FOOFUR

 

FOOFUR
(NBC, September 13, 1986-December 5, 1987)
 
Hanna-Barbera Productions, SEPP International S.A.
 
 

MAIN CAST:

Frank Welker – Foofur, Chucky (some episodes)

Christina Lange – Rocki

Dick Gautier – Louis

Susan Tolsky – Annabell

Pat Carroll – Hazel

Jonathan Schmock – Fritz-Carlos

Eugene Williams – Fencer

Susan Blu – Dolly

Susan Silo – Mrs. Amelia Escrow

Don Messick – Pepe

Chick Vennera – Sammy

Peter Cullen – Baby, Vinnie

Allan Melvin – Chucky

David Doyle – Mel

Michael Bell – Harvey

William Callaway – Burtrand

 
 

            Foofur was the third collaboration between Freddy Monnickendam and Hanna-Barbara after The Snorks. It was part of his attempt to duplicate the success of The Smurfs while maintaining a more prominent ownership stake in the merchandizing bonanza to follow.

Foofur with his gang: Fencer, Louis, Rocki, Fritz-Carlos, Annabell & Hazel.

            Created by Phil Mendez, the series centered on the titular Foofur (Frank Welker), a blue bloodhound who inhabited his late master’s mansion at 32 Maple Street in the town of Willowby. Living with him was a ragtag band of strays, including his niece Rocki (Christina Lange); street-smart bulldog Louis (Dick Gautier); sensitive and near-sighted Old English Sheepdog Annabell (Susan Tolsky), who had feelings for Louis; hoity toity cocker spaniel Hazel (Pat Carroll) and her French, mustachioed Miniature Schnauzer husband Fritz-Carlos (Jonathan Schmock); and martial arts enthusiast cat Fencer (Eugene Williams), who spoke in jive and wore a samurai headband. Additionally, three Rat Brothers claiming “squatters rights” were also on hand: Sammy (Chick Vennera), Baby (Peter Cullen) and Chucky (Allan Melvin mostly, sometimes Welker). They generally took delight in tormenting Fencer, however were not above helping out Foofur and the gang when it benefitted them in some way.

Escrow and a client being run off by a ghost trick.

            The gang’s chief antagonist was executor of the estate Mrs. Amelia Escrow (Susan Silo), whose attempts to sell the property were always foiled by Foofur and company without her knowledge. Only her chihuahua Pepe (Don Messick) knew about the residents and always got his comeuppance when he tried to expose them. Additionally, they were harassed by a pair of dogcatchers, Mel (David Doyle) and Harvey (Michael Bell); a local gang of cats led by Vinnie (Cullen); and on a personal level for Foofur, arrogant Afghan Hound Burtrand (William Callaway) constantly making a play for his girlfriend, basset hound Dolly (Susan Blu).

The Rat Brothers take Fencer for a ride.

            Foofur debuted on NBC on September 13, 1986. As the third SEPP International/Hanna-Barbera series on the network, it was represented in a special dedication from SEPP for NBC’s 60^th anniversary. It ran for two seasons of episodes comprised mostly of two segments, with a few full half-hours interspersed here and there. The series was written by Mark Young, Mark Cassutt, Marion Wells, Reed Robbins, Christina Adams, John Bonaccorsi, Tony Marino, David Schwartz, Anthony Adams, Barry E. Blitzer, Samantha Clemens, Mark Edward Edens, Gary Greenfield, Kristina Luckey and Dennis Marks. Young served as story editor for the first season and was joined by Arthur Alsberg and Don Nelson for the second. The characters for the first season were designed by Mendez with Mark Christiansen, Maurice Hunt and Frank Rocco, with Franco Christofani, Noreen Beasley, Leonard E. Johnson, Valerio Ventura and Jesus Rodriguez joining Christensen and Hunt for the second. Animation was handled by Wang Film Productions, Inc. and their subsidiary Cuckoo’s Nest Studios in the first season, with Toei Animation taking over for the second. These changes resulted in the characters’ models being slightly tweaked; most notably Rocki gaining a lighter fur color. The series’ music was composed by Hoyt Curtin.

Foofur featured in the NBC comic ad.

            Foofur received a tremendous marketing push; although mostly overseas where Monnickendam had connections. Among the merchandising blitz was a 6-issue comic series published by Marvel Comics through their all-ages Star Comics imprint; a plush of Foofur by Dakin, Inc. (a subsidiary of Applause, Inc.); figurines found only in Spain and Germany; a vinyl sticker playset from Selecta; sewing quilt fabric; a mug by Kortagaas Merch; plastic character cups; puzzles by Milton Bradley; collectible character standees in Bimbo cupcakes; a vinyl sticker album from Panini; picture storybook adaptations of various episodes; and more. A number of episodes were released individually and as part of VHS compilations and collections through Celebrity Home Entertainment’s “Just for Kids” label and Video Peques in Spanish territories. Foofur has also seen some DVD releases in foreign markets. As for a domestic DVD release or streaming? It appears that unlike the other Hanna-Barbera/SEPP collaborations, Mendez maintained the rights to the series and has yet to grant them to any company.

 
 

EPISODE GUIDE:

Season 1:

“A Little off the Top / A Clean Sweep” (9/13/86) – Helping Fritz get over his hair loss is complicated by half his mustache being shaved off. / While the dogs clean the house, dogcatchers come to clean them out for Mrs. Escrow.

 

“A Moving Experience” (9/20/86) – While helping a pregnant dog give birth, the gang must keep movers from absconding with their house due to an address mix up.

 

“Dogstyles of the Rich & Famous” (9/27/86) – Mrs. Escrow stays in the house while the paint in hers dries, leading the dogs to a fancy mansion where a burglary is in progress.

 

“Foofur Falls in Love” (10/4/86) – A basset hound turns Foofur’s head, but he has some competition for her affection.

 

“The Last Resort / Thicker than Water” (10/11/86) – Rocki befriends an obedience school runaway. / Foofur is prepared to donate blood to Fencer when Foofur believes he was injured after being angrily dismissed for getting Dolly’s collar stuck on himself.

 

“Hot Over the Collar / A-Job Hunting We Will Go” (10/18/86) – Mel and Harvey set up a phony dog show to trap the dogs. / Pepe makes the dogs work odd jobs to earn the $100 to pay Mrs. Escrow’s house tax before they’re all kicked out.

 

“A Royal Pain / Nothing to Sneeze At” (10/25/86) – Fencer attempts to find new homes for a group of cats that were tossed out of theirs. / Fencer catches a cold after the dogs give him a bath.

