Don Figlozzi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Don Figlozzi |
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Don Figlozzi
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| Born | Donald Figlozzi January 17, 1909 Brooklyn, New York City, United States |
| Died | June 21, 1981 |
| Nationality | Italian American |
| Area(s) | Animator, Cartoonist, Illustrator |
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Notable works
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Popeye, FIGure This, Scramblegrams, Thumper, Jiminy Cricket |
| Awards | Time magazine As Seen By |
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Don Figlozzi (born January 17, 1909 – died June 21, 1981) was a talented American animator and cartoonist. He was known for bringing characters to life through drawings. Don worked for famous animation studios like Fleischer Studios. Later, he drew cartoons for the New York Daily News newspaper. His drawings were often signed "Fig." Some people even think he made the very first animations for television!
Contents
Who Was Don Figlozzi?
Early Life and Learning
Don Figlozzi was born in Brooklyn, New York City. His parents, Frank and Constantina, were immigrants from Italy. Don loved art from a young age. He studied at several art schools, including Pratt Institute and Cooper Union. He learned how to draw cartoons and bring them to life.
Working at Fleischer Studios
In May 1931, Don Figlozzi joined Fleischer Studios. This was a very famous animation company. While there, he worked as an animator on the popular Popeye cartoons. He helped make Popeye, Olive Oyl, and Bluto move and tell their stories.
Helping During World War II
During World War II, Don used his animation skills to help his country. He worked on special training films for the Army Signal Corps. These films helped soldiers learn important skills.
Pioneering TV Animation
Don Figlozzi became the Graphic Art Director for WPIX TV. This was a big step in his career. He was one of the first people to create animations specifically for television. This was a new and exciting way to use his talents.
Working for Disney
Don Figlozzi also worked as an animator for The Walt Disney Company. This was another major animation studio. He helped create some very famous characters. He worked on Thumper from Bambi and Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio. These characters are still loved by many people today.
Drawing for the Daily News
After his animation career, Don Figlozzi started working for the New York Daily News. He became a well-known cartoonist for the newspaper. He drew pictures for different writers' columns. He also created his own funny cartoon series called FIGure This. His cartoons, signed "Fig," were a regular part of the newspaper.
Awards and Recognition
Don Figlozzi was recognized for his amazing talent. He won prizes in Time magazine's "As Seen By" cartoon contest. He was also a member of the National Cartoonists Society. This is a group for professional cartoonists in the United States.
