James Baxter (animator)

James Baxter is a British animator best known for his work on both traditionally animated and computer-animated films and television shows. He is recognized for his fluid, elegant, and often humorous animation style.

Baxter began his career at Walt Disney Animation Studios in the late 1980s, contributing to films such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. He served as a supervising animator, bringing to life iconic characters and sequences.

Following his tenure at Disney, Baxter transitioned to DreamWorks Animation, where he worked on films like The Prince of Egypt, The Road to El Dorado, and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. His roles at DreamWorks included character design and supervising animation.

In 2008, Baxter founded his own independent animation studio, James Baxter Animation, in Los Angeles. This allowed him to explore a wider range of projects and styles, including commercial work and independent short films. He also became known for his personal animation tests and experiments, which he often shared online, showcasing his continued passion for the craft.

Baxter has also contributed to animated television shows, including the Cartoon Network series Adventure Time, where he designed and animated the recurring character "James Baxter the Horse," a character inspired by his own name and animation style. He also worked on Klaus (Netflix) and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, contributing to character design and animation direction.

Baxter's work is highly regarded within the animation industry, and he is considered a master of traditional animation principles. His influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary animators.