Robert McKimson

A key figure of Termite Terrace who helped shape the studio's golden age.

Robert Porter McKimson Sr. (October 13, 1910 – September 29, 1977) was a foundational American animator and illustrator for Warner Bros. Cartoons and DePatie–Freleng Enterprises. He wrote and directed numerous shorts starring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Foghorn Leghorn, Hippety Hopper, Speedy Gonzales, and the Tasmanian Devil. While he contributed to the studio's golden age, he did not develop Bugs Bunny's design—that was already standardized by earlier shorts. McKimson was one of several long-time employees, including Friz Freleng, who worked at the studio from the early days of Looney Tunes through its finish in 1969.

Quick Facts

Birth name: Robert Porter McKimson
Born: 13 October 1910
Birthplace: Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Died: 29 September 1977
Place of death: Burbank, California, U.S.
Occupation: Animator, illustrator
Years active: 1929–1977
Other names: Bob McKimson; Buck McKimson

Lore & Background

McKimson's career began in 1930 at Romer Grey's studio, where he and his brother Tom worked on unreleased cartoons featuring Binko the Bear Cub. After that studio failed due to the Great Depression, McKimson joined Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising, starting with ink-and-paint duties before becoming an animator by 1931. He returned to Leon Schlesinger Productions alongside Friz Freleng and Rollin Hamilton. Although offered a directorial position in 1938, he declined it; Chuck Jones was already a director by that time. McKimson eventually accepted the directorial role himself in late 1944 after Frank Tashlin left. His first directorial effort was 'Daffy Doodles' (1946); the earlier short 'The Return of Mr. Hook' (1945) was directed by Friz Freleng.

Reader's Guide

McKimson created Foghorn Leghorn, the Tasmanian Devil, and Speedy Gonzales (for the 1953 short Cat-Tails for Two), while directing every Hippety Hopper/Sylvester pairing. His notable shorts include Hillbilly Hare, A-Lad-In His Lamp, Stupor Duck, The Windblown Hare, Walky Talky Hawky, and Big Top Bunny. He also animated a cameo of Bugs Bunny in the 1943 Puppetoon film Jasper Goes Hunting, an unprecedented collaboration between rival studios Paramount and Warner Bros. After leaving DePatie–Freleng Enterprises temporarily, he returned to direct The Pink Panther Show shorts starting in 1972. His final Warner Bros. cartoon was Injun Trouble featuring Cool Cat; it was shortlisted for an Academy Award but not nominated. McKimson died of a sudden heart attack on September 29, 1977, just two days after his doctor declared him healthy.

Did You Know?

In 1953, he animated on four of his own shorts, including The Hole Idea where he was the sole credited animator.
On September 27, 1977, just two days before his death, McKimson bragged to Friz Freleng that he would outlive him due to a family history of living past 90.