1949 in animation

Events in 1949 in animation.

Events

January

• January 22: Tex Avery's cartoon Bad Luck Blackie premieres, produced by MGM. It marks the debut of a prototypical version of Spike the Bulldog.^[1]
• January 30: The first episode of Adventures of Pow Wow is broadcast.^[2]

February

• February 26:
  Tom & Jerry cartoon Polka-Dot Puss, produced by MGM, premieres. It is the first cartoon to use the classic Tom & Jerry theme music as its intro, composed by Scott Bradley.^[3]

• March 24:
  Academy Award for Best Animated Short.^[4]

• April 9:
  Bob McKimson's Bugs Bunny cartoon Rebel Rabbit premieres, produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons.^[5]

• May 13: Dallas Bower's Alice in Wonderland premieres which has stop-motion sequences by Lou Bunin.^[6]

June

• June 4: Arthur Davis' Bugs Bunny cartoon Bowery Bugs is released by Warner Bros. Cartoons.
• June 11: Tex Avery's classic short The House of Tomorrow premieres, produced by MGM.
• June 25: Chuck Jones' classic Bugs Bunny short Long-Haired Hare premieres, produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons.^[7]

July

• July 9:
  Heavenly Puss premieres, produced by MGM. This reel gained notoriety during the theatrical release for its subjects of damnation in Hell.^[8]
• July 30: Tex Avery’s Doggone Tired premieres, produced by MGM.^[9]

August

• August 27:
  Bob McKimson's The Windblown Hare premieres, produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons which stars Bugs Bunny, the Big Bad Wolf and the Three Little Pigs.^[5]

• September 1: Crusader Rabbit becomes the first animated series directly made for television.^[10][11]
• September 17: Chuck Jones' Fast and Furry-ous premieres, produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons, which marks the debut of Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner.^[12]

October

• October 1:
  Tom & Jerry, is first released. It marks the debut of Tyke the pup.^[13]
• October 5:
  Walt Disney Company, premieres.^[14]
• October 8: Voice actor
  Warner Brothers took an exclusivity contract on him. However, Lantz had kept using audio recordings of Woody's laugh and had other actors imitate the voice. The judge rules that Blanc has no case since he didn't copyright Woody's voice.^[15] However, Lantz does settle the case out of court and pays him some compensation afterwards.^[16]

• February 2:
  South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut, Dr. Gabriel Rylander in Generator Rex, Joker in Young Justice, Coach Mackey in Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey, Dr. Noonien Soong, Gondola Jack, and Medic in Robot Chicken, Gall Trayvis in Star Wars Rebels, Silver Surfer in the Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. episode "Fear Itself", Riddler in the Justice League Action episode "E. Nigma, Consulting Detective", Purple Man in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes episode "Emperor Stark", Robots in The Simpsons episode "Them, Robot", himself in the Family Guy episode "Not All Dogs Go to Heaven
  ").
• February 5:
  Bill Steinkellner, American screenwriter (The Lion King 1½, co-creator of Teacher's Pet
  ).
• February 8: John Swartzwelder, American novelist and screenwriter (The Simpsons).
• February 9: Judith Light, American actress (voice of Zuleika in Joseph: King of Dreams, Mrs. Wright in the Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero episode "My Mischievous Son", herself in the Family Guy episode "The Griffin Family History").
• February 10: Valri Bromfield, Canadian actress and comedienne (voice of Mary Hartless in Tiny Toon Adventures and Animaniacs, Molly in Camp Candy).
• February 18:
  The Centurions, Eddie in Turbo Teen, Major Talbot in The Incredible Hulk, Bat-Mite in the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Deep Freeze", Karl in the What's New, Scooby-Doo? episode "Fright House of a Lighthouse", Gombo in The Legend of Korra episode "The Earth Queen", Beta Ray Bill in The Super Hero Squad Show episode "The Ballad of Beta Ray Bill!", Lance Thruster in The Fairly OddParents episode "Crash Nebula", Kublai Khan in the Time Squad episode "Kublai Khan't", Santa Claus in the My Life as a Teenage Robot
  episode "A Robot For All Seasons").
• February 19:
  Genius Brands, co-founder of DIC Entertainment
  ).
• February 21: Larry Drake, American actor and comedian (voice of Pops in Johnny Bravo, Ganthet in Green Lantern: First Flight, Jackson Chappell in the Batman Beyond episode "The Winning Edge", Colonel Vox in the Justice League episode "Maid of Honor", Moss Meister in the What's New, Scooby-Doo? episode "Recipe for Disaster), (d. 2016).^[19]
• February 23: Judy Munsen, American composer (Peanuts).

