Richard Williams (animator)

Richard Williams (19 March 1933 – 16 August 2019) was a Canadian-British animator, animation director, and author, best known for his work on Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), for which he won two Academy Awards.

Williams began his career in animation in the 1950s, initially creating independent short films and commercials. He established his own animation studio, Richard Williams Animation Ltd., in London, which became one of the most respected animation studios in the world.

His studio worked on numerous commercially successful projects, including title sequences for films such as What's New Pussycat? (1965), Casino Royale (1967), and The Return of the Pink Panther (1975). Williams also produced and directed animated commercials for major brands.

A passionate advocate for classical animation techniques, Williams spent decades working on his ambitious, unfinished film The Thief and the Cobbler. The film suffered numerous production delays and was eventually taken away from him and completed by other animators with significant alterations.

Beyond his film work, Williams was a renowned animation teacher and author. His book, The Animator's Survival Kit, is widely considered a definitive guide to animation principles and techniques and is used by animators worldwide.

Williams received numerous awards throughout his career, including three Academy Awards, three British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), and numerous Annie Awards. His contributions to the field of animation have had a lasting impact on the industry.