1953 in animation

Events in 1953 in animation.

Events

January

• January 3: Chuck Jones's Don't Give Up the Sheep premieres, produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons, which marks the debuts of Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog.^[1]

February

• February 5:
  Walt Disney Company, is first released. It marks the debut of Disney's version of Tinker Bell, who will later become one of their mascots.^[2]
• February 28: Chuck Jones' Daffy Duck cartoon Duck Amuck premieres, produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons.^[3]

March

• March 19:
  Tom & Jerry cartoon to win an Oscar.^[5] The animated short receives its official public premiere on 21 March.^[6]
• March 27: Karel Zeman's first animated feature Poklad ptačího ostrova (The Treasure of Bird Island) premieres.^[7]

April

• April 8: Jiří Trnka's Old Czech Legends premieres.^{[citation needed]}
• April 15–29: 1953 Cannes Film Festival:
  • Walt Disney receives a "Legion of Honour" during the opening ceremony.^[8][9]
  • The Romance of Transportation in Canada by Colin Low wins the Short Film Palme d'Or.^[10]
• April 25:
  That's My Pup! premieres, produced by MGM.^[11]

• May 2: Friz Freleng's short Southern Fried Rabbit premieres, produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons, starring Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam.^[12]

July

• July 25: Chuck Jones' Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century premieres, produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons.^[13]

August

• August 8: Chuck Jones' Bully for Bugs premieres, produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons in which Bugs Bunny becomes a bullfighter.^[14]
• August 29:
  Cat-Tails For Two is first released, produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons which marks the debut of Speedy Gonzales.^[15][16]

• September 5:
  Just Ducky premieres, produced by MGM.^[17]
• September 11: Jiří Trnka's Old Czech Legends premieres.^{[citation needed]}
• September 23: The Unicorn in the Garden premieres, a United Productions of America production.^[18]
• September 26: Chuck Jones' Bugs Bunny short Lumber Jack-Rabbit premieres, produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons, a cartoon made in 3D.^[19]

October

• October 3: Chuck Jones' Duck! Rabbit, Duck! premieres, produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons, the third film in the "hunting season" trilogy starring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd.^[20]
• October 10: Winky Dink and You, the first interactive TV series which invites viewers to use a special crayon to draw on the screen, is first broadcast.^[21]
• October 30: Jean Image's Bonjour Paris premieres.^[22]

November

• November 10:
  • Walt Disney Company, is first released, a cartoon about Benjamin Franklin.^[23]
  • Cinemascope.^[24]

• December 17: Ted Parmelee's
  UPA, premieres.^[25]
• December 21: Walter Lantz productions releases Chilly Willy, directed by Paul J. Smith which marks the debut of Chilly Willy the penguin.^[26]

• April 5:
  Queen Beryl and Luna in the Japanese dub of Sailor Moon
  ).
• April 11: Shizuru Otaka, Japanese singer (performed an insert song in .hack//Legend of the Twilight and the theme songs for Hotarubi no Mori e and I'm Gonna Be An Angel!), (d. 2022).^[38]
• April 15: Larry Latham, American storyboard director, animator, film producer and film director (Hanna-Barbera, Disney Television Animation), (d. 2014).^[39]
• April 18:
  Bob & Doug
  ).
• April 25:
  • Ron Clements, American animator, screenwriter, film director, and producer (Walt Disney Animation Studios).
  • Jeffrey Leigh Howard, American animator (
    DisneyToon Studios, Curious George, The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow, Henry & Me), storyboard artist (Kid 'n Play), prop designer (Darkwing Duck) and sheet timer (Dora the Explorer, The Simpsons, King of the Hill), (d. 2022
    ).
• April 27: Linda Young, American actress (voice of Frieza in Dragon Ball Z, Genkai in YuYu Hakusho).
• April 28: Kim Gordon, American musician and member of Sonic Youth (voice of Tulip in the Animals episode "Rats.", herself in The Simpsons episode "Homerpalooza").