March

• March 2:
  Masters of the Universe: Revolution, herself in the Family Guy episode "Not All Dogs Go to Heaven
  ").
• March 16: Victor Garber, Canadian actor (voice of Sinestro in Green Lantern: First Flight, Master Thundering Rhino in Kung Fu Panda 2, Sabino in Wish, James Sr. in the Spirit Riding Free episode "Lucky and the Train Tycoon", Michael de Graff in The Simpsons episode "Portrait of a Lackey on Fire").
• March 17: Patrick Duffy, American actor (voice of Harold Hatchback in the Goof Troop episode "Buddy Building", Steve Trevor in the Justice League episode "The Savage Time").
• March 21:
  Enrique-cilable Differences"), (d. 2019).^[20]
• March 30:
  Pick a Car, Any Car", and Click and Clack's As the Wrench Turns, Dusty Rust-eze in Cars and Cars 3) and television writer (Click and Clack's As the Wrench Turns
  ).

• April 2:
  • Pamela Reed, American actress (voice of Ruth Powers in The Simpsons, Jay's No. 1 Fan in The Critic episode "Miserable").
  • Laverne & Shirley in the Army, Scrounger in Pound Puppies, Ordinary Guy in the Darkwing Duck episode "Planet of the Capes", himself in the Duckman episode "Westward, No!"), (d. 2012).^{[21][22][23][24]}
• April 6: Tonino Accolla, Italian actor (dub voice of Homer Simpson in The Simpsons), (d. 2013).^[25]
• April 20: Veronica Cartwright, English-American actress (voice of Ms. Dominic in Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil, Sue in The Loud House episode "The Old and the Restless").
• April 21:
  F is for Family, Cheryl Monroe in The Simpsons episode "The Girl on the Bus
  ").
• April 24: Jim White, American voice actor (voice of Haredas in One Piece, the Narrator and Igneel in Fairy Tail, Marco in Fairy Gone, Zeke's Grandpa in Attack on Titan), (d. 2022).^[26]
• April 25: Augstí Ascensio Saurí, Spanish animator and comics artist (El mago de los sueños), (d. 1994).^[27]

May

• May 9: Billy Joel, American musician (voice of Dodger in Oliver & Company).
• May 20:
  Bob & Doug and Popzilla
  ).
• May 21:
  Willie the Giant and Pete), (d. 2021).^[28]
• May 24: Jim Broadbent, English actor (voice of Santa Claus in Arthur Christmas, Madame Gasket in Robots, Doctor Dee in Mary and the Witch's Flower).
• May 25: Yuki Katsuragi, Japanese singer (performed an insert song in Space Dandy and the theme songs for Goku Midnight Eye and Gon, the Little Fox), (d. 2022).^[29]
• May 26:
  • Hank Williams Jr., American singer-songwriter and musician (singing voice of Injurin' Joe in Tom Sawyer, performed the song "Canyonero" in The Simpsons episodes "The Last Temptation of Krust" and "Marge Simpson in: "Screaming Yellow Honkers"").
  • Arlene Klasky, American animator, graphic designer and producer (co-founder of Klasky Csupo).
  • Pam Grier, American actress (voice of Julie Auburn in the Pinky and the Brain episode "Inherit the Wheeze", the title character in the Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child episode "The Empress' Nightingale", My'ria'h in the Justice League episode "A Knight of Shadows").
• May 27: Jo Ann Harris, American actress (voice of Tina in Goober and the Ghost Chasers, Richard, Lewis and other various characters in The Simpsons, Felicia in What-a-Mess).
• May 29: Robert Axelrod, American actor (voice of Lord Zedd and Finster in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Microchip in Spider-Man, Wizardmon and Vademon in Digimon: Digital Monsters), (d. 2019).^[30]

