in Freakazoid!, Hathi in Jungle Cubs, Dash in , Booster in Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, Male Warthog in the Timon & Pumbaa episode "Home Is Where the Hog Is", Sport in the Road Rovers episode "The Dog Who Knew Too Much"), (d. 2017).^[28]
• May 14: Jeffrey Townsend, American director, television writer (Rugrats) and composer (composed the Gracie Films logo).
• May 17: David Zippel, American musical theatre lyricist, director, and producer (Walt Disney Animation Studios, The Swan Princess).
• May 21: Janice Karman, American voice actress, producer and director (creator of the Chipettes and wife of Ross Bagdasarian Jr.).
• May 28: Townsend Coleman, American actor (voice of the title character in The Tick, Michelangelo and the Rat King in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Colt in Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs, Rory Llewellyn in Jem, Corporal Capeman in Inspector Gadget, Sentinel Prime in , Neddy the Mallet in Mighty Magiswords, the Vulture Police in Timon & Pumbaa).

June

• June 2:
  • Richard Sala, American comics artist, illustrator and animator (Liquid Television), (d. 2020).^[29]
  • Mike Svayko, American animator (American Pop, Fire and Ice, ), storyboard artist (Disney Television Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studio), background artist (), prop designer (The Chipmunk Adventure), technical director (), sheet timer (Disney Television Animation, Klasky Csupo, ) and director (Beetle Bailey, The Little Clowns of Happytown, Dino-Riders, Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue, Disney Television Animation, , Spider-Man, CatDog, ChalkZone), (d. 2002).^[30]
  • Dennis Haysbert, American actor (voice of Crash in Puppy Dog Pals, Master Ox in Kung Fu Panda 2, Chief Barnsdale in Static Shock, Kilowog in Justice League, Zipper in Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers, General Hologram in Wreck-It Ralph, Kale in ).
• June 9: George Pérez, American comic book artist (DC Comics) and writer (voiced himself in the Teen Titans Go! episodes "Marv Wolfman & George Pérez" and "Creative Geniuses"), (d. 2022).^[31]
• June 14: Jan Rabson, American actor (voice of Hooty and Professor Brighthead in , Tetsuo in Akira, Gordo Leiter, Jaws, Bilge, Reginald Farragut and other various characters in James Bond Jr., Kerma in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, King Donogard in Skeleton Warriors, Jolt Volt and Top Hat in Creepy Crawlers, Axel in A Bug's Life, Midas and Nack in Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper, Principal Affleck in Bratz, Joe Lacky in , Zhu Fu in Quest for Zhu, Professor Quantum in Superbook, Mulia Mild and Wind Rider in , Avery in The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest episode "Alligators and Okeechobee Vikings", Professor Erlich in the Justice League episode "Paradise Lost", Steve Malone in the Rugrats episode "Early Retirement"), (d. 2022).^{[32] [33] [34]}
• June 15: Jim Belushi, American actor, comedian and musician (voice of Simon the Monster Hunter in Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, Rocko in The Pebble and the Penguin, Fang in Gargoyles, Phil Palmfeather in The Mighty Ducks, Reginald the Mouse King in The Nuttiest Nutcracker, Glo-Bo in Doc McStuffins, Paul Revere in the Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego? episode "Date with Carmen Part 2", Mr. Fleener in The Tick episode "The Tick vs. Education").
• June 19: Kathleen Turner, American actress (voice of Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Constance in Monster House, Liz Strickland in King of the Hill, Stacy Lovell in The Simpsons episode "Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy", Gwendolyn in the episode "There's Something About Gwen (of Gorben)", the title character in the episode "Lady of the Lake", Monogatron Leader's Wife in the Rick and Morty episode "The Old Man and the Seat", Mole Judge in the Summer Camp Island episode "Molar Moles", herself in the Family Guy episode "Foxx in the Men House").
• June 21: Mike MacDonald, French-born Canadian actor and comedian (voice of the Mouse King in The Nutcracker Prince, Rip in The Ripping Friends, Lifeguard in the Ren & Stimpy "Adult Party Cartoon" episode "Naked Beach Frenzy"), (d. 2018).^[35]

