Chuck Jones Producer Director Animator

Chuck Jones, Producer, Director, Animator Chuck Jones was born on September 21, 1912. Jones entered the animation industry in 1932 as a cel washer at Ubbe Iwerks Studio after graduating from the Chouinard Art Institute (now California Institute of Arts). He joined the Leon Schlesinger Studio, later sold to Warner Bros., as an animator in 1936. There, Jones was assigned to Tex Averys animation unit. In 1938, at the age of 25, he directed his first animated film The Night Watchman. Jones remained at Warner Bros. animation until it closed in 1962, though he had a brief stint with Disney Studios in 1955 during a break at Warner Bros.In 1966, while heading up the animation division at MGM Studios, Jones directed one of the most memorable holiday television specials ever produced, Dr Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas. First aired on Sunday, December 18, 1966, the half-hour special was met with glowing reviews from newspapers across the country and has since become one of the most beloved holiday programs on television.Translating Dr. Seuss book into animation was not a easy as it looks. With great persistency and a little charm, director and co-producer, Chuck Jones, had finally convinced his old friend Ted Geisel (author of the book) to give him a shot at How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Ted and Chuck were always fans of each others work.Ted was reluctant to have anyone animate his books, so he wanted it done carefully and well. Chuck Jones and Ted Geisel first met doing the Private Snafu cartoons about a goof-up soldier made by Warner Bros. for the army between 1943 and 1945.When you read How The Grinch Stole Christmas, it takes about 10 minutes. Chuck Jones challenge was making those same rhyming couplets and drawings come alive for television. Jones worked hard to create the Grinch model based on Dr. Suess book.Geisel was not always entirely satisfied, but knew Chuck well enough to trust him with the character design and the...