June

• June 10: Kevin Corcoran, American actor (voice of the title character in Goliath II, Goofy Jr. in Aquamania), (d. 2015).^[31]
• June 11: Sherman Howard, American actor (voice of Derek Powers/Blight in Batman Beyond, the Preserver and Steppenwolf in Superman: The Animated Series, Van Pelt in Jumanji, Buzzard in Men in Black: The Series, Police Chief McBrusque and Haggis in the An American Tail franchise, Oog-Oh in the Invader Zim episode "Planet Jackers", Captain Horoth in The Mummy episode "Time Before Time").
• June 15:
  Slinky Dog in Toy Story and Toy Story 2, Cookie in Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Mr. Gus Holder in Annabelle's Wish, Walt Evergreen in the Duckman episode "You've Come a Wrong Way, Baby", Cooder in The Simpsons episode "Bart Carny", Ephialtes in the Hercules episode "Hercules and the Muse of Dance"), (d. 2000).^[32]
• June 22: Meryl Streep, American actress (voice of Mrs. Fox in Fantastic Mr. Fox, Queen Ant in The Ant Bully, Jessica Lovejoy in The Simpsons episode "Bart's Girlfriend").
• June 25: Kene Holliday, American actor (voice of Roadblock in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero and G.I. Joe: The Movie).
• June 27: Steve Rucker, American composer (Mister T, Disney Television Animation, Hanna-Barbera, Bionic Six, Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light, DIC Entertainment, Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, A Wish for Wings That Work, Dexter's Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, Codename: Kids Next Door, Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys, Salty's Lighthouse, Detention, ChalkZone).
• June 29:
  • Roger Allers, American animator and film director (The Lion King, Open Season).
  • Greg Burson, American actor (voice of Mr. DNA in Jurassic Park, voice replacement for all characters performed by Mel Blanc and Daws Butler), (d. 2008).^[33]
• Specific date unknown: Sally Cruikshank, American cartoonist, animator (Sesame Street, Quasi at the Quackadero), storyboard artist (SpongeBob SquarePants) and director (Quasi at the Quackadero).

July

• July 5: Ed O'Ross, American actor (voice of Agent K in Men in Black: The Series, Ivan in Curious George, Raskov in the Teen Titans episode "Snowblind", Tobias Manning in the Justice League Unlimited episode "The Once and Future Thing, Part One: Weird Western Tales").
• July 7: Shelley Duvall, American actress (voice of Ocka in the Aaahh!!! Real Monsters episode "Oblina Without a Cause", Fairy in the Adventures from the Book of Virtues episode "Perseverance").^[34][35]
• July 12: Judy Freudberg, American screenwriter (Sesame Street, An American Tail, The Land Before Time, Between the Lions), (d. 2012).^[36]
• July 14: Shirley Jo Finney, American actress and stage director (voice of Chaplin in Hey Good Lookin'), (d. 2023).^[37]
• July 22: Alan Menken, American composer, songwriter, conductor, music director and record director (Walt Disney Animation Studios).
• July 24: Michael Richards, American actor and comedian (voice of Bud Ditchwater in Bee Movie).
• July 29: Leslie Easterbrook, American actress (voice of Mala in the Superman: The Animated Series episode "Blasts from the Past", Randa Duane in the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Heart of Steel").

