Arthur Rankin, Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arthur Rankin, Jr.
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Rankin in an undated photo.
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Arthur Gardner Rankin, Jr.
July 19, 1924 |
| Died | January 30, 2014 (aged 89) |
| Other names | Arthur Rankin |
| Occupation | Animator, director, producer, writer |
| Years active | Late 1940s–2014 |
| Spouse(s) | Olga Karlatos |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Arthur Rankin, Marian Mansfield |
| Relatives | Harry Davenport (grandfather), Phyllis Rankin (grandmother) |
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Arthur Gardner Rankin, Jr. (born July 19, 1924 – died January 30, 2014) was an American director, producer, and writer. He was best known for his amazing work in animation. Arthur Rankin, Jr. helped create many popular stop-motion and cartoon shows.
He was a big part of Rankin/Bass Productions with his partner, Jules Bass. Together, they made famous holiday specials. These include Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. They also made the 1977 cartoon movie The Hobbit. He worked on over 1,000 television shows during his career.
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Early Life and Family
Arthur Gardner Rankin, Jr. was born in New York City, New York. His birthday was on July 19, 1924. He came from a family of performers. His parents, Arthur Rankin and Marian Mansfield, were both actors. His grandparents, Harry Davenport and Phyllis Rankin, were also actors. This means acting and storytelling ran in his family!
Creating Magical Worlds: Rankin/Bass Productions
Arthur Rankin, Jr. is most famous for his work with Jules Bass. They formed a company called Rankin/Bass Productions. This company made many beloved animated shows and movies. They were especially known for their holiday specials. These specials often used a special kind of animation.
What is Stop-Motion Animation?
Many Rankin/Bass shows used something called stop-motion animation. This is a cool way to make characters move. Animators take a picture of a puppet or model. Then, they move the puppet just a tiny bit. They take another picture. They repeat this many, many times. When all the pictures are played fast, the puppet looks like it's moving! It takes a lot of patience and skill.
Famous Rankin/Bass Specials
Rankin/Bass Productions created some of the most memorable holiday shows.
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) is one of their most famous. It tells the story of Rudolph and his shiny nose.
- Frosty the Snowman (1969) is another classic. It brings a snowman to life with a magic hat.
- Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970) explains Santa's origins.
They also made other fantasy stories.
- The Hobbit (1977) was an animated movie. It brought J.R.R. Tolkien's famous book to life.
- The Last Unicorn (1982) was another popular animated film.
Arthur Rankin, Jr. was a key person in making these shows. He worked as a director, producer, and writer. This means he helped decide how the stories would be told. He also made sure everything was made properly. His work brought joy to many families.
Later Life and Legacy
Arthur Rankin, Jr. passed away on January 30, 2014. He was 89 years old. He died in Harrington Sound, Bermuda, after a short illness. He left behind his wife, Olga Karlatos, who was a Greek actress. He also had two sons, Gardner and Todd.
Arthur Rankin, Jr.'s work continues to be loved by many. His holiday specials are still watched every year. They are a big part of many families' traditions. He helped create a special kind of magic through animation.
See Also
In Spanish: Arthur Rankin Jr. para niños
