Barry Caldwell Dies At 68: Animaniacs, Pinky And The Brain Animator Passes Away

Barry Caldwell, veteran animator, director, and storyboard artist, known for his work on Animaniacs, Osmosis Jones, Tiny Toon Adventures, Pinky and the Brain and many more, has passed away. He was 68.

Caldwell's death was confirmed by his colleague, friend and fellow animator Paul Dini in a Facebook post. He was informed about Caldwell’s demise by Dan Haskett, an animator and art director. 

Barry Caldwell dies; Paul Dini pays tribute

“Barry Caldwell was one of the first animation artists I met when I started my career fresh out of school way back around 1980. He was also one of the finest artists I ever met, and easily one of the best people. The man’s talent as a cartoonist, designer and director was revered throughout the industry,” wrote Dini, referring to Caldwell as a “a genial giant of a guy that you liked from the moment you met him” who “knew more about cartoons than you or I ever will (trust me on this), yet he was incredibly generous with his time and his talent.” 

“Barry was admired, celebrated and loved by just about everyone, myself included, for many more reasons than I can list here. Gonna miss you, pally,” Dini wrote further.

Who was Barry Caldwell?

Born on June 19, 1957, in New York City, Caldwell started his art career in 1980 with an episode of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. He then worked as a storyboard artist on TV series including The New Adventures of Zorro, Blackstar, The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, The Smurfs and Alvin & the Chipmunks.

In the 2000s, he worked on the series Clifford the Big Red Dog, Kim Possible and more. Osmosis Jones, The Tigger Movie, Mulan II and Curious George are some of his films from the 2001s.

Caldwell attended the School of Visual Arts before working across major studios, including Filmation, Ruby-Spears, Warner Bros. Animation, Walt Disney Television Studios, and DreamWorks, leaving an enduring legacy in the field of animation.