 

“Country Club Chaos / You Dirty Rat” (11/1/86) – Foofur, Rocki, Fencer and Dolly attempt to save a fox cub from a group of hunters. / Foofur kicks the Rat Brothers out of the house and they go to a shipyard rat for help.

 

“This Little Piggy’s on TV / Fencer’s Freaky Friday” (11/8/86) – The dogs try to help a pig reconnect with his now-famous girlfriend. / Superstitious twins decide to go on a treasure hunt on Friday the 13^th.

 

“Legal Beagles / Bon Voyage Rocki” (11/15/86) – A con artist’s dog fakes an injury and threatens to sue Mrs. Escrow. / Rocki is faced with a choice: stay with Foofur or go out to see with her father.

 

“Russian Through New York / Fritz-Carlos Bombs Out” (11/22/86) – A guided tour turns into protection duty when the dogs must protect a Russian dog from a pair of thieves. / Hazel’s old boyfriend comes to visit, making Fritz very jealous.

 

“New Tricks” (11/29/86) – Rocki is kidnapped to perform her tricks in a circus act.

 

“Mad Dogs and Englishmen” (12/6/86) – Louis, Foofur and Fencer head to London to rescue Annabell from an English spy.

 

Season 2:

“Pepe’s Pet Peeve / Clothes Make the Dog” (9/3/87) – Pepe recruits help to remove a dog named Killer from Mrs. Escrow’s house. / Pepe asks Foofur for help in winning the heart of a poodle from the dog show.

 

“Boot Camp Blues / My Pharaoh Lady” (9/10/87) – Fritz tries to reenlist for the Foreign Legion but instead ends up in the Army with Foofur and Louis. / Fencer’s interest in an archaeologist’s cat leads him to learn he may be related to a mummified cat.

 

“Winging It / Alone at Last, Darling” (9/17/87) - / Foofur helps Fritz and Hazel get onto a cruise.

 

“The Dog’s Meow / What Price Fleadom?” (10/3/87) – Louis is hypnotized into believing he’s a cat. / Circus fleas end up moving into Hazel’s fur.

 

“Just Bumming Around / Friend Foofur’s Foul Up” (10/10/87) – Rocki is grounded when she runs away with Irma’s pups. / Foofur and a lookalike friend trade places with Burt knowing about the switch.

 

“Fencer Finds a Family / Tooth or Consequences” (10/17/87) – A prank causes Fencer to decide to leave the group. / Foofur is too afraid of going to the dentist to get his toothache dealt with.

 

“Just Like Magic / The Nose Knows” (10/24/87) – A Magician chooses to practice at the house just as the Rat Brothers convince Fencer he’s on his last life. / Foofur teaches Rocki how to track.

 

“Louis Sees the Light / Weekend in the Condo” (10/31/87) – Louis must keep his seeing-eye dog friend safe from Mel and Harvey. / The dogs must foil an attempted condo burglary.

 

“Puppy Love / Annabell Goes Punk” (11/7/87) – Rocki gets a crush on the star of some dog food ads, but Foofur has his doubts about him. / A makeover causes Annabell to start hanging out with a new group of friends.

 

“Rocki’s Big Fib / Bye, Bye, Birdie” (11/14/87) – Foofur thinks Rocki is lying about a white alligator in the sewers while the Rat Brothers are lying to get out of paying a cheese tax. / The dogs think Fencer swallowed Mrs. Escrow’s canary.

 

“Fencer Gets Soul / You Bet Your Life” (11/21/87) – Fencer plans to join a singing group in New Orleans. / A crooked dog gets Hazel addicted to rat race games.

 

“Annabell Gets Framed / Scary Harry” (11/28/87) – Accidentally wearing Mrs. Escrow’s glasses shows that Annabell needs some of her own. / Rocki undergoes an initiation to join a club by staying overnight in a condemned dog pount.

 

“Look Homeward, Foofur” (12/5/87) – Foofur reminisces about his past and how he met his friends.

ROAD ROVERS

 

ROAD ROVERS

(The WB, September 7, 1996-February 22, 1997)

 

Warner Bros. Television Animation

 
 
MAIN CAST:
Jess Harnell – Hunter
Tress MacNeille – Colleen, various
Jeff Bennett – Blitz
Kevin Michael Richardson – Exile, Confuseus
Frank Welker – Shag, Muzzle, President Bill Clinton, various
Joseph Campanella – Professor William F. Shepherd/The Master
 

            Road Rovers was a comedy/action-adventure series created by Tom Ruegger and Jeff Gordon, and developed by them along with Bob Doucette, Mark Seidenberg, Hyunsook Cho, Joey Banaszkiewicz, Bob Lizarraga, Joe Denton, Herb Moore, Brian Chin, Ron Roesch, Rhoydon Shishido, Bobbie Page, John Dubiel, Bob Foster and Scott Jeralds. The series began with the sinister General Parvo (Jim Cummings) kidnapping the beloved dog of scientist Professor William F. Shepherd (Joseph Campanella) to exchange for his experimental transdogmafier technology. However, that turned out to be a trap and Shepherd was given a bomb instead. A year later, Parvo began using the transdogmafier to mutate common household dogs into mutant soldiers to carry out his bidding and conquer the world (it would eventually be revealed that Parvo himself was actually a mutated housecat that ended up with a more human-looking form). Shepherd, who survived the blast, had spent that year preparing to counter Parvo’s eventual plans.

The Road Rovers: Muzzle, Shag, Hunter, Colleen, Blitz and Exile.

            From his secret underground lab that resembled a series of fire hydrants, Shepherd summoned five dogs from around the world that contained the qualities he was looking for. He turned them into “cano-sapiens” with his own refined transdogmafier, giving them human bodies and the ability to speak while maintaining their dog heads, tails and fur. They were Hunter (inspired and named after Ruegger’s dog, voiced by Jess Harnell), a Golden Retriever mix from the United States who possessed super speed, unparalleled optimism and loyalty, a sense of humor and a level-headedness that made him a good leader (although he was often a little dense); Colleen (Tress MacNeille), a Rough Collie from the United Kingdom who was the no-nonsense team coordinator, extremely athletic and a skilled martial artist; Blitz (Jeff Bennett), a Doberman Pinscher from Germany that could be selfish, immature, spiteful, faint-heated and temperamental, and possessed powerful claws and jaws; Exilo Michalovitch Sanhusky, aka Exile (Kevin Michael Richardson), a Siberian Husky from Siberia that tended to mix up words when speaking English and possessed super strength and heat, ice and night vision; and Shag (Frank Welker), an Old English Sheepdog from Switzerland that only transformed part of the way, possessed super strength and the ability to store a lot of things in his fur, and was also very cowardly. Along with their suits of armor, the Rovers utilized dog-themed gadgetry and vehicles in their efforts to save the world. Additionally, there was a team of Space Rovers who protected the cosmos around Earth in a ship that resembled a dog with a frisbee, captained by Persia (Easton), an Afghan Hound. Their suits, and the fact the frisbee section could separate, was a direct reference to Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Professor Shepherd as The Master.

