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Category: In Passing

In Passing Headline News

‘Dragon Ball’ Creator Akira Toriyama Passes at 68

The internationally beloved artist, who left a permanent mark on the manga and anime industry after a legendary career spanning over 45 years, passed away on March 1 of an acute subdural hematoma.

In Passing Headline News

‘The Backyardigans’ Creator Janice Burgess Passes at 72

The long-time Nickelodeon creative executive began her career in craft services before joining the network, eventually overseeing Nick Jr. shows such as ‘Blue’s Clues’ and ‘Gullah Gullah Island;’ her development and writing work included ‘Winx Club and’ ‘Bubble Guppies.’

In Passing Headline News

Famed Character Sculptor Kent Melton Passes at 68

Known for his work on multiple high profile animated films including ‘Aladdin,’ ‘The Lion King,’ ‘Mulan,’ ‘The Incredibles,’ and ‘Coraline,’ the artist dies last Thursday from Lewy body dementia.

In Passing Headline News

Japanese Manga Artist Ashihara Hinako Passes at 50

Shortly before her death, the artist and author of ‘Sexy Tanaka-san’ was involved in a minor social media feud with Aizawa Tomoko, writer of the Nippon Television live-action adaptation of the work, with the artist claiming Tomoko was allowed to stray too far from the source material; fans now blame NTV for failing the deceased creative.

In Passing Headline News

Stop Motion Animator and Director Mark Gustafson Passes at 63

The Oscar, Annie, Emmy, and BAFTA-winning creative, known for his work on ‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio,’ ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox,’ ‘Meet the Raisins,’ and many other stop-motion projects, has died of a heart attack.

In Passing Headline News

‘Coco’ Voice Actress Ana Ofelia Murguía Passes at 90

The illustrious Mexican actress, who lent her voice to Mamá Coco in the Oscar-winning 2017 Pixar musical comedy, appeared in more than 100 projects, most notably ‘The Queen of the Night’ (1995), ‘Mi Querido Tom Mix’ (1992), and ‘Life Sentence’ (1979), and was awarded the Golden Ariel special lifetime achievement award in 2011.

In Passing Headline News

Comedy and TV Legend Norman Lear Passes at 101

Known for his early ‘70s sitcoms, including ‘All in the Family’ and ‘Sanford and Son,’ the famed creative contributed his talents to numerous hit shows and films, both live-action and animated, until his last days. 

In Passing Headline News

‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘Star Wars’ VFX Artist Marc Thorpe Passes at 77

The artist, also known for his competition show ‘Robot Wars,’ passed away November 24 of complications related to Parkinson’s Disease, shared his daughter Megan Feffer on Facebook. 

In Passing Headline News

Remington Chase, Accused BASE FX Fraudster, Dies in U.K.

Suspected of swindling investors of the Beijing-based VFX and animation company, as well as Knightsbridge Entertainment, out of at least $234 million, the former producer died of liver failure on July 31 in Blackpool, with his alleged co-conspirator still at large.

In Passing Headline News

Harley Quinn Voice Actress Arleen Sorkin Passes at 67

Also known for her role as Calliope Jones on ‘Days of Our Lives,’ Sorkin was the original inspiration for the maniacal blonde villain and lent her voice to the character in ‘Batman: The Animated Series,’ video games, animated films, and multiple other series. 

In Passing Headline News

Art Director Nizo Yamamoto Passes Away at 70

The acclaimed anime creative worked on many Studio Ghibli films, including ‘Princess Mononoke’ and ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ and was known for his grand cloud vistas, called ‘Nizō-gumo’ or ‘Nizō Clouds.’

In-Passing Headline News

Remembering the Fabulous, Witty, and Norm-Breaking Paul Bush

The British experimental short filmmaker, known for his early scratch frame films ‘His Comedy’ and ‘The Albatross’ as well as his single frame works like ‘Five Minute Museum,’ was killed in a motorcycle accident in Wales last Thursday.

In-Passing Headline News

Paul Reubens of ‘Pee-wee Herman’ Fame Dies at 70

By Dan Sarto | Monday, July 31, 2023 at 1:50pm

The noted comedian, writer, producer, voice artist, and actor, best known for his ground-breaking kids’ show, ‘Pee-Wee’s Playhouse’ and films including Tim Burton classics ‘Pee-wee’s Big Adventure’ and ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,’ passed away July 30 from cancer.

In-Passing Headline News

Randy Fullmer, Disney Feature Animation Veteran, Dies at 73

By Dan Sarto | Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 12:13pm

The multi-talented effects animator, VFX supervisor, artistic coordinator, and producer on films including ‘The Lion King’ and ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame,’ also renown as a master guitar builder for top musicians, passed away July 10.

In Passing Headline News

Animation Producer Cilia van Dijk Lieshout Passes at 81

The Oscar-winning producer, known for films including the Academy Award-winning animated short, ‘Anna & Bella,’ established the Dutch animation distribution company Animated People, was active in the Haarlem artist circuit, and was appointed Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau

In-Passing Headline News

Raoul Servais, Pioneering Father of Belgian Animation, Passes at 94

With a style that ‘blended expressionism and magical realism,’ the filmmaker produced 16 shorts and one feature, including the award-winning ‘Harpya’ and ‘Nocturnal Butterflies;’ he also served as ASIFA president for a decade and founded continental Europe’s first animation training course in 1960 at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent.

In Passing Headline News

Disney Legend Rolly Crump Passes at 93

The Imagineer, named a Disney Legend in 2004, was a key designer for the ‘Haunted Mansion,’ ‘Enchanted Tiki Room,’ ‘Adventureland Bazaar,’ and ’It’s a Small World’ attractions at Disneyland.

In Passing Headline News

TOONZ Studio Founder Bill Dennis Passes at 80

The longtime industry leader and ASIFA India chapter founder was a key player in building the animation production industry in India, including the setup of the Toonz Academy in Kerala and The Week of the Masters Animation Festival.

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