Jeff Lenburg – författare

Here is the long overdue first biographical reference and first book of its kind to chronicle the amazing careers of nearly 300 of animation's most honored and recognized animator-directors and animator-producers from around the world. Publication coincides with the 100th anniversary celebration of the very first American animated cartoon, Humorous Phases of Funny Faces, released on April 16, 1906. From Max Fleischer (Betty Boop, Popeye) to Brad Bird (The Simpsons, The Incredibles), Ralph Bakshi (Fritz the Cat) to Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away), they are all here. With more than 70 never-before published photos and illustrations, including a full-color section of animation art, culled from private collections and many animators' personal collections, this book is an invaluable guide to the people who have shaped cinematic and television animation for decades to come.

Tex Avery, considered the father of screwball animation, was one of the most influential animators of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Creator of such classic characters as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Droopy, he directed many cartoons for Warner Bros., MGM, and Walter Lantz Productions and was nominated for six Academy Awards. Avery did much of his groundbreaking work in Hollywood, running the famous ""Termite Terrace"" animation studio. There, with a team that included fellow innovators Chuck Jones and Bob Clampett, Avery developed an animation style based on the idea that the artist could do anything in a cartoon and didn't need to base it in reality. Although Avery was blind in one eye, he did not let it hold him back. Known for his inventiveness and comic timing, he forged a legacy that influences animators today. Tex Avery illustrates this animation pioneer's life, his inspiration, and his lasting effect on the animation world.

Best known for creating Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney is one of the 20th century's most honored and important icons of animation. After producing animated shorts and launching his own animation studio, Disney introduced Mickey Mouse to the world in 1928, and released the first American animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in 1937. During his career, Disney worked as an animator, director, producer, and screenwriter and expanded his business to include the world-famous theme parks Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida. Nominated for 63 Academy Awards, he produced many cartoons and feature films considered classics today, including Bambi, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, and Sleeping Beauty. His artistic and technological innovations include developing the first sound cartoon and pioneering animation techniques such as personality animation, three-strip Technicolor, and multiplane animation. Walt Disney delves into this man's colorful life, explaining the inspiration for his classic creations and revolutionary animation techniques.

The seven-time Oscar-winning team of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera created or produced some of film and television's most beloved cartoon characters, including Tom and Jerry, the Flintstones, Yogi Bear, Jonny Quest, the Jetsons, and Scooby-Doo. They also pioneered and revolutionized television animation with a less-expensive style of animation that allowed them to produce the hundreds of memorable cartoon series still shown today around the globe. Through the 1960s and 1970s, Hanna-Barbera was a top producer of television animation, and the team also produced numerous animated features and television movies. The 50-year partnership between William Hanna and Joseph Barbera resulted in the creation of some of the most memorable and popular characters in 20th-century animation and pop culture. Readers will gain an understanding of how this multiple award-winning team worked together to become animation legends.