Bob Clampett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bob Clampett
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Clampett drawing Bugs Bunny in the early 1940s
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| Born |
Robert Emerson Clampett
May 8, 1913 San Diego, California, U.S.
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| Died | May 2, 1984 (aged 70) |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn – Hollywood Hills Cemetery |
| Alma mater | Otis College of Art and Design |
| Occupation | Animator, director, producer, puppeteer |
| Years active | 1931–1984 |
| Employer |
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| Spouse(s) |
Theota "Sody" Stone
(m. 1955) |
| Children | 3 |
Robert Emerson Clampett Sr. (born May 8, 1913 – died May 2, 1984) was a very creative American animator, director, producer, and puppeteer. He is best known for his amazing work on the classic Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons from Warner Bros. Cartoons. He also created popular television shows like Time for Beany and Beany and Cecil. Clampett was famous for his wild, energetic, and often surreal animation style. He helped design some of Warner Bros.' most beloved characters, including Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, and Tweety.
In his later years, Clampett shared his knowledge about animation history. His Warner Bros. cartoons are still praised today. People love their surreal qualities, energetic animation, and clever humor. Animation historian Jerry Beck said Clampett helped put the "looney" in Looney Tunes.
Contents
Bob Clampett's Early Life and Creative Spark
Robert Emerson Clampett Sr. was born on May 8, 1913, in San Diego, California. His father was from Ireland and moved to the United States as a child.
From a young age, Bob showed great artistic talent. By age five, he was already skilled in art. He loved watching silent film stars like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. He even lived next door to Charlie Chaplin for a while. These early influences inspired him greatly.
Discovering Animation and Puppetry
When he was 12, Bob started making short films in his garage. He was fascinated by animation and also enjoyed making hand puppets. One of his early puppet creations later inspired the character Cecil.
In high school, Clampett drew comics for the Los Angeles Times. King Features, a big newspaper syndicate, noticed his talent. They offered him a job after high school and even paid for him to attend Otis College of Art and Design. There, he learned to paint and sculpt.
Clampett left high school early in 1931. He found a job at a doll factory owned by his aunt, Charlotte Clark. He suggested making Mickey Mouse dolls, which were becoming very popular. Walt Disney and his brother Roy O. Disney loved the idea. Bob even helped Walt load the Mickey Mouse dolls into his car sometimes.
Starting His Animation Journey
Bob Clampett was captivated by the new world of sound cartoons. He wanted to work for Disney but they had enough animators. Instead, he interviewed with Harman-Ising Pictures. This studio made Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies for Leon Schlesinger.
Schlesinger was impressed by Bob's films and hired him as an assistant animator. Bob was only 17 years old at the time. His first job was animating characters in Lady, Play Your Mandolin! (1931). He also started sharing his story ideas for cartoons.
Joining Warner Bros. Cartoons
In 1933, Harman-Ising left Schlesinger. Schlesinger then started his own studio, Leon Schlesinger Productions. Clampett joined the new studio. He worked closely with Friz Freleng, who helped him become a skilled animator.
Schlesinger wanted a new popular cartoon character. He held a contest for ideas. Clampett drew a pig and a black cat, calling them "Clampett's Porky and Beans." This led to the creation of Porky Pig, who first appeared in 1935. Clampett also won a contest for the best original story, which became the cartoon My Green Fedora.
Creating Iconic Characters
Bob's success encouraged him to write more stories. Schlesinger decided to create another animation team. He paired Clampett with Tex Avery. They worked in a small, old building on the studio lot. This building was full of termites, so they jokingly called it "Termite Terrace." This name later became famous for describing the entire studio.
Avery and Clampett developed a fresh, funny animation style. This style made Warner Bros. cartoons stand out. Other animators like Chuck Jones joined them. They worked with great freedom, creating a fun and energetic atmosphere. In 1937, Avery created Daffy Duck for Porky's Duck Hunt, and Clampett animated the character for the very first time.
Directing Classic Cartoons
Bob Clampett was soon promoted to director in late 1936. He directed a colorful part of the movie When's Your Birthday? (1937). He also co-directed some early Porky Pig shorts with Chuck Jones.
In 1937, Clampett received his first official director credit for Porky's Badtime Story. He then got his own directing unit. This gave him full creative control over his films. However, he had to work within strict budget and time limits.