August

• August 9: Don Vanderbeek, American background artist (
  Candy Land: The Great Lollipop Adventure, The Simpsons), (d. 2014).^[38]
• August 16: Barbara Goodson, American actress (voice of Red Fraggle in Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series, Naota Nandaba in FLCL, Mother Talzin in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Marianne Lenoir in Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, Goku in the Harmony Gold dub of Dragon Ball).
• August 18: Takeshi Shudo, Japanese screenwriter (Pokémon), (d. 2010).
• August 21: Loretta Devine, American actress (voice of Hallie in Doc McStuffins, Muriel Stubbs in The PJs, Gayle McBride in The Loud House, Wanda in Eureka!, Shirley in The Cleveland Show episode "Mama Drama").
• August 23:
  • Miyuki Ichijō, Japanese voice actress (voice of Jodie Sterling in Case Closed, Ouhi in Slayers, Encia in The Vision of Escaflowne, Howmei in Martian Successor Nadesico, Antastasia in Cowboy Bebop, Melissa Fraser in The Big O), (d. 2023).^[39]
  • Shelley Long, American actress and comedian (voice of Grandma Murphy in Milo Murphy's Law, Sally Tubbs in the Life with Louie episode "A Fair to Remember", Carol Brady in the American Dad! episode "Excellence in Broadcasting").
  • Rick Springfield, Australian-American musician and actor (voice of Andy in the Johnny Bravo episode "Beach Blanket Bravo", Bobby Bastille in the Duncanville episode "Jack's Pipe Dream", himself in the Family Guy episode "Chap Stewie").^[40]
• August 25:
  Glenn Martin DDS, The Fairly OddParents, and Scooby-Doo! and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery, Jessie in the King of the Hill episode "Reborn to Be Wild", Sea Monster in the SpongeBob SquarePants episode "20,000 Patties Under the Sea", creator of My Dad the Rock Star
  ).
• August 28:
  MGM sing-along videos, Firrikash in Titan A.E., Mission Control 1961 in Fly Me to the Moon, narrator in Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie: Pyramid of Light, Frederick Fournier in The New Batman Adventures episode "Mean Seasons", Oil Slick Monster in The Adventures of Hyperman episode "Oceans a Leavin'", Crewcut in the Static Shock episode "She-Bang"), (d. 2005).^[41]
• August 30:
  season 1 of The Simpsons), (d. 1994).^[42]
• August 31: Richard Gere, American actor (voice of Henry in Henry & Me, himself in The Simpsons episode "She of Little Faith").

September

• September 12: Guy Paul, American actor (additional voices in Courage the Cowardly Dog).
• September 16: Ed Begley Jr., American actor and environmentalist (voice of Donald Todd in Static Shock, Barry Brittle in the Duckman episode "Research and Destroy", Dr. Corso in the Batman Beyond episode "April Moon", himself in The Replacements episode "Dick Daring's All-Star Holiday Stunt Spectacular").
• September 19: Ernie Sabella, American actor (voice of Pumbaa in The Lion King franchise and House of Mouse).
• September 21: Irene Mecchi, American screenwriter (Walt Disney Animation Studios, Brave).
• September 28:
  • Jim Henshaw, Canadian actor, screenwriter, and film and television producer (voice of Tenderheart Bear and Bright Heart Raccoon in Care Bears, Wicket W. Warrick in Ewoks).
  • The Boondocks episode "Invasion of the Katrinians", Selma in the A Pup Named Scooby-Doo
    episode "The Schnook Who Took My Comic Book").

• October 3: Norm Abram, American carpenter, writer and television host (guest starred in the Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman episode "This Old...Lemonade Stand", voiced himself in the Freakazoid! episode "Normadeus").
• October 4: Armand Assante, American actor (voice of Tzekal-Kan in The Road to El Dorado).
• October 8: Sigourney Weaver, American actress (voice of Frieda in Happily N'Ever After, Axiom Computer in WALL-E, the Narrator in The Tale of Despereaux, Lady Starblaster in Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero, The Myth Speaker in The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance episode "End. Begin. All the Same.", Female Planet Express Ship in the Futurama episode "Love and Rocket", herself in Finding Dory).
• October 11: Sharman DiVono, American television writer (Richie Rich, Star Wars: Droids, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Popples, DuckTales, Garfield and Friends, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures).
• October 25:
  • Ross Bagdasarian Jr., American cartoonist, animator, actor, writer, producer and director, and son of Ross Bagdasarian.
  • Bill Kovacs, American animator (Tron), (d. 2006).^[43]
• October 26: David Isaacs, American television producer and writer (The Simpsons).

