Norm Prescott facts for kids

Norm Prescott (born Norman Zachary Pransky; January 31, 1927 – July 2, 2005) was a very important person in the world of cartoons! He helped start a famous animation studio called Filmation Associates. He created this studio with his friend, a talented animator named Lou Scheimer. Filmation made many of the animated shows and movies you might know.

Norm Prescott's Amazing Career

Norm Prescott was born Norman Zachary Pransky in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1927. His family was from Poland. He went to Boston Latin School and then to Boston University.

Norm started his career as a disc jockey (DJ) around 1947. He worked at several radio stations, including WHEB and WHDH. In 1955, he joined WBZ radio. He was part of a group of DJs known as the "Live Five."

In 1959, Norm left radio to work for a company called Embassy Pictures Corporation. There, he was in charge of music, selling merchandise, and finishing films. A few years later, in 1963, he teamed up with Lou Scheimer and Hal Sutherland to create their own animation studio, Filmation.

Famous Cartoons and Shows

Filmation became known for making many popular animated TV shows and movies. Norm Prescott was a key producer for these projects. Here are some of the cool shows and films Filmation worked on:

• 1965 Pinocchio in Outer Space (a movie made with Belgium)
• 1966 The New Adventures of Superman
• 1967 Journey to the Center of the Earth
• 1968 Fantastic Voyage
• 1968 The Batman/Superman Hour
• 1968 The Archie Show
• 1969 The Hardy Boys
• 1970 Will the Real Jerry Lewis Please Sit Down
• 1970 The Groovie Goolies
• 1970 Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
• 1972 The Brady Kids
• 1973 Star Trek: The Animated Series
• 1973 Lassie's Rescue Rangers
• 1973 My Favorite Martians
• 1974 The U.S. of Archie
• 1974 The New Adventures of Gilligan
• 1975 The Original Ghostbusters
• 1976 Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle
• 1976 Ark II
• 1978 Tarzan and the Super 7
• 1978 Fabulous Funnies

Other Creative Projects

Besides the shows listed above, Norm Prescott also worked on other animated projects. He produced and directed the 1973 animated movie Treasure Island. He also produced and wrote Journey Back to Oz in 1974. In that movie, the famous singer and actress Liza Minnelli was the voice of Dorothy. Interestingly, Liza Minnelli's mother, Judy Garland, played Dorothy in the classic 1939 live-action film The Wizard of Oz.

Norm Prescott was also a producer for many other cartoons. These included The Secret Lives of Waldo Kitty, The Space Sentinels, and The New Adventures of Flash Gordon. He even did a voice for a character named Theodore H. Bear in the Quacula episodes of The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse and Heckle and Jeckle. Some of his other works include Sport Billy, The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show, and Blackstar.

Later Life and Legacy

Norm Prescott passed away on July 2, 2005, in Los Angeles, California. He was 78 years old. He left behind his wife, Elaine, whom he had been married to for 53 years, and his two sons, Jeffrey and Michael. Norm Prescott's work at Filmation helped create many beloved animated shows that are still remembered today.