July

• July 2:
  • Sue Rose, American cartoonist, animator, voice actress and television writer (Doc McStuffins, Kuu Kuu Harajuku, creator of Pepper Ann, co-creator and voice of the title character in Angela Anaconda).
  • Wendy Schaal, American actress (voice of Francine Smith in American Dad!, Secretary and Newport Heiress in the Family Guy episodes "The Peter Principal" and "Con Heiress").
• July 7: Ron Jones, American composer (DuckTales, Superman, Family Guy, American Dad!, The Fairly OddParents).
• July 17: J Michael Straczynski, American filmmaker and comic book writer (He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, , Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors, The Real Ghostbusters, CBS Storybreak, Spiral Zone, ).
• July 19: Steve O'Donnell, American television writer (Space Ghost Coast to Coast, The Simpsons).

August

• August 4: Martin Pasko, Canadian-American comics writer and animation writer (Thundarr the Barbarian, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, ), (d. 2020).^[36]
• August 6: John Moschitta Jr., American actor, singer and spokesman (voice of Blurr in the Transformers franchise, Key-Per in the Adventure Time episode "The Enchiridion!", Jim Spleen in the Family Guy episode "Fox-y Lady", Mr. Sackett in the Pinky and the Brain episode "You Said a Mouseful", Herb Leventhal in the Bobby's World episode "Misery Loves Company").
• August 13: Peter Hannan, American animator, singer-songwriter, author, illustrator, writer, and producer (Pound Puppies, Let's Go Luna!, creator of CatDog).
• August 20:
  • Al Roker, American weather presenter, journalist, television personality and author (voice of Patrick Patrickson in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, Sam Vander Rom in Cyberchase, Mailbox in Robots, Newscaster in , The Pirate Who Likes Sunsets and Kittens in The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!, Sum in Kung Fu Panda 3, Weatherman in the episode "Little Girl Lost", himself in The Proud Family and , additional voices in Quest for Camelot and WordGirl).
  • Theresa Saldana, American actress (voice of Rosa in New Kids on the Block, Mame Slaughter in Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Estella Velasquez in The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, Mrs. Diaz in the Batman Beyond episode "Unmasked"), (d. 2016).^[37]
• August 24: Joe Ochman, American actor (voice of André Bourgeois in , Wooster Q. Weasel in Animalia, continued voice of Jiminy Cricket).
• August 28: Bob Bendetson, American television writer and producer (The Simpsons).
• August 30: David Paymer, American actor (voice of Sheldon Cargo in Channel Umptee-3, Dean Whitehead in the episode "Talkin' Trash", Mason Andrews in the Static Shock episode "Hoop Squad").

September

• September 3: Kevin Petrilak, American animator (The Simpsons, Bobby's World, Rover Dangerfield, Once Upon a Forest, Exosquad, The Swan Princess, Space Jam), storyboard artist (He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Muppet Babies, Spiral Zone), sheet timer (Hanna-Barbera, Film Roman, Disney Television Animation, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Cartoon Network Studios, , Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studio) and director (Johnny Bravo, Nickelodeon Animation Studio).
• September 7: Michael Emerson, American actor (voice of Joker in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Alpha in , Doctor Venom in the episode "The Anaconda Strain", Brainiac in My Adventures with Superman).
• September 8: David Schwartz, American animator, storyboard artist (ALF Tales, The Real Ghostbusters, The Simpsons, Disney Television Animation, Yo Yogi!, Warner Bros. Animation, Rugrats, Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk, , Courage the Cowardly Dog, , Tutenstein, Curious George, Class of 3000, TMNT, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Wolverine and the X-Men, Sit Down, Shut Up, , Sheriff Callie's Wild West, Doc McStuffins, The VeggieTales Show), writer (Johnny Bravo, Ben 10, New Looney Tunes) and director (Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys, Jumanji, Channel Umptee-3, Johnny Bravo), (d. 2021).^[38]
• September 9: Jeffrey Combs, American actor (voice of the Question in Justice League Unlimited, the Leader in , Rat King in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Kuphulu in , Gyrus Krinkle in Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!, Professor Hatecraft in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, Kite Man in the episode "Long Arm of the Law!", Scarecrow in The New Batman Adventures episode "Never Fear").
• September 13: Isiah Whitlock Jr., American actor (voice of River Scott in Cars 3, Commander Burnside in Lightyear, C.E.O. in the BoJack Horseman episode "Head in the Clouds", Mayor Naise in the Apple & Onion episode "Election Day").
• September 14: Curtis Cim, American animator (Hanna-Barbera, Filmation, Zodiac Entertainment, King of the Hill, ) and storyboard artist (Calico Entertainment, King of the Hill, Warner Bros. Animation, Dragon Tales, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase, The Wild Thornberrys, As Told by Ginger, Clifford's Puppy Days, The Land Before Time, Curious George, , , ), (d. 2020).^[39]
• September 19: Janet Perlman, Canadian animator (National Film Board of Canada, Sesame Street).
• September 22: Shari Belafonte, American actress (voice of Blanche in Gravedale High, Mrs. Johanssen in Hey Arnold!, Marion Cornwalis in the Pepper Ann episode "The Velvet Room", Diana Cruz in The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest episode "Other Space").^[40]
• September 28: Stephen James Taylor, American composer (Tiny Toon Adventures, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Disney Television Animation, , Black Panther).

