Pete Burness
Wilson D. "Pete" Burness (June 16, 1904–July 1969) was an American animator and animation director, and winner of two Academy Awards.[1] He was perhaps best known for his work on the Mr. Magoo series. He also contributed to the Tom and Jerry series, Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies, and Rocky and His Friends.[1]
His animation career began in 1931, working for Romer Grey and Ted Eshbaugh on Goofy Goat Antics and the unreleased Binko the Cub.[1] In 1933 he transferred to Van Beuren Studios, where he animated the film adaption of The Little King.[1] In 1936 Burness transferred to Harman-Ising, and in 1938 to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, where he animated Tom and Jerry until 1945.[1]
Burness worked briefly for Warner Brothers in 1948 and 1949, animating a number of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts.[1] He left Warner to become a director for United Productions of America, animating the popular Mr. Magoo series; two of his Mr. Magoo shorts, When Magoo Flew (1954) and Mr. Magoo's Puddle Jumper (1956) won Academy Awards for Best Short Subject.[2]
In 1958 Burness left UPA to join Jay Ward Productions as director of Rocky and his Friends and Hoppity Hopper.[2] While working for Jay Ward he was co-wrote, and was hired to direct, 1001 Arabian Nights, featuring Mr. Magoo. Following disputes with producer Stephen Bosustow he left the project and was replaced by Jack Kinney.[2]
Burness died of cancer in 1969.[2]
References
- Lenburg, Jeff (2006), Who's who in Animated Cartoons, Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard Corporation
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