        A sixth dog arrived with Hunter: a Rottweiler named Muzzle (Welker). Muzzle was actually Shepherd’s dog Scout after a failed mutation from Parvo turned him aggressive sometimes, necessitating his usually being restrained in a straightjacket and muzzle, but otherwise was a shy sweetheart. While Muzzle remained with Shepherd, the other Rovers would revert to their normal dog forms in their downtime and were given homes with various world leaders. Hunter lived with American President Bill Clinton (Welker); Colleen lived with British Prime Minister John Major and his wife, Norma (Easton); Blitz with German chancellor Helmut Kohl; Exile with Russian President Boris Yeltsin (Maurice LaMarche); and President of the Swiss Confederation Arnold Koller. There were times that the Rovers, in their civilian guises, had to intervene with their masters’ governances to prevent trouble.

General Parvo and The Groomer.

            Along with Parvo, the Rovers faced a few recurring threats. The Groomer (Sheena Easton) was Parvo’s right-hand henchwoman that tried to branch out on her own by creating a mutated cat army. Captain Zachary Storm (Larry Drake) was a disgraced military man who constantly sought to get revenge on the country he felt wronged him. Professor Eugene Atwater (Steve Franken) was a scientist working with bugs under financing from Parvo, and after an incident with his bugs being mutated and seeking nuclear winter, he became unhinged and started actively working towards their world dominance.

Parvo's mutates.

            Road Rovers debuted as part of Kids’ WB on September 7, 1996. The series was written by Ruegger with Seidenberg, Chin, Dubois, John Ludin, Earl Kress, and Jeff Kwitny, with Seidenberg serving as story editor. The theme, which outlined the concept through lyrics by Ruegger, was composed by Richard Stone while the rest of the music was done by Gordon Goodwin and Don Harper. Animation duties were handled by Studio Junio, who also did the intro directed by Doucette, Jade Animation and Akom Production Company. The end credits featured either a quote from literature or pop culture, or a random joke. For the first two episodes, they played over the Rovers’ logo. For the remainder of the series, they played over a loop of Muzzle excitedly hopping while looking at the audience.

International puppies of freedom.

            Despite the involvement of Ruegger, who had a hand in Kids’ WB’s other hit comedy shows, as well as the involvement of the principle cast of some of those shows (particularly Harnell and MacNeille, with guest voices from co-stars LaMarche—including a vocal cameo as The Brain from Pinky and the Brain—and Rob Paulsen), Road Rovers only lasted 13 episodes before it was cancelled. No reason has been given for the short run, as some have claimed it even outperformed Superman: The Animated Series at one point in the ratings. However, there have been theories that it may have had to do with a lawsuit (US CD California CV 96-7578-GHK) filed against Warner Bros. by Bruce Blumenfeld claiming it was similar to his idea “Wing Puppies”. Reruns later ran on Cartoon Network between 1998 and 2000, and after nearly two decades the complete series was released to DVD in 2015 by Warner Archive. Episodes were also made available for digital purchase on Amazon Prime, Google Play, iTunes and YouTube.
  
 
 
EPISODE GUIDE:
“Let’s Hit the Road” (9/7/96) – Prof. Shepherd creates the Road Rovers to stop General Parvo and his mutant dogs’ evil schemes.
 
“Storm from the Pacific” (9/14/96) – The Rovers go to an island to stop a disgraced captain from using a laser-armed satellite as part of his revenge against the United States.
 
“A Hair of the Dog that Bit You” (9/21/96) – The Rovers head to London to investigate the disappearance of Royal Family members and rumors of werewolves lurking about.
 
“Where Rovers Dare” (10/12/96) – The Rovers seek to get back a stolen scepter to stop a war between neighboring countries.
 
“Let Sleeping Dogs Lie” (10/26/96) – Tracking some ninjas leads the Rovers to General Parvo’s plan to resurrect a T-Rex.
 
“The Dog Who Knew Too Much” (11/2/96) – The Rovers protect the star witness in a mob trial: the pet dog of a kidnapped victim.
 
“Hunter’s Heroes” (11/9/96) – The Rovers mount a rescue operation to free kidnapped dogs from Parvo’s prison before they’re mutated and distributed around the world.
 
“Dawn of the Groomer” (11/16/96) – The Groomer mutates cats in an attempt to create her own army.
 
“Still a Few Bugs in the System” (11/23/96) – Giant bugs created by Parvo plan to cause a nuclear winter since they know only they will survive it.
 
“Reigning Cats and Dogs” (2/1/97) – Parvo is accidentally turned into a housecat and sent back in time to stop the Rovers from being created
 
“Gold and Retrievers” (2/8/97) – The Rovers investigate a sudden flood of gold into the world’s markets.
 
“Take Me to Your Leader” (2/15/97) – Captain Storm returns with new alien accomplices whose mind-control ray pushes world leaders to declare nuclear war.
 
“A Day in the Life” (2/22/97) – Just an ordinary day in the life of the Rovers: freeing hostages, attending a press conference, battling villains, drinking from the toilet…

IN REMEMBRANCE: 2021

            Our annual final round-up of those we lost that provided us with some of the many hours of entertainment on Saturday mornings. Because many of these people aren’t household names, we’re only finding out about and getting to honor them now. For others, this is our second and final farewell. See anyone we missed? Let us know.

 Here are the Saturday morning all-stars we lost in the year 2021:

Daniel de la Vega (January 3) – Animator and director. He worked on “The Mini-Munsters” for The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie, Emergency +4, Laff-A-Lympics, Fangface, Yogi’s Space Race, Challenge of the Superfriends, The New Shmoo, Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show, Casper and the Angels, The World’s Greatest SuperFriends, ABC Weekend Specials, Heathcliff (1980), The Flintstones Comedy Show, The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang, The New Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Show, The Smurfs, The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo, Tiny Toon Adventures, The Pirates of Dark Water, The Addams Family (1992), Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa, Gargoyles, Timon & Pumbaa, Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series, Jungle Cubs, Pepper Ann, 101 Dalmatians: The Series, Mad Jack the Pirate, Hercules: The Animated Series, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command and Tutenstein.

 

Tanya Roberts (January 4) – The former Bond girl was primarily an on-screen actor, but she did lend her voice as an author in an episode of Fillmore!

