Woody Woodpecker creator was born this day of the year 1899

Walter Lantz one of the best classic cartoon creators of all time, was born in New Rochelle, New York on April 27, 1899. He was head of his own animation studio. He introduced the first Technicolor cartoons and created Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Andy Panda, Chilly Willy, Woody Woodpecker, Wally Walrus and the Beary Family.

When the new cartoon entitled "Knock knock" with Woody Woodpecker was presented the head of the Universal short subjects department, Bernie Kreiser, rejected it, telling Lantz that the woodpecker was the ugliest thing he had ever seen. "You're not paying for these pictures". The rest of the story we all can imagine in face of the sucess of this great crazy redheaded woodpecker. Walter Lantz built a multimillion-dollar cartoon empire and a respected worldwide reputation with the creation of this irascible woodpecker.

Lantz was honored in 1959 by the Los Angeles City Council as "one of America's most outstanding animated film cartoonists." In 1973, the international animation society, ASIFA/Hollywood, presented him with its Annie award.

Walter Lantz died in Burbank, California of heart failure, on March 22, 1994.

Walter Lantz in Wikipedia
Walter Lantz in IMDb
A tribute to Walter Lantz in About
The Walter Lantz Cartune Encyclopedia

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