Richard Williams, 'Roger Rabbit’ Animator, Dies At 86

Richard Williams et 'Roger Rabbit' à Londres en 1989

Richard Williams, the famous animator behind Who Framed Roger Rabbit, has died. He was 86.

According to reports from The Guardian, the Canadian-born animator passed away Friday (August 16) at his home in Bristol, England, Williams' family announced Saturday (August 17). Williams, best known for his animation work on the 1988 classic which featured iconic cartoon characters Roger and Jessica Rabbit. The film, which depicted a world in which humans and cartoons co-existed in Hollywood in 1947, was a breakout success for Williams career.

Williams' daughter, Natasha, revealed her father "had been suffering from cancer," stating it was "quite a swift illness," per the BBC. "He really was an inspiration to everyone that met him. Whether they were animators, or from the top to the bottom of society," Natasha said, adding that her father was "an incredibly generous, warm-spirited person who really wanted to learn about the world."

After working as one of Disney's animators as a teen, Williams went on to become a three-time Oscar and three-time BAFTA recipient following his work on the animated film The Little Island (1958), and title sequences such as What's New Pussycat?, Casino Royale, The Return of the Pink Panther, and The Pink Panther Strikes Again.

Photo: Getty Images


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