 

Val Bettin (January 7) – Actor. Provided the voice of the Sultan in Disney’s Aladdin franchise and Hamed in an episode of the Aladdin series; Sarks in an episode of Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series; Egon Pax in an episode of Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles; Sandford I. Paper in an episode of Pepper Ann; and King Tivius in an episode of Hercules: The Animated Series.

 

Peter Greenwood (January 7) – Special effects technician, researcher, designer, voice actor and media consultant. He began at Hanna-Barbera Australia at a young age, including a stint as a cel painter on Popeye and Son. He voiced Sword Warrior and Mace Warrior in episodes of BeelteBorgs, Wolfgang Amadeus griller in an episode of Power Rangers Turbo and Aquafiend in an episode of Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue.

 

Tommy Lasorda (January 7) – Baseball manager and sometimes actor. He provided additional voices for an episode of Pink Panther and Sons.

 

Marion Ramsey (January 7) – Actor. Best known as Officer Hooks from the Police Academy series, she played the recurring role of D.I. Holler in The Addams Family (1992).

 

Brad Venable (January 7) – Actor. Voiced the referee and Park in episodes of Beyblade Burst and a monkey, a doorman and Thor in episodes of Rainbow Butterfly Unicorn Kitty.

 

Peter Mark Richman (January 14) – Actor. Played The Pharaoh on Electra Woman and Dyna Girl; Charles Baxter in an episode of Batman: The Animated Series; an aged Peter Parker/Spider-Man and provided additional voices in episodes of Spider-Man: The Animated Series; Abin Sur and a Guardian of the Universe in an episode of Superman: The Animated Series; and Winchell in an episode of Batman Beyond.

 

Dale Baer (January 15) – Animator. Served as a story director for The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang, Laverne & Shirley in the Army and The Smurfs, a storyboard artist on an episode of Mother Goose and Grimm and Animaniacs, and a prop designer for two episodes of Histeria!

 

Jim MacGeorge (January 16) – Actor and comedian. He reprised his role as Oliver Hardy from Hanna-Barbera’s earlier animated series for The New Scooby-Doo Movies as well as additional voices, voiced Wimper in Clue Club, Crazy Claws in The Kwicky Koala Show, Bort in an episode of The Mighty Orbots, and Captain Horatio Huffenpuff in Beany and Cecil (1988). He also provided voices for The Funky Phantom, Yogi’s Gang, Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels, Yogi’s Space Race, The New Fred and Barney Show, Richie Rich, Foofur and The Smurfs.

 

Mark Wilson (January 19) – Magician, author and producer. Starred in and produced The Magic Land of Allakazam alongside his wife and one of his sons, which established him as one of the first television magicians and gave credibility to magic as televised entertainment, as well as inspired legions of future magicians.

 

Mira Furlan (January 20) – Actor. Best known for her role in Babylon 5, she also lent her voice as Silver Sable in episodes of Spider-Man: The Animated Series.

 

Hank Aaron (January 22) – Baseball’s all-time home run king. Appeared on an episode of Captain Kangaroo.

 

Ron Campbell (January 22) – Artist and animator. Worked on The Beatles, Cool McCool, Moby Dick and the Mighty Mightor, The Adventures of Gulliver, Winky Dink and You!, Harlem Globe Trotters, The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan, Sealab 2020, The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie, The New Scooby-Doo Movies, Inch High Private Eye, Goober and the Ghost Chasers, Laff-A-Lympics, Sesame Street, Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels, Yogi’s Space Race, Galaxy Goof-Ups, Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show, Heathcliff (1980), Space Stars, The Smurfs, ABC Weekend Specials, The Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Puppy Hour, Rubik the Amazing Cube, Saturday Supercade, The Dukes, Pac-Man, Snorks, CBS Storybreak, Yogi’s Treasure Hunt, Camp Candy, Tiny Toon Adventures, Bobby’s World, The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Goof Troop, Darkwing Duck, Dumb and Dumber: The Series, Men in Black: The Series and Stuart Little: The Animated Series.

 

Marty Brill (January 23) – Comedian, writer, actor and musician. Appeared on an episode of Captain Kangaroo.

 

Larry King (January 23) – Television and radio host, who was often featured in and parodied through other media. Among his many appearances outside of his own programs he appeared as himself in two episodes of Sesame Street.

 

Cloris Leachman (January 26) – Actor. Best known from stage and screen, she branched out into voice acting in her later career including playing Granny Goodness in Justice League Action and Hool in Elena of Avalor.

 

Virgil Sanico (January 26) – Animator. Worked as a rough inbetweener on an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants.

 

Walker Boone (January 29) – Actor. Starred as Mario in The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World

 

Allan Burns (January 30) – Writer. He worked on The Bullwinkle Show and George of the Jungle, and co-created the sitcom The Munsters which was adapted for animation as an episode of The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie. He also created the Cap’n Crunch character for Quaker Oats.

 

Dustin Diamond (February 1) – Actor. Starred as nerdy genius Samuel “Screech” Powers in all three original Saved by the Bell shows, its two spin-off movies, and the preceding Good Morning Miss Bliss. He was the only member of the original cast to do so.

 

Ángel Izquierdo (February 1) – Animator. Worked on Yogi’s Space Race, Jana of the Jungle, The Super Globetrotters and The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show.

 

Zitto Kazann (February 5) – Actor. Appeared as Kane on an episode of Ark II.

 

Christopher Plummer (February 5) – Actor. Served as the narrator for DiC Entertainment’s Madeline adaptation through its first two seasons and first film spin-off, as well as related media released around the same time.

 

Reuven Bar-Yotam (February 8) – Actor and writer. Provided voices for Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?

 

Mitch Rochon (February 17) – Animator. He worked on Challenge of the Superfriends, Godzilla (1978), The New Fred and Barney Show, Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, Casper and the Angels and The World’s Greatest SuperFriends. He also served as an animation director for Dino-Riders, Darkwing Duck, The Little Mermaid: The Animated Series, Goof Troop, Aladdin, Timon & Pumbaa, Gargoyles, Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series, Jungle Cubs, 101 Dalmatians: The Series and Hercules: The Animated Series; sequence director for Little Clowns of Happytown; timing director for Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bears, The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, Teacher’s Pet and Teamo Supremo; and provided sheet timing for Turtles Forever and Tutenstein and storyboard revisions for Goof Troop.

 

Larry Alexander (February 20) – Writer. Worked on The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show.

 

George Segal (March 23) – Actor. Provided the original voice of Dr. Eli Selig in an episode of The Zeta Project.