October

• October 1: Masahiko Tanaka, Japanese actor (voice of Gauron in Full Metal Panic!, Kyoichi Sudo in Initial D, Muramasa Kaburagi in Tiger & Bunny, Dot Pixis in Attack on Titan, Japanese dub voice of Ra's al Ghul in and Beware the Batman, Francis in A Bug's Life, and Stoick in the How to Train Your Dragon franchise).
• October 2: Frank Budgen, English commercial director and co-founder of Gorgeous Enterprises (directed the NSPCC advert "Cartoon"), (d. 2015).^[41]
• October 3: Paweł Sanakiewicz, Polish actor (Polish dub voice of James P. Sullivan in Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University, Pacha in The Emperor's New Groove and Kronk's New Groove, Max Tennyson in Ben 10 and , Hades in Justice League Unlimited), (d. 2023).^[42]
• October 6: Howard Hoffman, American actor (voice of Courage, Muriel Bagge, and Eustace Bagge in the What a Cartoon! episode "The Chicken from Outer Space", Head Scientist in the Shorty McShorts' Shorts episode "Dudley and Nestor Do Nothing", additional voices in ).
• October 8: Jim Smith, American animator (, The New Adventures of Beany and Cecil, McGee and Me!, Tiny Toon Adventures, The Oblongs, Electric City, Cans Without Labels), storyboard artist (DIC Entertainment, Defenders of the Earth, Spiral Zone, , Warner Bros. Animation, Poochini, Samurai Jack, The X's, The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, YooHoo & Friends, Cans Without Labels), character designer (Samurai Jack), background artist (Over the Garden Wall), musician, writer (Samurai Jack), director (The New Adventures of Beany and Cecil) and producer (The Ren & Stimpy Show, co-founder of Spümcø).
• October 9:
  • Scott Bakula, American actor (voice of Danny in Cats Don't Dance, himself in The Simpsons episode "Bobby, It's Cold Outside").
  • John O'Hurley, American actor (voice of Johannes Neils in the Tarzan franchise, King Neptune in SpongeBob SquarePants, King Nova in Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, Captain Excellent in Teamo Supremo, Mr. Slate in , Captain Star Johnson in Duck Dodgers, Phantom Blot in Mickey Mouse Works and House of Mouse, Walter Bunny in The Looney Tunes Show, Grandmaster in The Super Hero Squad Show episode "Whom Continuity Would Destroy!").
• October 10: Patric Zimmerman, American retired voice actor (voice of Elroy Jetson in , Augie Doggie and Dixie in Fender Bender 500 and Yo Yogi!, Tyke in Tom & Jerry Kids, Junkyard in Toxic Crusaders, Felix in Capitol Critters, additional voices in Popeye and Son, The New Yogi Bear Show, and The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy).
• October 16:
  • Ellen Gerstell, American voice actress (voice of Mihoshi Kuramitsu in Tenchi Muyo!).
  • Jeff McCarthy, American actor (voice of Michigan J. Frog from 1995 to 2006).
• October 18: Bob Weinstein, American film and television producer (Princess Mononoke, , Tokyo Pig, Unstable Fables, The Nutty Professor, Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil, Escape from Planet Earth, Underdogs, Paddington, ).

