Animator Herb Klynn dies

Herbert "Herb" Klynn, a pioneer in motion picture and television animation, passed away on February 3 at the age of 81. Combining graphic design and artistic talents, he worked at UPA from 1944 to 1959 on classic characters like Mr. Magoo, Madeline and Gerald McBoing-Boing, eventually rising to become the studio's Vice President and Production Chief. In 1959, he founded Format Productions with Jules Engel and was responsible for the creation of such popular animation series as THE ALVIN SHOW, THE LONE RANGER, and THE CURIOSITY SHOP, a collaboration with director Chuck Jones. Klynn worked on other projects with author Ted Geisel (Dr. Seuss), Academy-Award winning designer Saul Bass and sci-fi writer Ray Bradbury. His TV contributions include the animated titles for the I SPY series and the creation of THE DUCK FACTORY (1984), a semi-autobiographical TV sitcom about an animation studio which featured Jim Carrey in one of his first screen roles. In 1973 he initiated the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences' annual Student Film Awards. Legendary voice actress June Foray, who worked with Klynn on numerous shows at Format including THE ALVIN SHOW and THE LONE RANGER, said, "He was such a talented and versatile man, as well as being a consummate painter and artist. Herb was a sensitive man who understood the industry and the people that worked with him and for him."