One of his most famous films from this time was Porky in Wackyland (1938). In this cartoon, Porky Pig goes to a strange, surreal land in Africa. He hunts a very wacky, reality-bending dodo bird. This film showed Clampett's unique and imaginative style.
Wartime Cartoons and New Ideas
During World War II, Clampett directed several cartoons to support the war effort. These included the Private Snafu series and shorts like Russian Rhapsody (1944).
Clampett also created the character of Tweety, who first appeared in A Tale of Two Kitties in 1942. His cartoons became even more wild and imaginative. They often ignored real-world physics, making his characters incredibly flexible and funny. Clampett was inspired by the Spanish artist Salvador Dalí, whose surreal style can be seen in films like Porky in Wackyland.
He also liked to include modern cultural trends in his cartoons, especially jazz music. He often referenced films, magazines, comics, and popular songs. Clampett was known for adding his own brief voices or sound effects to his cartoons. One of his trademarks was a "Bay-woop!" sound at the end of his cartoons.
Clampett left Warner Bros. in 1945. He was looking for new challenges and more creative freedom. His style was becoming very different from other directors at the studio.
From Cartoons to Television
After leaving Warner Bros., Clampett explored new opportunities. In 1946, he worked as a screenwriter for Screen Gems, an animation studio. He also started his own company, Bob Clampett Productions. He even directed a cartoon for Republic Pictures called It's a Grand Old Nag (1947).
The Success of Beany and Cecil
In 1949, Clampett turned his attention to television. He created the famous puppet show Time for Beany. This show was a huge hit and won Clampett three Emmys. Famous people like Groucho Marx and Albert Einstein were big fans of the series.
Later, Clampett created an animated version of the puppet show called Beany and Cecil. The first episodes aired in 1962 and were rerun for five years. This show is considered one of the first TV series where the creator had full control.
In his later years, Bob Clampett traveled to colleges and animation festivals. He gave talks about the history of animation. In 1975, he was featured in a documentary called Bugs Bunny: Superstar. This film explored the history of Warner Bros. cartoons. Clampett shared many of his drawings and home videos for the documentary.
Bob Clampett's Lasting Legacy
Bob Clampett passed away from a heart attack on May 2, 1984, just before his 71st birthday. He was promoting the home video release of Beany & Cecil cartoons at the time.
Awards and Recognition
Since 1984, the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award has been given out every year at the Eisner Awards. This award honors people who have made a positive impact.
Several of Clampett's cartoons have received special recognition. His film Tin Pan Alley Cats (1943) was chosen by the Library of Congress for a time capsule. It was seen as a great example of the music and culture of its time. Porky in Wackyland (1938) was also added to the National Film Registry in 2000. It was recognized for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
Influence on Animation
Animator John Kricfalusi, creator of The Ren & Stimpy Show, was greatly inspired by Clampett. Kricfalusi called Clampett his favorite animator. He said Clampett's The Great Piggy Bank Robbery (1946) completely changed his life.
Animation historian Leonard Maltin described Clampett's cartoons as "unmistakable." Many historians point to a scene in Porky's Duck Hunt as a defining Clampett moment. Maltin called it "a level of wackiness few moviegoers had ever seen."
Historian Charles Solomon noted the rubbery, flexible animation in all of Clampett's shorts. Maltin also highlighted their "energetic, comic anarchy." While his cartoons were not widely known for a while, their fame and praise have grown in recent decades.
Martha Sigall, who worked at Termite Terrace, remembered Clampett as an "enthusiastic and fun type of guy." She said he was always kind and generous. She also heard many stories about how Clampett helped and mentored others in the animation business.
Bob Clampett is survived by his three children, who continue to preserve his work. His children are Robert Clampett Jr., Ruth Clampett, and Cheri Clampett. The Clampett family auctioned off Bob Clampett's extensive collection of memorabilia in March 2025.
Filmography
Warner Bros
- When's Your Birthday? (1937) (animated sequence directed by Clampett)
- Directed many Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts between 1937 and 1946, including:
- Porky in Wackyland (1938)
- A Tale of Two Kitties (1942) (introduced Tweety)
- Tin Pan Alley Cats (1943)
- Russian Rhapsody (1944)
- The Great Piggy Bank Robbery (1946)
Republic Pictures
- It's a Grand Old Nag (1947) (credited as Kilroy)
See also
In Spanish: Bob Clampett para niños
