Hugh Harman (July 9, 1903 – December 30, 1982) was an American animator, director, and producer best known for co‑founding the animation studio Harman‑Ising, which produced a number of early sound cartoons for Warner Bros. and later for Metro‑Goldwyn‑Mayer (MGM). He was a pioneer of the American animation industry and worked closely with notable contemporaries such as Rudolf Ising, Walt Disney, and Ub Iwerks.
Early life and education
Born in Hoquiam, Washington, Harman showed an early interest in drawing and animation. He attended the Los Angeles School of Art and Design, where he met future collaborator Rudolf Ising.
Career
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Early work with Disney: In the early 1920s, Harman and Ising joined the Walt Disney studio, contributing to the Alice Comedies and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit series. They left Disney in 1926 following a dispute over salary and creative control.
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Formation of Harman‑Ising: In 1929, Harmon and Ising established their own studio, initially producing the Song‑Sync series of cartoons for the newly formed Warner Bros. studio. Their first successful series, Looney Tunes (debuting with "Sinkin' in the Bathtub"), featured characters such as Bosko and established a template for musical short subjects.
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Work for MGM: After a contractual fallout with Warner Bros. in 1933, the studio shifted to MGM, where Harman‑Ising produced the Happy Harmonies series, a precursor to the later Tom and Jerry cartoons. Harman continued producing and directing animated shorts for MGM throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
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Later years: In the 1950s, Harman attempted to revive his studio with the Tom & Jerry spin‑off The Tom and Jerry Show, but the venture was short‑lived. He retired from active production in the early 1960s, though he remained a consultant for animation projects until his death.
Personal life
Harman married Lillian (née Victor) in 1925; the couple had one son, Hugh Jr. He resided primarily in California during his career.
Legacy
Hugh Harman is recognized for his contributions to early sound animation and for establishing foundational practices in cartoon production, including synchronization of music and action, character design, and studio organization. His work helped shape the direction of American animated short films, influencing later animators and studios.
References
- Lenburg, Jeff. The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Checkmark Books, 1999.
- Barrier, Michael. Hollywood Cartoons: American Animation in Its Golden Age. Oxford University Press, 1999.
- "Hugh Harman." Animator Profiles, Animation Research Library, 2022.