November

• November 5: Mike Gabriel, American animator and film director (Walt Disney Animation Studios).
• November 7: Unknown Hinson, American singer, musician, songwriter, actor and comedian (voice of Early Cuyler in Squidbillies).
• November 11: Roger Slifer, American comic book writer, screenwriter, and television producer (Sunbow Entertainment), (d. 2015).^[43]
• November 13: Chris Noth, American actor (voice of Lex Luthor in , Akio Kazama in From Up on Poppy Hill).
• November 18: Carter Burwell, American film composer (A Goofy Movie, Anomalisa).
• November 25: Dave Alex Riddett, English cinematographer (Aardman Animations).
• November 27:
  • Kimmy Robertson, American actress (portrayed Race Spectator in Stuart Little, voice of Duzer in Gravedale High, Featherduster in Beauty and the Beast and House of Mouse, Alana in The Little Mermaid franchise, Penny in Super Secret Secret Squirrel, Dot in The Tick, Gwen Mezzrow in Pepper Ann, Fifi in Belle's Magical World, Ollie in Ollie & Scoops, Samantha Stanky in The Simpsons episode "Bart's Friend Falls in Love", Donna in the Fish Police episode "No Way to Treat a Fillet-dy", Alice Pleasance in the episode "Mad as a Hatter", Margo in the Batman Beyond episode "Disappearing Inque", additional voices in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures, Tom & Jerry Kids and Droopy, Master Detective).
  • Steven Banks, American actor (voice of Dr. Morley in the King of the Hill episode "Hank's Unmentionable Problem"), musician, comedian and television writer (Nickelodeon Animation Studio, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, Lego City Adventures, Superhero Kindergarten).
• November 28: Marty Grabstein, American actor (voice of the title character in Courage the Cowardly Dog and , Singing Chest in the Wonder Showzen episode "Ocean").

December

• December 4: Tony Todd, American actor (voice of Dreadwing in , Icon in Young Justice, Slyrak in , Scare Glow in , Darkseid in Reign of the Supermen and , Astaroth in the episode "Trials of the Demon!", Dark Shaman in the Sym-Bionic Titan episode "Shaman of Fear", Aeon Worm in the Bravest Warriors episode "Season of the Mitch").
• December 18: Ray Liotta, American actor and producer (voice of Zack in the Family Guy episode "Brian Does Hollywood", Bubble Poppin Boys Leader in the SpongeBob SquarePants episode "What Ever Happened to SpongeBob?", Morty Szyslak in The Simpsons episode "King Leer", himself in Bee Movie and the Phineas and Ferb episode "What A Croc!"), (d. 2022).^[44]
• December 20: Dave Simons, American comic book artist, animator and storyboard artist (Marvel Productions, Spiral Zone, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, DIC Entertainment, Conan the Adventurer, Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Universal Cartoon Studios, Gargoyles, X-Men, , Extreme Ghostbusters, , Courage the Cowardly Dog, Butt-Ugly Martians, The Zula Patrol, Maya & Miguel, Kappa Mikey), (d. 2009).^[45]
• December 26:
  • Tony Rosato, Italian-Canadian actor and comedian (voice of Luigi in The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World, Orpheus and Young Nomad in Mythic Warriors, Duke in George and Martha, Quentin Eggert in Pelswick, Tom in the Monster by Mistake episode "Warren's Nightmare", Sherriff Ironsides in the Odd Job Jack episode "Odd Job John", Zane in the 6teen episode "Unhappy Anniversary", additional voices in The Busy World of Richard Scarry, Stickin' Around, , Blaster's Universe, The Ripping Friends, Carl², Da Boom Crew and Detentionaire), (d. 2017).^[46]
  • Ozzie Smith, American former professional baseball player (voiced himself in The Simpsons episode "Homer at the Bat").

