Mark Hall, one of the original founders of award-winning Manchester based Animation Company Cosgrove Hall; has passed away after a short illness.
Press Release from Cosgrove Hall
Mark Hall, one of the original founders of award-winning Manchester based Animation Company Cosgrove Hall; has passed away after a short illness.
Hall, who founded Cosgrove Hall in 1969 with Brian Cosgrove, went onto change the face of children’s television, making iconic programmes including DangerMouse, Count Duckula, Jamie and his Magic Torch, Wind in the Willows and Chorlton and the Wheelies.
Mark and Brian met at Manchester's Regional College of Art in the late 1950’s. In the 1960’s they worked as graphic designers for Granada TV. In 1971 Mark left to form Stop Frame Animation, and Brian joined him a year later. Their first production, 'The Magic Ball' was an award-winning series filmed in Brian's garden shed. Cosgrove Hall Productions eventually came together in 1976. Mark and Brian and their dedicated team created some amazing shows from their base in Chorlton. One of their most loved shows Dangermouse was commanding audiences of 19 million at its peak.
Mark and Brian retired in early 2000, but sadly the company ceased trading in 2009. However, last month it was announced that Cosgrove had been resurrected and that Mark and Brian had come out of retirement and were working with Dublin-based entrepreneur Francis Fitzpatrick to form Cosgrove Hall Fitzpatrick (CHF Entertainment).
Commenting on the sad passing of Mark, Francis Fitzpatrick said: “It is with great sadness that I heard of the passing of my business partner Mark Hall. He was iconic within the animation industry and it has been a real pleasure to work with such a kind, caring and generous person”.
Jean Flynn, who worked with Mark and Brian at Cosgrove Hall for over 30 years said: “Mark Hall was so well loved and was such an inspirational and fantastic boss. He fostered such encouragement and creativity and had a terrific generosity of spirit; helping hundreds of people start out in the animation industry. He had such a love for life and brought so much life into Cosgrove Hall. His love for life sparked all his ideas and characters and he was completely and utterly passionate about telling animation. He will be dearly missed”.
Mark will be sadly missed by his long-term business partner and lifelong friend Brian Cosgrove.
Mark passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home last night (Thursday 17th November).
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
