Thomas McKimson in 1992
Thomas Jacob "Tom" McKimson (March 5, 1907 - February 14, 1998) was an American animator. He is best known for his work at Warner Bros. studio. He was the older brother of animators Robert and Charles McKimson.
McKimson was born in Denver, Colorado, but relocated to Los Angeles with his family in the 1920s. He began his career in animation in 1928, when he joined the Walt Disney Studio, becoming an assistant to animator Norm Ferguson. He left Disney in the early 1930s to work briefly for Romer Grey Studios, then joined Harman-Ising Studios around 1932. After Harman and Ising left Warner Bros. Animation for MGM, McKimson became a member of Bob Clampett's animation unit, where he is credited with the original design for Tweety. McKimson also provided animation for Bob McKimson and Arthur Davis's units.
During his time at Warner Bros., McKimson also worked for Dell Comics, providing illustrations for the Bugs Bunny and Road Runner comic books. McKimson also illustrated the Roy Rogers daily comic strip from 1949 to 1953 in collaboration with his brother Charles and artist Pete Alvarado, using the collective pseudonym "Al McKimson."[1][2] He left Warners in 1947 to become art director for Dell's parent company Western Publishing, where he remained until his retirement in 1972.
McKimson was active in the Masonic fraternity. He was the Master of Melrose Lodge No. 355 in Hollywood in 1954[3] and a founding member of Riviera Lodge No. 780 in Pacific Palisades, California[4] in 1956, and later an Inspector and the Grand Tyler of the Grand Lodge of California. He was also a polo enthusiast, playing on the same team as Walter Lantz animator Ray Abrams.[5]
McKimson died on Valentine's Day 1998 in West Los Angeles at the age of 90.
Looney Works
- Birdy and the Beast
- Birth of a Notion
- Bosko in Dutch
- Bosko's Mechanical Man
- Ceiling Hero
- Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs
- Falling Hare
- Fighting Tools
- A Great Big Bunch of You
- Horton Hatches the Egg
- I Love a Parade
- It's Got Me Again!
- The Organ Grinder
- Tick Tock Tuckered
- The Wacky Wabbit
- The Wise Quacking Duck
References
- ↑ [1]"Tom McKimson." Lambiek.net website. Last accessed 03/28/2007.
- ↑ [2]"Pete Alvarado." Comic Book DB website. Last accessed 03/30/2007/
- ↑ http://www.hollywoodlodge.org/history/past-masters
- ↑ http://www.palisadespost.com/content/index.cfm?Story_ID=3201
- ↑ Los Angeles Times, Sept. 10, 1934
External Links
- Thomas McKimson at the Internet Movie Database
- Thomas McKimson at the Comiclopedia