 

Jessica Walter (March 24) – Actor. Played Admiral Rhea Bergstrom in an episode of Wing Commander Academy, Ashlee Walker Club Dupree in an episode of The Magic School Bus (1994), and Athena in an episode of Justice League Action, and starred as Meteora Heinous in Star vs. the Forces of Evil. She also provided additional voices for The Pirates of Dark Water.

 

Beverly Cleary (March 25) – Author of children’s books. Her trilogy of books featuring Ralph S. Mouse were adapted into three episodes of ABC Weekend Specials.

 

Sharon Thomas (March 29) – Artist. Did backgrounds for Baggy Pants & the Nitwits, What’s New, Mr. Magoo?, The Fantastic Four (1978), The Pink Panther Show and Spider-Woman, and was a cel painter on Pac-Man.

 

Jim Stocks (March 31) – Artist. Provided cel service on various episodes of ABC Weekend Specials, Heathcliff (1980) and Thundarr the Barbarian.

 

John Paragon (April 3) – Actor, writer, director and producer. Best known as the disembodied genie head Jambi and one of the voices of Pterri on Pee-wee’s Playhouse, for which he also wrote and directed.

 

Walter Olkewicz (April 6) – Actor. Played Carmine Falcone in Batman: The Animated Series.

 

James Hampton (April 7) – Actor, director and writer. Reprised his role as Harold Howard in the animated Teen Wolf series.

 

James Dijulio (April 11) – Music engineer that worked primarily for Saban Entertainment. He worked on Power Rangers Zeo, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, Power Rangers in Space, Silver Surfer: The Animated Series, Mad Jack the Pirate, Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, Avengers: United They Stand, Action Man (2000), and Digimon: The Movie.

 

Clem Rivera (April 12) – Artist. Did layouts for Fillmore!, Lilo & Stitch: The Series and Teacher’s Pet.

 

Dário De Castro (April 15) – Actor. Provided the Brazilian dubs for El Dorado in SuperFriends: The Legendary Super Powers Show, Obsidian in Transformers: Beast Machines and Martian Manhunter in Static Shock and The Batman, as well as the narration for various episodes of Thomas & Friends.

 

Felix Silla (April 16) – Actor. Played Polka Dotted Horse and various other characters in H.R. Pufnstuf and Colonel Poom in Lidsville.

 

Bunny Munns (April 19) – Artist. Worked as a color key artist on The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show, Heathcliff (1980), Thundarr the Barbarian, Goldie Gold and Action Jack, episodes of ABC Weekend Specials, The Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Puppy Hour, The Puppy’s Further Adventures, Saturday Supercade, Alvin and the Chipmunks (1983), Rubik, the Amazing Cube, Dragon’s Lair, Turbo Teen, Mister T, It’s Punky Brewster and Tiny Toon Adventures; color key supervisor on Lazer Tag Academy; ink and paint supervisor on Taz-Mania, Batman: The Animated Series, Animaniacs (1993), Freakazoid!, The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries and Pinky and the Brain; and a color stylist on Toonsylvania.

 

Sam Haggin (April 21) – Actor. Appeared as a cop in an episode of the Wonderbug segment of The Krofft Suprshow.

 

Bernie Kahn (April 21) – Writer. Worked on Super Friends (1973), Valley of the Dinosaurs, These are the Days and the Dr. Shrinker segment of The Krofft Supershow.

 

Terry O’Reilley (April 21) – Artist. Was an opaquer on The Raccoons and a layout artist on The Lion Guard.

 

Iara Riça (April 27) – Actor. Provided the Brazilian dubs for Gi in Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Harley Quinn in Batman: The Animated Series, Jubilee in X-Men: The Animated Series, the Trini Kwan in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Gluko in Mon Colle Knights, Jean Grey in X-Men: Evolution and Miles “Tailes” Prower in Sonic X and Sonic Boom (1^st season).

 

Billie Hayes (April 29) – Actor. Probably best known for her portrayal of the evil Witchiepoo on H.R. Pufnstuf. She would reprise the role for Lidsville, where she also played Weenie the Genie, and both roles on The Bay City Rollers Show. She played Agnes in an episode of Wonderbug; Pinkbeard in an episode of The Flintstone Comedy Show; Sheriff Parker in an episode of The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries; Mrs. Rogers in an episode of The Real Ghostbusters; Granny Whammy and an old lady in episodes of Darkwing Duck; Sielma and a customer in an episode of Aaahh!!! Real Monsters; Fabulous Lady in an episode of Rugrats; Virginia and Georgia in an episode of The Batman; Mrs. Neederlander and a zookeeper in Transformers: Rescue Bots; and reprised the role of Mother Mae-Eye in Teen Titans Go! She also provided additional voices for Trollkins, The Gary Coleman Show, The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries and The Karate Kid (1989).

 

Sam Cornell (May 1) – Artist and designer. He worked as a designer on George of the Jungle (1967), designed the title sequence for The Wuzzles, and created and directed the title sequence for The New Woody Woodpecker Show

 

John Paul Leon (May 1) – Comic book artist. He was the original artist on the Static comic that would serve as the inspiration for Static Shock.

 

Diane Fabian (May 4) – Actor. Voiced Aunt Dorothy in the “Uncle Harry’s Horrible House of Horrors” episode of Tales from the Cryptkeeper. She also provided voices for The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.

 

Michael Edens (May 7) – Writer. He worked on The Real Ghostbusters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987), Camp Candy, Little Shop, Beetlejuice, Dog City, X-Men: The Animated Series, Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Street Fighter: The Animated Series, Wing Commander Academy, Disney’s Doug, Hercules: The Animated Series, Young Hercules, Avengers: United They Stand, NASCAR Racers, Men in Black: The Series, Gadget and the Gadgetinis, Stargate: Infinity, Sabrina’s Secret Life and Horseland. He also served as a story editor for Beetlejuice, Street Fighter: The Animated Series and Wing Commander Academy.

 

Tawny Kitaen (May 7) – Actor. She starred as the original voice of Annabelle in Eek! the Cat.

 

Tony Armatrading (May 10) – Actor. Voiced Trudge in an episode of Doc McStuffins.

 

Mike Yang (May 10) – Animator. Served as an animatic editor for Men in Black: The Series and Jackie Chan Adventures, did the animatic storyboards for Godzilla: The Series, and was an animatic timer on Ben 10: Omniverse.

 

Marisha Noroski (May 15) – Artist. Provided designs for an episode of Schoolhouse Rock!, was a cel painter for Pac-Man, and was a final checker on an episode of ABC Weekend Specials.

 

David Anthony Kraft (May 19) – Writer, publisher and critic. Aside from his well-regarded work in comic books and his self-published magazine Comics Interview, he served as the executive story editor on Street Fighter: The Animated Series.

