2006 Movie News Archives

Fleischer Superman

February 6, 2006: Superman Animator Myron Waldman Dies at 97

Animator Myron Waldman, who in his long career originated Betty Boop's sidekick, helped create two Oscar-nominated cartoons and put Superman and Raggedy Ann on the screen, has died at 97, his family said Monday.

Waldman died Saturday of congestive heart failure at New Island Hospital in Bethpage, said Rosalie Waldman, his wife of 57 years.

Waldman was instrumental in the animation of Betty Boop, Popeye, Casper, Raggedy Ann and Andy, and the original Superman cartoon series, said Jerry Gladstone, president of American Royal Arts of Boca Raton, Fla., which represented Waldman's work.

"He was a true pioneer, both as an animator and as one who greatly affected the animation industry," said Gladstone.

Waldman was the last surviving head animator of the Max Fleischer Studios, a leader in the fledgling cartoon field of the 1920s which then became rivals to Walt Disney in the 1930s with its Betty Boop and Popeye the Sailor series.

Waldman assumed a major role in the animation of Superman and Popeye, and became the principal animator of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy, based on the Johnny Gruelle children's stories.

In addition to his wife, Waldman is survived by two sons, Steve and Robert, and three grandchildren.



2006 Movie News

Listed below are all the Movie News items archived for 2006 organized into various categories:

“Superman Returns” Movie News:

Christopher Reeve Movie News: Hollywoodland (George Reeves) Movie News: Direct-to-DVD Animated Movie News: Other Movie News:

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