May

• May 9:
  Kung Fu Panda franchise, Susan Choi in Spider-Man, Professor Sitre in Cleopatra in Space, Aunt Cathy in the American Dragon: Jake Long episode "Feeding Frenzy", Mrs. Sato in the Big City Greens episode "Rent Control", K3NT in the Legion of Super Heroes
  episode "The Man from the Edge of Tomorrow").
• May 12: Lisa Raggio, American actress (voice of Zarana in G.I. Joe, Exposia Vertov in Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, Eclair in The Tick episode "Tick vs. Europe").
• May 16:
  • Thomas & Friends: The Great Discovery, Patrick and Granddad in Riverdance: The Animated Adventure, himself in The Simpsons episode "Treehouse of Horror XII").^[40]
  • Warhawk in the DC Animated Universe, Draco in Batman vs. Robin, B'wana Beast in the Justice League Unlimited episode "This Little Piggy", Pava in The Wild Thornberrys episode "Pack of Thornberrys", Robotman in the Teen Titans episode "Homecoming", Joe Chill in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "Chill of the Night!").^[41]
• May 18: Alan Kupperberg, American comics artist and animator (Don Bluth), (d. 2015).^[42][43]
• May 24:
  Hey Arnold: The Jungle Movie, Rippen in Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero, Mr. Freeze in Harley Quinn, Cogburn in Big City Greens, Professor Jeffries in Chill Out, Scooby-Doo!, Francis Church in Yes, Virginia, Lucius Needful in the Rick and Morty episode "Something Ricked This Way Comes
  ").
• May 27:
  • Louis Scarborough Jr., American animator and storyboard artist (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, ChalkZone), (d. 2013).^[44]
  • George Chialtas, American animator (Rover Dangerfield, Tom and Jerry: The Movie, The Pagemaster), storyboard artist (Hey Arnold!), sheet timer (The Simpsons, Nickelodeon Animation Studio, Megas XLR, He's a Bully, Charlie Brown, Billy Dilley's Super-Duper Subterranean Summer, Trolls: The Beat Goes On!), lip sync artist (Avatar: The Last Airbender, Dora the Explorer, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power) and director (Nickelodeon Animation Studio).
• May 29:
  • Danny Elfman, American composer, singer and songwriter (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Meet the Robinsons, Frankenweenie, Epic, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, The Grinch, Dumbo, composed the theme songs of The Simpsons, Beetlejuice, Batman: The Animated Series, Family Dog and Dilbert, singing voice of Jack Skellington in The Nightmare Before Christmas).
  • Karla DeVito, American singer and actress (voice of Miranda Wright in Bonkers, Lady Megan, Elizabeth and Princess Sadisa in The Legend of Prince Valiant, Athena in the Phantom 2040 episode "A Boy and His Cat", Cassidy in The New Batman Adventures episode "Torch Song", Woman Soldier in the Road Rovers episode "Storm from the Pacific").

June

• June 1: Tim Bentinck, English actor and writer (voice of Roger Radcliffe in 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure, Conjoined Gnome in Gnomeo & Juliet, Gieve in The Heroic Legend of Arslan).
• June 5: Kathleen Kennedy, American film producer (Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Land Before Time, Tiny Toon Adventures, A Wish for Wings That Work, Fievel's American Tails, The Adventures of Tintin).
• June 12: Michael Donovan, Canadian voice actor (voice of Eggplant Wizard in Captain N: The Game Master, Sir Darren in King Arthur and the Knights of Justice, Sabretooth in X-Men: Evolution, X in Mega Man, El Rey in ¡Mucha Lucha!, Guile and Zangief in Street Fighter, Dojo Kanojo Cho in Xiaolin Chronicles, Zoukien Mato in Fate/Zero, Suikotsu in Inuyasha, Ryoga Hibiki in Ranma ½).
• June 13: Tim Allen, American actor and comedian (voice of Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story franchise).
• June 15: Renée Victor, American actress (voice of Abuelita in Coco).
• June 17: John H. Williams, American film producer (Shrek, Vanguard Animation).
• June 22: Cyndi Lauper, American musician and actress (voice of Pidge in the Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child episode "The Frog Prince", herself in The Simpsons episode "Wild Barts Can't Be Broken" and The Backyardigans episode "International Super Spy").
• June 26: Robert Davi, American actor (voice of Mike Morgan / Magma in the Batman Beyond episode "Heroes").
• June 27: Nizo Yamamoto, Japanese art director (Studio Ghibli, The Castle of Cagliostro, Joseph: King of Dreams, Highlander: The Search for Vengeance, Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time), (d. 2023).^[45]

