Bill Littlejohn

Bill Littlejohn (actually: William Charles Little John, born January 27, 1914 in Newark, New Jersey; † 17 September 2010) was an American film animator and trade unionists.

Life and work

Bill Littlejohn worked for more than 60 years as a cartoon artist. His outstanding works include the Tom and Jerry shorts, the Peanuts TV specials, the Oscar-winning short film The Hole, and the film A Doonesbury Special ( nominated for an Oscar ). Bill Littlejohn was accepted into the Cartoon Hall of Fame and was awarded for his lifetime numerous industry awards. In 1938 he founded, together with other Cartonists the Screen Guild Local 852 and became the first president of the union. When Walt Disney refused to negotiate with the union and 16 union-affiliated artists dismissed, Littlejohn led the union in the Disney Animator strike of 1941. The walkout lasted nine weeks, and resulted in the recognition of the union by Disney, as well as, inter alia, to substantial wage increases and to the 40- hour week. The strike is considered groundbreaking for the unionization of animation industry.

Little John was a lifelong supporter of the animated film as art. He founded in 1957 the ASIFA - Hollywood ( international as part of the Association du film d'animation ) and mid-sixties, the International Tournee of Animation. He was also a member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ( AMPAS ). There he represented from 1988 to 2001 the genre short films and animation. Together with his wife born in Austria, the actress and illustrator Fini Littlejohn, 1984, he organized the Olympiad of Animation as part of the Olympic Arts Festival in Los Angeles.

Filmography (selection)

  • Christmas Eve (1941 )
  • A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 )
  • The Great Pumpkin (1966 )
  • He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown (1968 )
  • Charlie Brown and his friends (1969 )
  • The Phantom Tollbooth (1970 )
  • It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown! (1974)
  • You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown (1975 )
  • Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown ( 1975)
  • It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown (1976 )
  • Run for Your Life, Charlie Brown ( 1977)
  • It's Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown (1977 )
  • Down by the River (1978 )
  • Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (1980 )
  • Heavy Metal (1981 ) (segment " B -17" )
  • Here Comes Garfield (1982 )
  • Garfield on the Town (1983 )
  • It's Flash Beagle, Charlie Brown ( 1984)
  • Garfield in the Wilderness (1984 )
  • Garfield in Disguise (1985 )
  • You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown ( 1985)
  • Garfield in Paradise (1986 )
  • Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! (1986)
  • Garfield: His 9 Lives (1988 )
  • Frosty Returns ( 1992)
  • Mrs. Doubtfire - The prickly Nanny ( 1993)
September 17 The Night Before Christmas (1941 film) Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don't Come Back!!) Heavy Metal (Film) Garfield in the Rough
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