Morris Sullivan

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Morris Sullivan
BornDecember 8, 1916
Toluca Lake, California
Other namesMorris F. Sullivan
Occupation(s)Studio executive/Film producer and businessman
Years active1982–1995
Known forSullivan Bluth Studios
SpouseRose Sullivan

Morris Francis Sullivan (December 8, 1916 – August 24, 2008) was an American businessman who co-founded the

animators.[1] Sullivan Bluth Studios employed approximately 400 people at the peak of its success.[1] Under Sullivan's direction, the former animation studio created such films as The Land Before Time and An American Tail.[1][2]

Biography

Early life

Morris F. Sullivan was born in

Seattle, Washington, on December 8, 1916, to parents Frank and Pauline Sullivan.[1] His father, Frank, owned a local lumber company in the Pacific Northwest.[1]

Sullivan received his

La Cañada Flintridge, California, after the ninth of Sullivan's ten children were born in 1954.[1]

Career

Sullivan founded his own financial

firm, in 1960.[1] The company was based in downtown Los Angeles.[1]

Sullivan Bluth Studios

Three of

Van Nuys, California.[1] The new company was struggling financially and looking for a source of financing.[1] According to the Los Angeles Times, Morris Sullivan, who was semi-retired in the early 1980s, was persuaded to join the new company and provide financing by a golf partner.[1]

Bluth and the other animators screened their 1982 animated film, The Secret of NIMH, to persuade Sullivan to join the company. At the end of The Secret of NIMH screening an impressed Sullivan told Bluth and the other animators that, "I'm your guardian angel. I'm going to make this work for you."[1] In a 1989 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Don Bluth said of Morris' early involvement with the company that, "He came along at a time when we were desperate, and he saved us."[1]

Sullivan, who provided financing to the company, which eventually became known as

animation industry, including the National College of Art and Design.[1]

Sullivan Bluth Studios had approximately 400 employees at the peak of its success and produced landmark animated films including The Land Before Time in 1988 and All Dogs Go to Heaven in 1989.[1] However, the Studio struggled after another major investor withdrew financial support, partially due to a string of films which were unsuccessful at the box office.[1] Don Bluth and Gary Goldman, two of the co-founders of the company, left Sullivan Bluth Studios in 1994 to set up the now defunct Fox Animation Studios.[1] With a string of unsuccessful films and the departure of two of its founders, Sullivan Bluth Studios closed in 1995.[1]

Death

Morris Sullivan died on August 24, 2008, at his home in

Toluca Lake, California, of complications from old age. He was 91 years old.[1] Morris was survived by nine of his ten children[2] — David, Kathleen, Patrick, Michael, Kelly, Mary, Tim, Terry and Dan; as well as nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.[1] His wife, Rose, died in 1971, while his daughter, Maureen, died in 1998.[1]

Sullivan's memorial service was held at

North Hollywood.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad Nelson, Valerie J. (September 2, 2008). "Morris F. Sullivan, 91; owner-president of animation studio that made 'Land Before Time'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 24, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d "Morris Sullivan: animation studio president". The Times. London. September 18, 2008. Retrieved September 27, 2008.

External links

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