July

• July 11: Mindy Sterling, American actress (voice of Lin Beifong in The Legend of Korra, Ms. Endive in Chowder, Aunt Mellie in Higglytown Heroes, Mrs. Sneedly in The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants, Enid Clinton in the Justice League Unlimited episode "The Once and Future Thing").^[46]
• July 16: Philece Sampler, American actress (voice of Mimi Tachikawa in the Digimon franchise, Betty Ross in The Incredible Hulk, Kelly in Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Binka in Shinzo, Makimachi Misao in Rurouni Kenshin, Lester Goldberg in Stanley, Silvia in Viewtiful Joe, Beauty in Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, Jimera in Duel Masters, Hiyori Tamura in Lucky Star, Toph Beifong in The Legend of Korra, Sabine Cheng and Ms. Mendeleiev in Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, Granny and Mother Goose in Goldie & Bear, Rumy, Hermit Crab and Sea Turtle in Treehouse Detectives, Fantine and Cosette in the Duckman episode "Psyche", Francine in the All Grown Up! episode "Fools Rush In", Mildred Scalise in The Loud House episode "Recipe for Disaster"), (d. 2021).^{[47][48][49][50]}
• July 29:
  Escape from Pearl Bailey", The Cleveland Show episode "Turkey Pot Die", the BoJack Horseman episode "Hooray! Todd Episode!", Zoolander: Super Model, and the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?
  episode "A Fashion Nightmare!").
• July 31: Tōru Furuya, Japanese actor (voice of Yamcha in the Dragon Ball franchise, Sabo in One Piece, Tuxedo Mask in Sailor Moon, Amuro Ray in the Gundam franchise).

August

• August 1: Mark Dailey, American-born Canadian actor, television journalist and announcer (voice of Crag in The Ripping Friends, Rokusho, Roks and Eddie in Medabots, Brad Best in Beyblade, Omega Steed in the Spliced episode "Stupid Means Never Having To Say I'm Sorry"), (d. 2010).^[51]
• August 2:
  Eight Misbehavin
  ").
• August 4: Richard White, American actor and opera singer (voice of Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, House of Mouse, and Once Upon a Studio).
• August 8:
  • Jim Jinkins, American animator (creator of Doug, PB&J Otter, and Pinky Dinky Doo, co-creator of Allegra's Window, JoJo's Circus, and Stanley).
  • Don Most, American actor and singer (voice of Ralph Malph in The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang, Eric in Dungeons & Dragons, Stiles in Teen Wolf, himself in the Family Guy episode "It Takes a Village Idiot, and I Married One").
• August 10:
  • The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), (d. 1995).^[52]
  • Brian Scully, American television writer and producer (The Simpsons, Family Guy).
• August 14: James Horner, American composer and conductor (An American Tail, The Land Before Time, An American Tail: Fievel Goes West, Once Upon a Forest, We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story, The Pagemaster, and Balto), (d. 2015).^[53][54][55]
• August 16: Kathie Lee Gifford, American actress (voice of Echidna in Hercules, Mail Carrier Hero in Higglytown Heroes).^[56]
• August 27: Peter Stormare, Swedish actor (voice of Count Dracula in The Batman vs. Dracula, Mr. Freeze in Justice League Action, Gunther in The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature, Godbrand in Castlevania, Rufus in Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero, Fibulon in Teen Titans Go!, Wulfric von Rydingsvard in Big Top Scooby-Doo!, Lord Dregg in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Prometheus Black and Meltdown in Transformers: Animated, King Xarion in the Ben 10: Ultimate Alien episode "Viktor: The Spoils", Whiplash in the Phineas and Ferb episode "Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel").
• August 28: Bob Tzudiker, American film writer (Walt Disney Animation Studios, Anastasia).
• August 29:
  • Doña Croll, British actress (voice of Leopard in Tinga Tinga Tales).
  • Dee Dee Rescher, American actress (voice of Miss Skullnick in Star vs. the Forces of Evil, Ms. Ribble in Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, Sister Thornley in Time Squad).
• August 30: Robin Harris, American comedian and actor (Bebe's Kids), (d. 1990).^[57]

