Thomas Jacob McKimson(March 5, 1907 – February 14, 1998) was an American animator and comic book artist, best known for his work at theWarner Bros. Cartoonsstudio. He was the older brother of animatorsRobertandCharles McKimson.
Thomas McKimson | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 5, 1907 Denver, Colorado,U.S. |
| Died | February 14, 1998(aged 90) |
| Other names | Tom McKimson |
| Occupation(s) | Animator Comic bookartist |
| Spouse | Ernestine McKimson |
| Children | 3 |
Tom McKimson was born in Denver, Colorado, but relocated toLos Angeleswith his family in the 1920s. He attended Otis Art Institute (now calledOtis College of Art and Design) in the 1920s. He began his career in animation in 1929, when he joined theWalt Disney Studio,becoming an assistant to animatorNorm Ferguson.He left Disney a year later to work briefly forRomer Grey,then joinedHarman-IsingStudios around 1932. After Harman and Ising left Warner Bros. forMGM,McKimson became a member ofBob Clampett's animation unit, where he is credited as a layout artist and the original design forTweety Bird.McKimson also provided layout designs forArthur Davis's unit after he took over Clampett's unit by 1946.
During his time at Warner Bros., McKimson also worked forDell Comics,providing illustrations for theBugs BunnyandRoad Runnercomic books. McKimson also illustrated theRoy Rogersdaily comic strip from 1949 to 1953 in collaboration with his brother Charles and artistPete Alvarado,using the collective pseudonym "Al McKimson."[1][2]He left Warners in 1947 when Don Smith replaced him as layout artist for Davis' unit. He would become an art director for Dell's parent companyWestern Publishing,where he remained until his retirement in 1972.
McKimson was active in theMasonicfraternity. 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 asWalter LantzanimatorRay Abrams.[5]
McKimson died onValentine's Day,1998 inWest Los Angelesat the age of 90, less than a month before his 91st birthday.
Notes
edit- ^http://lambiek.net/artists/m/mckimson_tom.htm"Tom McKimson." Lambiek.net website. Last accessed 03/28/2007.
- ^http://www.comicbookdb.com/creator.php?ID=7063"Pete Alvarado." Comic Book DB website. Last accessed 03/30/2007/
- ^http://www.hollywoodlodge.org/history/past-masters[dead link]
- ^"Home".Archived fromthe originalon 2011-09-28.
- ^Los Angeles Times,Sept. 10, 1934