Mister Bugs Bunny dies

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Feb 24, 2002 | by JAMES HARPER

ANIMATOR Chuck Jones, who created such classic cartoon characters as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd and Porky Pig, has died aged 89.

He died of heart failure at his home in the US.

Jones worked on more than 300 films in a career spanning over 60 years.

Three of his movies won Academy Awards and he was awarded an honorary Oscar in 1996 for lifetime achievement.

He also received an honorary life membership from the Directors Guild of America.

While working at Warner Brothers, Jones created the speedy, beep- beeping Road Runner and his hapless pursuer, Wile E. Coyote.

He also drew Pepe le Pew, the romantic skunk with a French accent.

Director Steven Spielberg once said: "Chuck Jones' originality, his humour and his pacing still have no peer today."

Born in 1912 in Spokane, Washington, Jones moved to Hollywood with his family, finding work there as a child extra in Mac Sennett comedies.

In 1932, he worked for legendary Disney animator Ub Iwerks.

He later became an animator at the Leon Schlesinger Studio, which was later sold to Warner Bros.

He headed up his own unit at the Warner Bros. Animation Department until it closed in 1962.

He also worked at MGM Studios, creating episodes for Tom and Jerry.

His autobiography was published in 1989 followed two years later by a second book.