November

• November 5: Armin Shimerman, American actor (voice of General Skarr in Evil Con Carne and The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Zilius Zox in Justice League Action, Calculator in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Slix Vigma in the Ben 10 episode "Grudge Match", Quark in the Star Trek: Lower Decks episode "Hear All, Trust Nothing").
• November 7: Judy Tenuta, American actress, comedian and musician (voice of Edna in Duckman, Black Widow in Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Mermaid, Waterskiing Babe, Black Widow and Waitress in Johnny Bravo, Tooth Fairy in the Nightmare Ned episode "Tooth or Consequences", Kelly in the Cow and Chicken episode "Buffalo Gals", Empanada in the Chowder episode "Mahjongg Night", Queen Porcina in the Mighty Magiswords episode "The Mystery of Loch Mess", herself in the Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist episode "Sticky Notes"), (d. 2022).^[44]
• November 27: Gerrit Graham, American actor (voice of Franklin Sherman in The Critic, Cat R. Waul in Fievel's American Tails, the Guardian in Gargoyles, Milo in The Tick episode "Armless But Not Harmless").
• November 28: Paul Shaffer, Canadian musician, actor, and comedian (voice of Hermes in Hercules and House of Mouse).
• November 29: Garry Shandling, American actor and comedian (voice of Verne in Over the Hedge, Ikki in The Jungle Book, Garry in the Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist episode "Sticky Notes", Captain Pat Lewellen in the Tom Goes to the Mayor episode "Couple's Therapy"), (d. 2016).^{[45][46][47][48][49]}

December

• December 4: Jeff Bridges, American actor (voice of Prince Lir in The Last Unicorn, Ezekiel 'Big Z' Topanga/Geek in Surf's Up, the Aviator in The Little Prince).
• December 5: Pamela Blair, American actress (voice of Flight Attendant and White House Tour Guide in Beavis and Butt-Head Do America), (d. 2023).^[50]
• December 7: Jymn Magon, American television writer (Disney Television Animation).
• December 9: Tom Kite, American professional golfer and golf course architect (voiced himself in The Simpsons episode "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield").
• December 12: Bill Nighy, English actor (voice of Whitey in Flushed Away, Rattlesnake Jake in Rango, Santa Claus in Arthur Christmas, Socrates in Norm of the North).
• December 15: Don Johnson, American actor, producer and singer (voice of Falcon in G.I. Joe: The Movie, Grandpa Whitey in Glenn Martin, DDS, Mr. McCormick in the American Dad! episode "Don't Look a Smith Horse in the Mouth", Johnny Bahama in the TripTank episode "The Director").
• December 18: Jeffrey Price, American screenwriter and producer (Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Shrek the Third).
• December 21: Michael Horse, American actor (voice of Quanna Parker in The Legend of Calamity Jane, Little Creek's Friend in Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, J.R. in Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa, Carlos Maza in Gargoyles, Sam Rainwater in The Wild Thornberrys episode "Pack of Thornberrys", Leon Strongfeather in the What's New, Scooby-Doo? episode "New Mexico, Old Monster", Holling Longshadow in the Young Justice episode "Beneath", Ubu and Professor Black Wing in the Superman: The Animated Series episode "The Demon Reborn").
• December 23: Judy Strangis, American actress (voice of Groovia in The Roman Holidays, Merilee in Butch Cassidy, Rota Ree in Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch, Pauline in the Donkey Kong segment of Saturday Supercade).
• December 24: Ray Colcord, American composer (The Simpsons episode "Dead Putting Society"), (d. 2016).^[51]

Specific date unknown

• Tom Snyder, American animator, writer and producer (Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, Science Court).
• Yoshiko Miura, Japanese lyricist (wrote the theme song for Megazone 23), (d. 2023).^[52]

Deaths

March

• March 6:
  Storm P., Danish comics artist, animator, illustrator, painter and comedian (Tre små mænd), dies at age 66.^[53]

• October 1: Buddy Clark, American singer (singer and narrator in Melody Time), dies at age 37.^[54][55]

December

• December 25: Leon Schlesinger, American film producer (Warner Bros. Cartoons), dies at age 65.^[56]

See also

• List of anime by release date (1946–1959)

References