September

• September 7:
  How the Toys Saved Christmas, Lucky and Zorba
  ).
• September 10:
  Stories from My Childhood episode "Beauty and the Beast", singing voice of Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit
  ).
• September 20: Doug Preis, American actor (voice of Phil Funnie, Chalky Studebaker, Willie White, Walter "Skunky Beaumont", Mr. Bluff, and Vice Principal Lamar Bone in Doug, Alluro and Lynx-O in ThunderCats, Jovny the Stork in commercials for Vlasic Pickles).

October

• October 5: Bever-Leigh Banfield, American actress (voice of the Mayor of Bedrock in The Flintstone Kids, Dr. Simon in Pound Puppies, Ms. Wepman in the Static Shock episode "The New Kid", Denise Lund in the Bionic Six episode "Back to the Past").
• October 6: Denis M. Hannigan, American music editor (Rugrats) and composer (Rugrats, Beakman's World, Recess, CatDog, Welcome to Eltingville).
• October 9: Tony Shalhoub, American actor (voice of Luigi in the Cars franchise, Fred in Rumble, Jack Jeebs in Men in Black: The Series, Zopilote in Elena of Avalor, Marvin in Central Park).
• October 13:
  Misae Ikari in Paranoia Agent, Bell in Haré+Guu, Mikami Kuramitsu in Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki, Derrida in Ergo Proxy, Kiseno Urano in In This Corner of The World, Foxtail and Ginger in OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes, VT in the Cowboy Bebop episode "Heavy Metal Queen", additional voices in Lensman: Power of The Lens
  ).
• October 15: Larry Miller, American comedian and actor (voice of XR in Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, Pointy-Haired Boss in Dilbert, Fred Nickle in The Ant Bully, Buzzwell in Bee Movie, Vlad Chocool in Foodfight!, Lynceus in Hercules).
• October 27:
  • Peter Firth, English actor (voice of Red in The Rescuers Down Under).
  • Robert Picardo, American actor (voice of Puddingtown in Bravest Warriors, Milton in Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey, Amazo in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, Pfish in What a Cartoon!, Two-Face in the Justice League Action episode "Double Cross", Professor Reddschift in the Buzz Lightyear of Star Command episode "First Missions").
• October 28: Keith Scott, Australian actor and animation historian (continued voice of Bullwinkle J. Moose).

November

• November 4:
  Morph, co-founder of Aardman Animations
  ).
• November 7:
  Spumco
  ).
• November 8: John Musker, American animator, film director, screenwriter and film producer (Walt Disney Animation Studios).
• November 18:
  • Kevin Nealon, American comedian and actor (voice of Mayor Dewey in Eight Crazy Nights, Glenn Martin in Glenn Martin, DDS, Irwin Winslow in The Goode Family episode "Public Disturbance", I.O.C. Member in the American Dad! episode "Return of the Bling", Gary Stein in the Mike Tyson Mysteries episode "The Stein Way", himself in the Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist episode "Earring" and the Family Guy episode "The Movement").
  • Kath Soucie, American voice actress (voice of Fifi La Fume, Li'l Sneezer and Margot Mallard in Tiny Toon Adventures, Linka in Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Phil, Lil and Betty DeVille in Rugrats, Morgana Macawber in Darkwing Duck, Sally Acorn in Sonic the Hedgehog, Lola Bunny in the Looney Tunes franchise, Princess What's-Her-Name in Earthworm Jim, Dexter's Mom in Dexter's Laboratory, Daisy Duck in Quack Pack, Miriam Pataki in Hey Arnold!, Cadpig and Rolly in 101 Dalmatians: The Series, Cissy Rooney and Mrs. Little in Pepper Ann, Cubert Fransworth in Futurama, Maddie Fenton in Danny Phantom, Tuffy in the Tom and Jerry franchise).
  • Alan Moore, English author (voiced himself in The Simpsons episode "Husbands and Knives").^[58]
• November 19: Robert Beltran, American actor (voice of Chief Massasoit in Free Birds, Maurice Bodaway in the Young Justice episode "Beneath", Chakotay in the Star Trek: Prodigy episode "Kobayashi").

