Frank Braxton facts for kids

Frank Cavalier Braxton Jr. (born March 31, 1929 – died June 1, 1969) was an amazing African-American animator and director. He worked in the animation world from the early 1950s to the late 1960s. Frank Braxton was one of the very first black animators hired by two huge animation studios: Disney and Warner Bros..

Frank C. Braxton Jr.: Animation Pioneer

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Frank C. Braxton Jr. was born on March 31, 1929. When he was a little boy, he really loved to draw. He was often seen carrying his sketchbook. In it, he would draw pictures of everyday life in L.A. during the 1930s and 1940s.

When Frank was a senior at Manual Arts High School in 1947, he filled the school yearbook with his drawings. These drawings showed what school life was like back then.

Starting His Animation Career

In the early 1950s, Frank Braxton got his first chance in animation. He was hired by Disney as a trainee. However, he only stayed there for a few months.

Soon after leaving Disney, Braxton started his animation career again at Warner Bros.. He worked alongside another animator named Ben Washam. Braxton and Washam had met before in singing classes at LA City College. At that time, Washam was already an animator in Chuck Jones's animation team at Warner Bros.

When Frank Braxton showed Washam his art portfolio, Washam was very impressed. To help Braxton get hired at Warner Bros., Washam even made up a story. He spread a rumor that the company was being unfair and not hiring black animators. This made Eddie Selzer, who was the head of the studio, angry. This rumor helped make sure Braxton got hired.

Working at Warner Bros.

Frank Braxton did not have much animation experience at first. So, he spent his first two years at Warner Bros. learning with other new hires. As he got better at drawing and animating, he became Washam's assistant. Because of his talent, many cartoons from Chuck Jones's team in the mid-1950s included Braxton's work.

After working with Chuck Jones and at Warner Bros., Braxton moved on. He worked for animation director Bill Hurtz. He even managed a cartoon studio in Barcelona, Spain, for a while.

Directing and Leading in Hollywood

When Frank Braxton returned to the United States, he became very successful as an animator. He worked at MGM on the famous theatrical Tom and Jerry cartoon shorts. He also directed episodes of The Bullwinkle Show and Mr. Magoo.

In 1960, Frank Braxton made history. He became the president of the Screen Cartoonist's Guild. This made him the first black president of any Hollywood film union. His mentor, Ben Washam, who had been president of the union twice, encouraged Braxton to get more involved.

Later Projects and Legacy

In 1967, Braxton helped create the Peanuts specials, which were based on the popular comic strip. In the same year, he animated two Charlie Brown TV specials: You’re in Love, Charlie Brown and He’s Your Dog, Charlie Brown. He worked on these with Bill Melendez, who was also a Warner Bros. veteran.

Frank Braxton also directed Jay Ward's TV series, George of the Jungle. He even worked on early commercials for Cap'n Crunch cereal. Sadly, Frank Braxton died of cancer in 1969 when he was just 40 years old. He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Los Angeles. His last animated project, a movie called A Boy Named Charlie Brown, was released in the same year he passed away.

On February 2, 2019, Frank Braxton was given a special award. It was the Winsor McCay Award from ASIFA (the International Animated Film Association). This award is given to people who have made huge contributions to the art of animation throughout their lives or careers.