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Roobarb animator Bob Godfrey dies aged 91 Roobarb animator Bob Godfrey dies aged 91
(7 months later)
Bob Godfrey, animator of the much-loved cartoons Roobarb and Henry's Cat, has died aged 91. Godfrey died just five days after Richard Briers, 79, who narrated the successful series.Bob Godfrey, animator of the much-loved cartoons Roobarb and Henry's Cat, has died aged 91. Godfrey died just five days after Richard Briers, 79, who narrated the successful series.
During a career spanning 50 years, Godfrey's successes also included the children's classic Noah and Nelly in … Skyl-Ark. He won an Oscar for his short film Great, a tongue-in-cheek biography of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and was awarded three Baftas and an MBE. He also presented the BBC's The Do It Yourself Animation Show. Born in Australia, but educated in east London, his "adult animations" included Henry 9 to 5 and Kama Sutra Rides Again.During a career spanning 50 years, Godfrey's successes also included the children's classic Noah and Nelly in … Skyl-Ark. He won an Oscar for his short film Great, a tongue-in-cheek biography of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and was awarded three Baftas and an MBE. He also presented the BBC's The Do It Yourself Animation Show. Born in Australia, but educated in east London, his "adult animations" included Henry 9 to 5 and Kama Sutra Rides Again.
Custard, the cat from the cartoon Roobarb, was among his best-loved creations. The 1974 cartoon about a warring cat and dog, with its memorable theme tune, attracted a cult following.Custard, the cat from the cartoon Roobarb, was among his best-loved creations. The 1974 cartoon about a warring cat and dog, with its memorable theme tune, attracted a cult following.
Godfrey worked on commercials and TV commissions into his early 80s. Both Terry Gilliam, of Monty Python fame, and Nick Park, creater of Wallace and Gromit, have said he was a significant influence.Godfrey worked on commercials and TV commissions into his early 80s. Both Terry Gilliam, of Monty Python fame, and Nick Park, creater of Wallace and Gromit, have said he was a significant influence.
Peter Lord, a co-founder of Aardman Animations, tweeted: "Ah! Dear old Bob Godfrey is no more. A great influence and inspiration to me and my generation of animators. Also a lovely bloke."Peter Lord, a co-founder of Aardman Animations, tweeted: "Ah! Dear old Bob Godfrey is no more. A great influence and inspiration to me and my generation of animators. Also a lovely bloke."
Godfrey began his professional career as a graphic artist working in advertising, before joining the innovative Larkin Studio in the early 1950s, where he made his earliest cartoons.Godfrey began his professional career as a graphic artist working in advertising, before joining the innovative Larkin Studio in the early 1950s, where he made his earliest cartoons.
In the mid-1950s, he joined up with Jeff Hale and Keith Learner, and later Nancy Hanna and Vera Linnecar, to form Biographic Films, making some of the first commercials for ITV.In the mid-1950s, he joined up with Jeff Hale and Keith Learner, and later Nancy Hanna and Vera Linnecar, to form Biographic Films, making some of the first commercials for ITV.
As a teacher of animation, he told the Guardian in 2001: "I teach the basics of animation, then it's up to the individual.As a teacher of animation, he told the Guardian in 2001: "I teach the basics of animation, then it's up to the individual.
"Great illustrators don't always make great animators. I've known people who couldn't draw at all who were great animators. You can always spot the ones with real talent. They don't listen to you.""Great illustrators don't always make great animators. I've known people who couldn't draw at all who were great animators. You can always spot the ones with real talent. They don't listen to you."
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