• November 21: Larry Hochman, American orchestrator and composer (Wonder Pets!).

• November 23:
  • Ric Heitzman, American actor, storyboard artist (ChalkZone) and director (The PJs).
  • George DelHoyo, Uruguayan-American actor (voice of Señor Flan in Rango, Doctor Fate in the Superman: The Animated Series episode "The Hand of Fate", Captain Zane in the Batman Beyond episode "Final Cut").
• November 27:
  • Curtis Armstrong, American actor and singer (voice of Dan in Dan Vs., Snot Lonstein in American Dad!, Mr. Moleguaco in The Emperor's New School, Robot Default in Robot and Monster, Mr. Bugspit in The Buzz on Maggie, Super Amazing Bouncy Ball in Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero, Mr. Gurdle in The Loud House, Mr. Crummyham in Monsters at Work, Maru in Planes: Fire & Rescue, Constable Lumph in the Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure episode "The Eye of Pincosta", Basil in the It's Pony episode "The Giving Chair", Candy Van Man in the TripTank episode "Candy Van Finger Bang").
  • Richard Stone, American composer (Warner Bros. Animation), (d. 2001).^[59]
• November 28: Pamela Hayden, American actress (voice of Milhouse Van Houten, Jimbo Jones, and other various characters in The Simpsons, Douglas McNoggin in Lloyd in Space, Connie in Hey Arnold!, Dawn and Trudy in Pinky and the Brain, Steve and Lance the Pants in Recess, Geena in The New Batman Adventures episode "Old Wounds", Rita in the Bonkers episode "Love Struck").

December

• December 6:
  • Tom Hulce, American actor and producer (voice of Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Hunchback of Notre Dame II, and Once Upon a Studio).
  • Kin Shriner, American actor (voice of Green Arrow in Justice League Unlimited).
• December 7:
  Ruby-Spears Enterprises, Marvel Productions, Bionic Six, Spiral Zone, Garbage Pail Kids, Superman, Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Tiny Toon Adventures, Conan the Adventurer, Batman: The Animated Series, Stunt Dawgs, Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa, G.I. Joe Extreme
  ).
• December 8:
  • Kim Basinger, American actress (portrayed and voiced Holli Would in Cool World, voiced herself in The Simpsons episode "When You Dish Upon a Star").
  • Roy Firestone, American sports commentator and journalist (voice of Announcer in Daffy Duck's Quackbusters, Fob Piotrowski in the Pepper Ann episode "P.A.'s Pop Fly", himself in The Simpsons episode "Bart Star", additional voices in Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series).
• December 12: Marc Graue, American voice actor (voice of Bok Choi in
  Arthur's Missing Pal, Xin Fu in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen and Wholesaler in The Lego Story, Mad Hatter in Ever After High, Captain Black John Licorice in the Codename: Kids Next Door episode "Operation L.I.C.O.R.I.C.E.", Anchorman in the Random! Cartoons episode "Super John Doe Junior", Magical River in the Motown Magic episode "The Tracks of My Tears") and recording engineer (What a Cartoon!
  ).
• December 13:
  • Gail Matthius, American actress and comedian (voice of Shirley the Loon in Tiny Toon Adventures, Martha Sven-Generic in Bobby's World, Miss Molly Coddle in Bump in the Night, Lana and Candie Chipmunk in Animaniacs, Mrs. Roswell in the Detention episode "Boys 'n the Parenthood").
  • Ruben A. Aquino, Japanese-born Filipino-American animator (Walt Disney Animation Studios).
• December 15: J. M. DeMatteis, American writer (Warner Bros. Animation, The Real Ghostbusters, Spider-Man).^[60]
• December 16:
  • Puppy in My Pocket: Adventures in Pocketville, additional voices in Antz and Bling) and television writer (Digimon: Digital Monsters
    ).
  • Babi Floyd, American actor and singer (voice of Sock and Vowells Announcer in the
    Nick on CBS), (d. 2013
    ).
• December 31: James Remar, American actor (voice of Vilgax in Ben 10: Alien Force and Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, Two-Face in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Black Mask in The Batman, Tonraq in The Legend of Korra, Hawkman in Justice League Unlimited).