Tex Avery | |
---|---|
Born | Frederick Bean Avery February 26, 1908 Taylor, Texas, U.S. |
Died | August 26, 1980 Burbank, California, U.S. | (aged 72)
Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills |
Other names | Fred Avery Texas Avery |
Occupation(s) | Animator, director |
Years active | 1928–1980 |
Employers |
|
Spouse |
Patricia Avery
(m. 1935; div. 1972) |
Children | 2[1] |
Frederick Bean "Tex" Avery (/ˈeɪvəri/; February 26, 1908 – August 26, 1980) was an American animator, cartoonist, director, and voice actor. He was known for directing and producing animated cartoons during the golden age of American animation. His most significant work was for the Warner Bros. and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, where he was crucial in the creation and evolution of famous animated characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Droopy, Screwy Squirrel, The Wolf, Red Hot Riding Hood, and George and Junior.
He gained influence for his technical innovation, directorial style and brand of humor. Avery's attitude toward animation was opposite that of Walt Disney and other conventional family cartoons at the time. Avery's cartoons were known for their sarcastic, ironic, absurdist, irreverent, and sometimes sexual tone in nature. They focused on sight gags, surrealist humor, rapid pacing, racial stereotypes, and violent humor, with wacky characters who broke the fourth wall.