Biography of Tex Avery

Early Life

Tex Avery was an American animator, director, and voice actor. He began his career as an animator at Walter Lantz Productions, where he worked on the "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit" series in the early 1930s. Avery quickly rose through the ranks and became a director, helming two films. He was born and raised in Taylor, Texas, and graduated from North Dallas High School in 1927. Avery's high school was known for popularizing the phrase "What's up, doc?" which he later popularized by giving it to the character Bugs Bunny.

Career at Walter Lantz Productions

Avery's career as an animator began at Walter Lantz Productions, where he worked on the "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit" series in the early 1930s. During his time at Lantz, Avery worked his way up to the position of director and helmed two films. However, he suffered a partial loss of vision in his left eye after being hit by a paperclip thrown by animator Charles Hastings. This loss of binocular vision gave Avery a unique perspective, which he used to develop his own distinctive style of animation.

Move to Leon Schlesinger Studio

In late 1935, Avery moved to Leon Schlesinger Studio, where he convinced Schlesinger to give him his own department. Avery was put in charge of a team of animators, including Bob Clampett and Chuck Jones. Schlesinger also assigned the department to a secluded 5-room bungalow to avoid disturbing their predecessor, Tom Palmer.

Termite Terrace and Looney Tunes

Avery's department, known as "Termite Terrace," started working on the black and white "Looney Tunes" series. The nickname "Termite Terrace" later became synonymous with the entire Schlesinger/Warner Bros. studio, thanks to Avery and his team's influence on the future of animation. The department's first film, "Gold Diggers of '49," introduced the character Porky Pig and marked the beginning of Avery's experiments in animation.

Creation of Iconic Characters

Avery's film "Porky's Duck Hunt" introduced the character Daffy Duck, who had a unique and manic personality unseen in animation before. Another milestone was the film "A Wild Hare," which featured a character later named Bugs Bunny. Avery's perfectionism played a significant role in the production process as he created jokes, provided voice work, and timed the films to perfection.

Career at MGM

In 1942, Avery joined MGM and reached the peak of his creativity. His films were known for their absurdity, fast-paced action, and innovative animation techniques. He introduced iconic characters like Droopy, a slow-moving but ultimately victorious dog. Avery's films at MGM, such as "Red Hot Riding Hood" and "Magical Maestro," pushed the boundaries of animation and indulged in chaotic and expressively artistic styles.

Later Career and Legacy

After leaving MGM in 1953, Avery returned to Walter Lantz Productions for a brief period before retiring from animation. He later worked in television commercials, including the famous "Raid" ad, featuring animated insects that explode after being sprayed. Avery's last employer was Hanna-Barbera Productions, where he wrote jokes for Saturday morning shows. He battled depression throughout the 1960s and 1970s but continued to be respected for his previous work. Tex Avery passed away on August 26, 1980, at the age of 72 due to lung cancer. He was buried in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills.

Animator