Robert Cannon

Biography

Robert Cannon (July 16, 1909 - June 9, 1964) was an American animator.

Robert 'Bobo' Cannon was born in Ohio. Not much is known about his early life, including the city he was born in. He began his animation career at Leon Schlesinger Productions in 1934, assisting ace animators Robert Clampett and Chuck Jones. After a two-year apprenticeship, he graduated to full animator.

Cannon became an integral part of that anarchic Warner Brothers in-house cartoon outfit, known as 'Termite Terrace' (due to its cramped and austere quarters). In the process, he labored on such iconic Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies characters as Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, and Elmer Fudd. He animated for Tex Avery, Clampett and Jones from 1936 to 1944, after which he became co-founder and a leading light in the innovative United Productions of America (UPA). Unlike at Warners, UPA allowed him to direct, including cartoons featuring the famous character of Mr. Magoo.

Cannon later taught animation at San Fernando Valley State College and was awarded in 1976 with the International Film Society's Winsor McCay Award for Lifetime Achievement. He died at the age of 54 in 1964 due to a heart attack.

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