Specific date unknown

• Nina Elias-Bamberger, American television producer (Sesame Street, Dragon Tales, creator of Big Bag), (d. 2002).^[47]
• Mac Torres, American animator (Pac-Man, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, , Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dino Babies, Space Jam), (d. 2021).^[48]
• Ellen Lichtwardt Goodchild, American animator (American Pop, Heidi's Song, Thumbelina, Nest Family Entertainment, Johnny Bravo, The King and I, The Tigger Movie), visual effects artist (Industrial Light & Magic, Who Framed Roger Rabbit), art director (Street Sharks) and writer (Danny Phantom).
• Gordon Kent, American animator (Fangface), storyboard artist (Ruby-Spears Enterprises, The Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Puppy Hour, Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour, , ), sheet timer (Bureau of Alien Detectors, Life with Louie, , Disney Television Animation, , Courage the Cowardly Dog, CatDog, Warner Bros. Animation, Stripperella, , Holly Hobbie & Friends, Family Guy, Film Roman, The Land Before Time, Chowder, Adventure Time, Allen Gregory, Bob's Burgers, Brickleberry), lip sync artist (), recording director (Scooby-Doo! in Arabian Nights, A Flintstones Christmas Carol), writer (Ruby-Spears Enterprises, Hanna-Barbera, Marvel Productions, , Garbage Pail Kids, Tiny Toon Adventures, Beetlejuice, Mother Goose and Grimm, Disney Television Animation, Taz-Mania, The Real Shlemiel, Spider-Man, Pocket Dragon Adventures), producer (Hanna-Barbera, Bonkers) and director (Teen Wolf, The Prince of Atlantis, Disney Television Animation, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy), (d. 2015).^[49]
• Peter Hudecki, Canadian animator (Nelvana).
• Gordon Goodwin, American pianist, saxophonist, composer, arranger, and conductor (Warner Bros. Animation, Walt Disney Company, Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa).
• Charlie Mills, British animator (The Trap Door, Stoppit and Tidyup).

Deaths

June

• June 11: Lajos Jámbor, Hungarian-American painter, illustrator, and background artist for animation (background artist for the Fleischer Studios, worked on the backgrounds of the animated feature film Gulliver's Travels), dies at age 69.^{[50] [51] [52]}

August

• August 17: Billy Murray, American singer (voice of Bimbo in the Betty Boop cartoons), dies at age 77.^{[53] [54] [55]}

September

• September 7: Bud Fisher, American cartoonist (creator of the comic strip Mutt and Jeff, credited as the writer, animator, and director of the strip's animated adaptations which were released by the Fox Film Corporation, although the majority of the animation was instead created by Raoul Barré and Charles Bowers), dies at age 69.^{[56] [57] [58]}
• September 27: Hy Mayer, German-American political cartoonist, comic artist and animator (The Travels of Teddy, with Otto Messmer), dies at age 86.^[59]

November

• November 22: Moroni Olsen, American actor (voice of Magic Mirror in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), dies at age 65.^{[60] [61]}

December

• December 6: Bill Nolan, American animator, director and animation writer (Pat Sullivan, Margaret J. Winkler, Walter Lantz, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer cartoon studio), dies at age 60.^{[62] [63] [64]}

See also

• List of anime by release date (1946–1959)

