Chuck Jones: A Tribute

September 20th 2002 Posted in Blogs

by Denyse Jones
All the world has been awestruck and laughed out loud viewing images created by Academy Award winning director/animator Chuck Jones. For nearly a century his family of unforgettable cartoon characters have influenced the international animation community and ’toon fans across the globe.In order to put all of his achievements and talents into perspective, I chose to produce a timeline of his accomplishments. That was no easy task! My research did not unearth a straight forward list. So happily, I compiled a concise timeline that I hope allows you to further appreciate what a visionary genius Chuck Jones was.

		1900’s Born – September 21, 1912, Charles Martin Jones, in Spokane Washington1920’s 1920’s – Child actor/extra in Mack Sennett comedies1930’s (The Golden Age of Animation) 1932 – age 20 - Began as a cel washer at Ubbe Iwerks (a former Disney animator) after graduating from Chouinard Art Institute (California Institute of the Arts) 1936 – age 24 - Chuck Jones joined the Leon Schlesinger Studio, which was later sold to Warner Bros. 1938 – age 25 - Assigned to Tex Avery’s animation unit, where he developed and produced Looney Tunes: Porky Pig, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck 1938 – age 26 - Directed his first animated film, “The Night Watchman” – (It took 5,000 drawings to make that six minute cartoon.)1940’s (The Golden Age of Animation) 1944 – Age 32 - World War II - Directed Army training films and a re-election film for President Franklin D. Roosevelt.1950’s 1955 – age 43 - (on hiatus from Warner Bros.) At Disney Studios he worked on “Sleeping Beauty” 1957 – age 45 - Directed “What’s Opera Doc?” 1960’s 1962 – age 50 - Warner Bros. closed its Animation Unit 1962 – age 50 - Launched Chuck Jones Enterprises 1966 – age 54 - As head of animation division at MGM Studios he created episodes of the Tom & Jerry cartoon series 1966 – Won an Oscar for the short film, “The Dot & The Line” 1966 – age 54 - Directed Dr. Suess’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” Won a Peabody Award for Television Program Excellence 1970’s 1972 – age 60 - Served as Vice President at the American Broadcasting Company. His vision was to improve children’s programming. Created fine art drawings and limited edition images depicting scenes from his most enduring cartoons. (Wile E. Coyote, Road Runner, Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, Marvin the Martian and more) 1978 – age 66 - His daughter Linda Jones and Mr. Jones created limited-edition animation art depicting characters and scenes from his films. Ms. Jones operates three dedicated Chuck Jones Showroom galleries and Chuck Jones Studio Galleries. LJE has product in more than 150 galleries and museums worldwide. 1980’s Laying the ground work for a new studio, creating Internet films and a MOMA retrospective 1990’s 1992 – age 80 - His film, “What’s Opera Doc?” was the first animated film to be inducted into the National Film Registry 1993 – age 81 - He formed a new studio called Chuck Jones Film Productions Mid-1990’s – He created Timber Wolf on the Internet for Warner Bros. Online and Entertaindom 1996 – age 84 - Awarded an honorary Oscar for Lifetime Achievement in the Field of Animation 1997 – age 85 - Chuck Jones Film Productions closes it doors 1997 – age 85 - Honorary Doctorate from the American Film Institute 1999 – age 87 - His film, “Duck Amuck,” is inducted into the National Film Registry Honorary Life Membership Award from the Director’s Guild of America One-man film retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City 2000’s He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame He founded the Chuck Jones Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to recognize, reward, support, and inspire excellence in the animation arts. 2001 – age 88 - Bugs Bunny United States postage stamp is produced 2002 – age 89 - He passed away in Corona Del Mar, California with his wife Marian, by his side He has created 300 animated films in his incredible lifetime “That’s all folks!”