The hit series' co-creator inks deal with Disney Branded Television, joining longtime creative partner Dan Povenmire to executive produce and voice direct all-new episodes of the award-winning animated show, which premiered in 2008 and became one of DTV’s most successful animated kids’ shows.
Disney Branded Television (DBT) has announced that Jeff "Swampy" Marsh, co-creator and executive producer of the award-winning animated series Phineas and Ferb, will executive-produce and voice-direct all-new episodes of the show. He joins his longtime creative partner, Dan Povenmire, who in January inked a deal to usher in the return of the series with 40 all-new episodes.
Marsh and Povenmire created and executive produced Phineas and Ferb, which premiered in 2008, that according to DBT, is the most successful animated series for Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14 in Disney Television Animation history. The show spanned 126 episodes, five one-hour specials including a musical, and two movies about resourceful stepbrothers who conquer boredom and make every day of their summer vacation count.
Meredith Roberts, executive vice president of Television Animation at Disney Branded Television, said, "Swampy is one of the brightest creators in animation, and among his many passions is connecting and collaborating with creative people, whether it's through writing, animation design, directing, music or acting. He continually elevates their artistry, as well as his own, to tell the bigger and more entertaining stories for global audiences. We're thrilled to be continuing our partnership and look forward to a long and exciting road ahead."
A musician, animator, writer, producer, director, and voice actor (including the voice of the Major Francis Monogram in Phineas and Ferb), Marsh, along with Povenmire, wrote more than 450 original songs encompassing pop, rock, swing, and jazz for the franchise. In addition, he voice-directed many performances by the Phineas and Ferb main cast. He delivered an array of guest-starring musicians and actors, including the GRAMMY-nominated artists Bowling for Soup (who recorded the show’s iconic theme song).
Marsh is currently producing a previously announced series for preschoolers, Hey A.J., from his Surfing Giant Studios in association with Disney Junior. The show is based on books by Super Bowl champion Martellus Bennett, who also stars in the adventure/comedy series’ voice cast. Marsh, Bennett, and Michael Hodges executive produce.
Alyssa Sapire, senior vice president of Development, Series and Strategy for Disney Junior, added, "Swampy is a multihyphenate talent bringing excellence to Hey A.J., a playful, music-filled series that represents what is most dear to him — family — and a relatable, positive portrayal of a child and her parents, a stay-at-home father, and small business owner mother. With every step, we're even more elated with the collaboration of Swampy's creative team and look forward to delivering a show that will entertain our young viewers and their parents too.”
Marsh’s credits include Postman Pat and Bounty Hamster (London). He also worked for Hanna Barbera, Klasky Csupo, and on more than six seasons of The Simpsons. In addition, he was a writer and director on Rocko's Modern Life and worked as a storyboard artist and designer on King of the Hill. Alongside Povenmire, he created and executive-produced Disney Channel's animated series Milo Murphy's Law.
Phineas and Ferb officially premiered in January 2008 and became television's #1 animated TV series of 2009 among Tweens 9-14, building to #1 among Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14 in 2011. The first of two television movies it inspired, Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension, ranked in TV's Top 2 movies for 2011. More recently, Marsh developed Pete the Cat, an animated series for Prime Video based on the children's book series.
Marsh is represented by Kelly Calder and Donna Felten at Natural Talent, Inc.
Source: Disney Branded Television
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