External links

• Animated works of the year, listed in the IMDb

Notes and References

1. Web site: Posse Cat. 30 January 1954. May 19, 2020. www.imdb.com.
2. Web site: Donald's Diary. 5 March 1954. May 19, 2020. www.imdb.com.
3. Web site: The 26th Academy Awards (1954) Nominees and Winners . May 31, 2015 . Oscars.org (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) . https://web.archive.org/web/20110706093858/http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/legacy/ceremony/26th-winners.html . 6 July 2011 . dead .
4. Web site: Billy Boy. 8 May 1954. May 19, 2020. www.imdb.com.
5. Web site: Bob McKimson. lambiek.net. May 19, 2020.
6. Web site: Bewitched Bunny. 24 July 1954. May 19, 2020. www.imdb.com.
7. Book: Lenburg . Jeff . The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons . 1999 . Checkmark Books . 0-8160-3831-7 . 6 June 2020 . 53.
8. Web site: Satan's Waitin'. 7 August 1954. May 19, 2020. www.imdb.com.
9. Web site: Grin And Bear It (Walt Disney Studios). https://archive.today/20131223221035/http://www.bcdb.com/bcdb/cartoon.cgi?film=4020. dead. December 23, 2013. The Big Cartoon DataBase. Big Cartoon DataBase (BCDB). May 19, 2020.
10. Web site: Hansel and Gretel. 24 December 1954. May 19, 2020. www.imdb.com.
11. Web site: From A to Z-Z-Z-Z. 16 October 1954. May 19, 2020. www.imdb.com.
12. Web site: Griffin. Sean. Walt Disney Programs. Encyclopedia of Television. Museum of Broadcast Communications. March 17, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170817202754/http://www.museum.tv/eotv/waltdisneyp.htm. August 17, 2017. dead.
13. Web site: Dixieland Droopy. 4 December 1954. May 19, 2020. www.imdb.com.
14. Web site: Animal Farm Timeline . John . Reed . 2013-04-12 . The Paris Review . Animal Farm ... premieres in New York City at the chic Paris Theatre, December 29, 1954. . 2016-09-28 .
15. Web site: When Magoo Flew. 1954. May 19, 2020. www.imdb.com.
16. https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2024/6/6/anime-director-akira-shigino-passes-away Anime Director Akira Shigino Passes Away at 70
17. Web site: Sooan Kim. IMDb.
18. Web site: Haring . Bruce . November 19, 2023 . Peter Spellos Dies: ‘American Dream’ And ‘Transformers’ Actor Was 69 . November 19, 2023 . Deadline . en-US.
19. Web site: Pam Carter. IMDb.
20. Web site: Bob Onorato. IMDb.
21. News: Roddy Piper on The Rich Eisen Show on July 24, 2015. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/K5FZCkyTq0Y. 2021-12-12. May 8, 2021. live.
22. Web site: Death certificate. tmz.vo.llnwd.net. September 1, 2015.
23. News: Gelston. Dan. WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper dies at 61. Associated Press. August 1, 2015. August 3, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150803091410/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/bfaf8a22e11d4736ae988cfd1733eaad/wwe-hall-famer-roddy-piper-dies-61. dead.
24. Web site: WWE Legend 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper Dies at 61 . . July 31, 2015 . July 31, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150731234510/http://variety.com/2015/biz/obituaries-people-news/roddy-piper-dies-dead-wwe-wrestler-1201554513/ . July 31, 2015 . dead . mdy .
25. Web site: Rowdy Roddy Piper Cause of Death Heart Attack from Blood Clot. August 19, 2015. August 19, 2015. TMZ. Time Warner.
26. Web site: 'Bad guy' professional wrestler 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper dies at 61. David. Perlmutt. The Charlotte Observer. July 31, 2015. July 31, 2015.
27. News: John Cygan, Actor on 'The Commish,' Dies at 63. Barnes. Mike. May 15, 2017. The Hollywood Reporter. July 25, 2022. en.
28. News: Animal House star Stephen Furst dies at 63 . Rosen . Christopher . June 19, 2017 . EW.com . June 17, 2017.
29. Web site: Richard Sala. lambiek.net.
30. Web site: Mike Svayko. IMDb.
31. Web site: George Pérez, Comic Book Artistic Icon, Passes Away at Age 67. CBR.com. Cronin, Brian. en-US. live. May 7, 2022. May 7, 2022. May 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220507175346/https://www.cbr.com/george-perez-obit/.
