Tex Avery(1908-1980)
- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Tex Avery was a descendant of Judge Roy Bean and Daniel Boone, but all
his grandma ever told him about it was "Don't ever mention you are kin
to Roy Bean. He's a no good skunk!!" After graduating from North Dallas
High School in 1927, Avery moved to Southern California in 1929 and got
a job in the harbor. After showing samples of his artwork he got a job
at Walter Lantz Studios in 1929 as animator. His contributions during the
years at Walter Lantz Studios were minor. From 1936 to 1941 he worked as
supervisor - another word for cartoon director - of some 60 titles in
the Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes series for Leon Schlesinger at Warner's.
From 1942 to 1954 Avery worked as director of cartoons at MGM. He was
responsible for practically every MGM Cartoon that did not feature Tom
and Jerry. In 1955 he did four cartoons, again for Walter Lantz Studios,
before leaving the field for advertising, where, alas, his unique sense
of humor went largely unappreciated, but primarily because commercials
are not credited for the viewing audience (perhaps his best known
commercial work was for Raid bug spray, which always featured the
cartoon bugs screaming "Raid!" before getting smashed.)
Among the many cartoon characters Avery created are Daffy Duck, Droopy, Screwy Squirrel, George and Junior and Chilly Willy. Tex Avery is also credited with creating the basic personality of Bugs Bunny. He was the one who coined the phrase "What's up, Doc?"
Among the many cartoon characters Avery created are Daffy Duck, Droopy, Screwy Squirrel, George and Junior and Chilly Willy. Tex Avery is also credited with creating the basic personality of Bugs Bunny. He was the one who coined the phrase "What's up, Doc?"