 

Samuel E. Wright (May 24) – Actor. Best known as the voice of Sebastian the crab from Disney’s The Little Mermaid franchise. He played the role in the animated series, as well as Raw Toonage, Marsupilami and House of Mouse.

 

Paul Soles (May 26) – Actor. Best known as the original voice of Spider-Man from Spider-Man (1967) and later Spider-Woman, he also played Barnabus Dingleknot in two episodes of Mysticons and provided voices for The King Kong Show (1966), The Smokey Bear Show and The Reluctant Dragon and Mr. Toad Show.

 

Gavin MacLeod (May 29) – Actor. He voiced Captain Gumble in an episode of Pound Puppies (2010). It was a nod to his time as the captain in The Love Boat and the episode featured his former Mary Tyler Moore Show co-star Betty White.

 

B.J. Thomas (May 29) – Musician. Performed on several episodes of American Bandstand.

 

Don Duga (May 31) – Animator and educator. Worked on animation continuity for King Kong (1966) and provided animation for The Jackson 5ive, The Osmonds and several episodes of Sesame Street.

 

Arlene Golonka (May 31) – Actor. Played Debbie in Speed Buggy, which she reprised in The New Scooby-Doo Movies, and Mrs. Yarby on Fudge. She also provided additional voices for The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians.

 

F. Lee Bailey (June 3) – Prominent criminal defense attorney, television host and sometimes actor. Provided a voice for an episode of Spider-Man (1981).

 

Kay Hawtrey (June 11) – Actor. Played Grandma in Max & Ruby. She also guest-starred as Miss Primrose in an episode of The Raccoons; an old woman in an episode of Goosebumps; and Mrs. Blackburn in an episode of The New Ghostwriter Mysteries.

 

Frank Bonner (June 16) – Actor and director. He had the recurring role of Mr. Harrington and the one-time role of Mr. Spalding in Saved by the Bell: The New Class, which he also directed. Additionally, he directed every episode of City Guys.

 

Carmen Onorati (June 17) – Actor. Provided the Italian dub for Velma Dinkley in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! and The New Scooby-Doo Movies.

 

Steve Sherman (June 24) – Writer, artist, photographer, puppet-maker and puppeteer. After a tenure as Jack Kirby’s assistant and an editor at DC Comics, he went on to work for Filmation and Sid & Marty Krofft Productions before forming his own puppet studio with Gregory Williams. They provided the O.G. Readmore puppet for ABC Weekend Specials, several of the puppets for Pee-wee’s Playhouse, and the penguins and computer animations for Beakman’s World.

 

Philece Sampler (July 2) – Actor. She starred as Mimi Tachikawa, Koromon, Cody Hida, Anna, Palmon, Alice McCoy, Yoshie Matsuki, Jeri Katou, Riley Ohtori, Floramon, Shinya Kanbara, and Koichi and Koji’s mother in Digimon: Digital Monsters; Silvia in Viewtiful Joe; and Sabine Cheng and Ms. Mendeleiev in Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir for which she also provided additional voices. She also guest-starred as Francine in an episode of All Grown Up!

 

Richard Donner (July 5) – Director and producer. Best known for his films like Superman, Goonies or Lethal Weapon, in his early career he was directing television which included the Danger Island segments of The Banana Splits Adventure Hour. As one of the rights holders to the EC Comics library, he was given an executive producer credit in Tales From the Cryptkeeper as well as a special thanks credit in the final season.

 

Winston Sharples, Jr. (July 7) – Music editor. Worked on The New Casper Cartoon Show.

 

Chick Vennera (July 7) – Actor. Played Sammy the rat in Foofur; Twitch in an episode of Batman: The Animated Series; Johnny T. Rex in an episode of Darkwing Duck; Pesto, Sparrow and Joe P. in various episodes of Animanaics (1993) and an episode of Pinky and the Brain; a chauffer in an episode of Batman Beyond; and Ferret in episodes of Static Shock. He also provided additional voices in The Karate Kid: The Animated Series.

 

Don Jurwich (July 13) – Producer, writer, director and artist. He wrote for The Super 6, The Bugs Bunny Show, The New Tom & Jerry Show, The Mumbly Cartoon Show, Heathcliff (1980), Tom & Jerry Kids Show and Droopy: Master Detective, also serving as story editor for the latter two; worked as a layout artist for The Bullwinkle Show, Linus! The Lion Hearted, Wacky Races, Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines, Josie and the Pussycats, The Flintstone Comedy Hour, The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie, The Roman Holidays and Hong Kong Phooey; served as a designer for George of the Jungle (1967); was a story director for Jabberjaw, The All-New Super Friends Hour and The Kwicky Koala Show; a recording director for Challenge of the Superfriends, The World’s Greatest Superfriends, Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, The Richie Rich/Scooby-Doo Show and Droopy: Master Detective; production designer Emergency +4; director for Spider-Man (1981), supervising director Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, and voice director for The Incredible Hulk (1982); and was a producer for Scooby’s Laff-A-Lympics, Challenge of the Superfriends, The World’s Greatest SuperFriends, Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels, The Richie Rich/Scooby-Doo Show, The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang, The Incredible Hulk (1982), The Smurfs, Tom & Jerry Kids Show, Red Planet and Droopy: Master Detective.

 

Biz Markie (July 16) – Rapper, singer, DJ, record producer, actor, comedian and writer. Guest-starred in an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants as Kenny the Cat.

 

Noreen Beasley (July 22) – Artist. Provided character designs for Foofur and designs for The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley.

 

Alfie Scopp (July 24) – Actor. One of the Clarabell stand-ins on Howdy Doody, several minor roles in Spider-Man (1967), and provided voices for The King Kong Show.

 

Jonathan Rinzler (July 28) – Writer. Wrote 2 episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

 

Fred Ladd (August 3) – Writer and producer credited as one of the first to introduce anime to North America. He wrote and voice directed the English dub of Astro Boy (1963) and wrote for Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle (1976), The Kid Super Power Hour with Shazam!, Hero High and The Incredible Hulk (1982).

 

Trevor Moore (August 6) – Comedian, actor and producer. He co-created and wrote for Disney shows Walk the Prank and Just Roll With It.

 

Peter R. Brown (August 12) – Animator. He was the overseas animation supervisor for Recess, Lilo & Stitch: The Series and Lloyd in Space.

 

Steve Perrin (August 13) – Writer, editor and game designer. Wrote an episode of The Real Ghostbusters.

 

Robert Stanton (August 13) – Background artist and art director. His work included Alvin & the Chipmunks (1983), Histeria!, Digimon: Digital Monsters and SpongeBob SquarePants.