32. https://saltspringexchange.com/2022/11/01/obituary-jan-rabson/ Obituary: Jan Rabson
33. Web site: Voice Actor Jan Rabson Passes Away. Anime News Network. Alex Mateo. October 14, 2022. October 21, 2022.
34. Web site: Leisure Suit Larry voice actor Jan Rabson has died. PC Gamer. Andy Chalk. October 17, 2022. October 21, 2022.
35. Web site: Canadian comedian Mike MacDonald dies at 63. CBC. March 18, 2018.
36. Web site: Marty Pasko, Writer on Superman, Doctor Fate and Roseanne, Dies At 65. Johnston. Rich. Rich Johnston. May 11, 2020. May 11, 2020. en-GB. Bleeding Cool.
37. Web site: Cavassuto . Maria . June 7, 2016 . Theresa Saldana, 'Raging Bull' and 'The Commish' Star, Dies at 61 . June 23, 2023 . Variety . en-US.
38. Web site: David Schwartz 1954-2021. The Vindicator. January 1, 2022.
39. Web site: Curtis Cim. IMDb.
40. Book: Belafonte, Harry . My Song: A Memoir of Art, Race & Defiance . May 17, 2012 . Canongate Books . 978-0-85786-588-5 . en.
41. Web site: Frank Budgen: A Tribute. Creative Review. https://web.archive.org/web/20151124201858/http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2015/november/frank-budgen-a-tribute/. November 24, 2015.
42. https://gazetakrakowska.pl/nie-zyje-pawel-sanakiewicz-wybitny-aktor-zwiazany-byl-z-teatrem-bagatela/ar/c13-17872483 Nie żyje Paweł Sanakiewicz. Wybitny aktor związany był z Teatrem Bagatela
43. Web site: Lobo Co-Creator Roger Slifer Passes Away. Chris . Arrant . Newsarama. March 30, 2015 . March 30, 2015 . April 1, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150401043505/http://www.newsarama.com/23967-lobo-co-creator-roger-slifer-passes-away.html. live. mdy-all.
44. Web site: Pedersen. Erik. Fleming Jr. Mike. Ray Liotta Dies: 'Goodfellas' Star & 'Field Of Dreams' Actor Was 67. Deadline Hollywood. May 26, 2022.
45. Web site: Dave Simons. lambiek.net. April 7, 2018.
46. News: Beeston, Laura. 11 January 2017. Tony Rosato, veteran of SCTV and Saturday Night Live, dead at 62. Toronto Star.
47. Web site: Nina Elias-Bamberger. IMDb.
48. Web site: Mac Torres. IMDb.
49. Web site: Gordon Kent, RIP. Steve. Hulett. March 5, 2015. The Animation Guild.
50. Book: Heritage Comics Auctions #815 Pini Collection Catalog. Ivy Press. 2005. 9781932899504.
51. Web site: LOUIS JAMBOR, 69, VERSATILE ARTIST; Portraitist and Mural Painter Who Also, Did Book, Film Work Succumbs Here. 1954-06-12. The New York Times. en. 2020-02-22.
52. Web site: Lajos (Louis) Jambor. Artnet.com. 2020-02-22.
53. Web site: Ruhlmann. William. Billy Murray. Allmusic. October 14, 2011.
54. Web site: The Walter Lantz Cartune Encyclopedia: 1930 . 2011-04-24 . The Walter Lantz Cartune Encyclopedia . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110514224259/http://lantz.goldenagecartoons.com/1930.html . May 14, 2011 . mdy-all.
55. Web site: Billy Murray: A Biography. The Official Website of Billy Murray (1877–1954). Phonostalgia . October 14, 2011.
56. News: Harry C. (Bud) Fisher, Creator Of 'Mutt and Jeff,' Is Dead at 69; He Began Famous Comic Strip 'Early in Century--Owned 'String of Thoroughbreds. The New York Times. September 8, 1954. (abstract)
57. https://governmentcheese.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12:fairy-tale-flappers-animated-adaptations-of-little-red-and-cinderella-1922-1925&catid=11&Itemid=111 Fairy Tale Flappers: Animated Adaptations of Little Red and Cinderella (1922–1925)
58. Book: Lenburg . Jeff . The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons . 1999 . Checkmark Books . 0-8160-3831-7 . 6 June 2020 . 37–39.
59. Web site: Hy Mayer. lambiek.net. January 9, 2024.
60. Book: Disney Voice Actors: A Biographical Dictionary. 9780786486946. Hischak. Thomas S.. 6 October 2011.
61. News: Stage and Screen Actor Moroni Olsen Dies at 65 . 19 October 2023 . Spokane Daily Chronicle . 23 November 1954 . 16 . en.
62. Web site: William Nolan. IMDb. May 19, 2020.
63. https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/that-crazy-cat-bill-nolan/ That Crazy Cat Bill Nolan
64. News: 1937-07-03 . The first "Skippy" UA subject ready . Boxoffice.