 

Masami Suda (August 17) – Artist. Worked as a layout artist for The Littles and character designer for Yo-Kai Watch.

 

Ed Asner (August 29) – Actor and activist. His long and prolific career in television and film expanded to voice acting in the late 80s. Among his Saturday morning credits was the recurring role of Roland Daggett in Batman: The Animated Series; Vern in an episode of Animaniacs (1993); Hudson in Gargoyles; J. Jonah Jameson in Spider-Man: The Animated Series; Sgt. Mike Cosgrove in Freakazoid!, which he would later reprise for an episode of Teen Titans Go!; General Araneus in an episode of The Magic School Bus (1994); Mr. Applegate in an episode of Life with Louie; Agent K’s father in an episode of Men in Black: The Series; Granny Goodness in Superman: The Animated Series; Thaddeus T. Third V in an episode of Recess; Chuck Marshak in Max Steel (2000); Fixer in an episode of Buzz Lightyear of Star Command; a guard captain in an episode of Duck Dodgers; Uncle Ben in an episode of The Spectacular Spider-Man; Kent Nelson in an episode of Young Justice; and an angry old timer in an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants.

 

Michael Constantine (August 31) – Actor. Played The Sorcerer in the Electra Woman and Dyna Girl segment of The Krofft Supershow.

Art Metrano (September 6) – Actor. Starred as Spike in The Thing segments of Fred and Barney Meet the Thing/Fred and Barney Meet the Shmoo.

 

Marion Wells (September 9) – Writer. Worked on Foofur, Adventures of the Gummi Bears, Darkwing Duck and Goof Troop.

 

Leo DeLyon (September 18) – Actor. Played Wat in the “Mrs. Roger’s Neighborhood” episode of The Real Ghostbusters. Also provided voices for The Smurfs and Foofur.

 

David DePatie (September 23) – Film and television producer. He co-founded studio DePatie-Freleng Enterprises with Friz Freleng after having been the last executive in charge of the original Warner Bros. Cartoons studio, of which he was the last surviving member. DePatie also helped the transition into the early years of Marvel Productions when they sold their studio to Cadence Industries. The breakout property of his career was when DFE provided the opening titles for The Pink Panther, leading to a series of cartoons based around the popular character spawned from it and jobs in producing similar title sequences for other productions.
 
Programs he had a hand in include The Pink Panther Show, Here Comes the Grump, Doctor Dolittle (1970), The Barkleys, The Houndcats, Bailey’s Comets, an episode of The ABC Saturday Superstar Movies, Return to the Planet of the Apes, Baggy Pants and the Nitwits, What’s New Mr. Magoo?, The Fantastic Four (1978), Spider-Woman, Spider-Man (1981), Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, Pandamonium, Meatballs and Spaghetti, The Incredible Hulk (1982) and Pink Panther and Sons with Hanna-Barbera.

 

Myrna Gibbs (September 28) – Artist. Provided ink and paint for The Pink Panther Show and Spider-Woman.

 

Kathleen Quaife-Hodge (October 5) – Animator. Served as an assistant animator for “The Bolio Caper” episode of ABC Weekend Specials; designed props for an episode of Tom and Jerry Tales; was a special effects designer for Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman and The Mummy: The Animated Series; and a writing coordinator, character designer, color stylist, background painter and animator for various episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants.

 

Brian Goldner (October 11) – Chairman and CEO of Hasbro credited with transforming the toy company into an entertainment leader. He was credited as an executive producer on G.I. Joe: Sigma 6, Transformers: Animated, Power Rangers Beast Morphers and Power Rangers Dino Fury.

 

JoAnna Cameron (October 15) – Actor. Starred as the superheroine Isis in The Secrets of Isis and in Shazam! (1975).

 

Lew Ott (October 16) – Artist. He was a layout artist on Fantastic Four (1967), The Banana Splits Adventure Hour, Hot Wheels, Harlem Globe Trotters, The New Scooby-Doo Movies, Goober and the Ghost Chasers, Scooby’s Laff-A-Lympics, Godzilla (1978), an episode of ABC Weekend Specials, The Dukes and The Pirates of Dark Water; a production designer on Fangface, Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show and episodes of ABC Weekend Specials; a character designer on Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels, Laverne & Shirley in the Army, The Richie Rich/Scooby-Doo Show, The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang, The Smurfs, The Little Rascals (1982), The Gary Coleman Show, Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour, The New Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Show, The Biskitts, Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show and Tom & Jerry Kids Show; design unit head on Pound Puppies (1986); and designer on Droopy: Master Detective

 

Jack Angel (October 19) – Actor. He played Flash, Hawkman, Samurai and several smaller characters in The All-New Super Friends Hour, Challenge of the Super Friends, Super Friends (1981), SuperFriends: The Legendary Super Powers Show and The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians; Donald Blake, Man Mountain Marko and Moe in Spider-Man (1981); Dr. Zachary Darret in Pole Position; Dr. Aeolis in Challenge of the GoBots; Miguel Alonso, Lord Carfax, Andrew, Miyan, Archbishop, Emmett Benton, Beldrix’ manager, Carfax guards and a conman in Jem; Professor Chin in Denver, the Last Dinosaur; Robert Mullins, Eucrates Cookson and Olook in Peter Pan and the Pirates; Rex-1 and LEX in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987); The Liquidator, Moloculo Macawber and a robber in Darkwing Duck; Cro-Magnum PI in Raw Toonage; Oniro and a computer in Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm; Nick Fury in Spider-Man: The Animated Series; and Old Man Year Before That and Old Man Year Before Year Before That in ChalkZone.
 
He also provided voices for Meatballs and Spaghetti, Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour, Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, The New Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, The Smurfs, Alvin & the Chipmunks (1983), The Dukes, Snorks, CBS Storybreak, Dino-Riders, Kid ‘n’ Play, Tiny Toon Adventures, The Wizard of Oz (1990), Back to the Future: The Animated Series, Where’s Waldo?, Space Cats, ProStars, Super Dave: Daredevil for Hire, Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa, All-New Dennis the Menace and Casper (1996).

 

Marlene Robinson May (October 22) – Animator and director. Served as an animator for The Addams Family (1973); assistant animation supervisor for The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse and Heckle and Jeckle, The Tom & Jerry Comedy Show, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, The Tarzan/Lone Ranger/Zorro Adventure Hour and The Adventures of Flash Gordon; animation checking supervisor for The Puppy’s Further Adventures, Saturday Supercade, Dragon’s Lair, Turbo Teen and Mister T; animation supervisor for Alvin and the Chipmunks (1983), It’s Punky Brewster and Superman (1988); supervising timing director for The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Raw Toonage, Darkwing Duck, Goof Troop (as well as overseas animation supervisor), Sonic the Hedgehog (1993) and Beethoven: The Animated Series; timing director for Skeleton Warriors, X-Men: The Animated Series, DarkStalkers, Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series and Men in Black: The Series; animation director for Dumb and Dumber: The Series and The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat; animation timer for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987), Ozzy & Drix and Loonatics Unleashed; sheet timer for Earthworm Jim, SpongeBob SquarePants and Thomas & Friends; a director for “The Magic Flute” episode and animation director for “Jirimpimbira: An African Folk Tale” episode of ABC Weekend Specials; and animation director and sheet timer for Bobby’s World.

 

Peter Scolari (October 22) – Actor best known for Bosom Buddies, Newhart and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The Series. He played a driver and Wilford Wolf in two episodes of Animaniacs (1993); John Hamner and The Shark/Gunther Hardwicke in two episodes of Batman: The Animated Series; recurring character Preston Vogel in Gargoyles; Weird Guy and Mr. Perfect in two episodes of Pinky and the Brain; and Professor Higginson in What’s New, Scooby-Doo?

 

Angelo Mosca (November 6) – Football player, wrestler and actor. Played the Cadaverous Man in the “Strained Peas” episode of Goosebumps.

 

Dean Stockwell (November 7) – Actor. Probably best known from his starring role in Quantum Leap, he lent his voice as the elder Tim Drake in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.

 

Phil Margo (November 13) – Musician and author, best known as a member of The Tokens and through the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”. He wrote a couple of songs for The Kids from C.A.P.E.R.

 

Joe Siracusa (November 13) – Editor that primarily worked for DePatie-Freleng Enterprises and Marvel Productions. He worked on Doctor Dolittle (1970), The Barkleys, The Houndcats and Bailey’s Comets. He was also the music editor for Return to the Planet of the Apes, The Oddball Couple, Baggy Pants & the Nitwits, What’s New, Mr. Magoo?, The Fantastic Four (1978), The All-New Pink Panther Show, Spider-Woman, Spider-Man (1981), Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Pandamonium, Meatballs and Spaghetti, The Incredible Hulk (1982), Muppet Babies, and Dungeons & Dragons.

 

Will Ryan (November 19) – Actor, writer and musician. He voiced Wishing Well in an episode of The Wuzzles; Slime, Selwyn Quarrel, Cousin McDougall, Wizard Anton, and additional voices in The Smurfs (1981); Chubs in Teen Wolf: The Animated Series; Ogres, Gad and Zook in Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bears; McKraven, Webster the Rabbit and additional voices in Garfield and Friends; Mr. Cross Ghost, a Medic Guardian and Voices in The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat; Willie the Giant in Disney’s House of Mouse; and played various characters in various episodes of ABC Weekend Specials, for which also wrote, produced and provided music for an episode.

 

Scott Page-Pagter (December 5) – Voice actor and producer that worked primarily for Saban Entertainment. He voiced Peckster, Oysterizer, Pirantishead, Slippery Shark, Plague Patrol #1 and Face Stealer in various episodes of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Robosect in Masked Rider, Fortissimodo in Power Rangers Zeo, Wolfgang in BeetleBorgs, Porto in Power Rangers Turbo, and Steelon in Power Rangers Wild Force, as well as provided voices for the video games based on Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue and Power Rangers Time Force. He was the sound effects editor for Kid ‘n’ Play, Alvin & the Chipmunks (1983), Spacecats, Camp Candy, X-Men: The Animated Series and Digimon: Digital Monsters, and the sound effects engineer for Saban’s Adventures of the Little Mermaid. He was also the supervising producer for Masked Rider, BeetleBorgs, Power Rangers Zeo and Turbo; co-producer for Power Rangers in Space, Lost Galaxy, Lightspeed Rescue, Time Force and Wild Force; and adr/voice director for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Power Rangers Zeo and Mon Colle Knights.

 

Vera Pacheco (December 11) – Animator, and the original voice of Princess Daphne in the Dragon’s Lair video game series. Worked on “The Bollo Caper” episode of ABC Weekend Specials.

 

Henry Orenstein (December 14) – Toymaker. Credited as being responsible for Hasbro acquiring the Japanese toylines that would begin the Transformers franchise.

 

Gérald Forton (December 16) – Artist. He was a storyboard assistant on Kid ‘n’ Play; storyboard artist for Skeleton Warriors (also provided layouts), DarkStalkers, X-Men: The Animated Series, Road Rovers, Street Fighter: The Animated Series and Men in Black: The Series; did backgrounds for The Pirates of Dark Water, Tiny Toon Adventures and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987); and a character designer for The Real Ghostbusters, Swamp Thing: The Animated Series and Captain Planet and the Planeteers.

 

Mark Taylor (December 23) – Artist. Provided character designs for Teenage mutant Ninja Turtles (1987).

 

Anthony May (December 24) – Actor. Played Sidney, the Cool Cavalier on an episode of Here Come the Double Deckers!

 

Derrick J. Wyatt (December ??) – Artist. He was a character designer for ¡Mucha Lucha!, Legion of Super Heroes, Transformers: Animated, the New Teen Titans shorts on DC Nation, Ben 10: Omniverse and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles short, Half-Shell Heroes: Blast to the Past. He was also the art director for Transformers and Ben 10, a storyboard artist for The Ripping Friends, and provided additional design and color for Green Lantern: The Animated Series.

 

Stephen Lawrence (December 30) – Composer. Wrote and arranged original songs for Sesame Street.

 

David Schwartz (December 30) – Artist, writer, director and producer. Directed several episodes of Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys and an episode of Channel Umptee-3, and did storyboards for ALF: The Animated Series, ALF Tales, Slimer! And the Real Ghostbusters, Darkwing Duck, Yo Yogi!, Tiny Toon Adventures, Taz-Mania, Aladdin, 101 Dalmatians: The Series, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, Teamo Supremo, X-Men: Evolution, Lilo & Stitch: The Series, Tutenstein, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Wolverine and the X-Men, The Secret Saturdays, Doc McStuffins and Ben 10 (2016).

 

Betty White (December 31) – Actor, comedian and animal welfare advocate. She has been on television for almost as long as there was a television, appearing in sitcoms, variety shows, game shows and film. On Saturdays, she had the recurring role of Agatha McLeish in Pound Puppies (2010). She also voiced Hestia in an episode of Hercules: The Animated Series, Grandma Rose in an episode of Teacher’s Pet, Aardvark Lady in an episode of Mickey Mouse and Beatrice in an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants.