You might not bang the name Will Vinton . But if you grew up watching TV in the eighties and ninety , you unquestionably have it off his work . Vinton was the genius behind claymation characters like the California Raisins , the Domino ’s Noid , and the M&M ’s before they were take over by CGI . Vinton died yesterday of cancer after a 12 - year fighting . He was 70 old age old .
The claymation of Vinton serve specify an era of popular metier , with the singe California Raisins , an incredible striking that depart as a telly ad for the California Raisin Advisory Board in 1986 .
The raisin characters , known for singing Marvin Gaye ’s “ I get word It Through the Grapevine , ” were so popular that they appear on everything from lunchboxes and thyroxine - shirt to spin - offvideo gamesfor Nintendo .
But the California Raisins were n’t Vinton ’s first hit . Vinton won an Academy Award for his work co - directing the 1974 scant filmClosed Mondays . He went on to found Will Vinton Productions in Portland , Oregon and worked on projects for Michael Jackson , including videos for Moonwalker , and theCaptain EOattraction at Disney World .
AsCartoon Brewnotes , Vinton is even credited with coming up with the terminal figure “ claymation ” and trademarked the word . But as Ad Ageexplains , the hike of computer animation by companies like Pixar helped strangle the requirement for stop move animation by the 2000s . Vinton ’s most recent workplace included projects like the graphic novel Jack Hightower .
Vinton ’s tike released a statement toCartoon Brewabout his death :
This morning our founder , Will Vinton , pass off forth fence in by love from his kin . Will had endured a 12 class struggle with Multiple Myeloma , although you never would have known of this conflict . For the vast majority of that time he continued forrad in his liveliness with long suit , incontrovertibility , and humor , enjoying tropic get - aways , shepherd Modern originative ventures , and caring for his two sons , daughter and wife . Will was the strongest human we have ever known , both in his work ethic and his genial resolution . He always said , “ Do near body of work and everything else will follow , ” and he never gave up on the things that were important to him . He saw the world as an imaginative playground full of fantasy , joyousness , and character . He instilled in us the bully values of creativity , speciality , and pride in single own work . He created storey and theatrical role filled with laughter , medicine , and powerful object lesson that are globally beloved . He brightened any room with his key signature mustache , and he continued to make jokes and laugh until the very goal . His work will hold up on in animation history and will continue to inspire creative creative thinker and maker .
We aggrieve to a great extent as our dad impart a jam in our lives that will be impossible to fill . His indirect request were for us to extend the undertaking he had started ; we will try our best to do so . We will honor him in our own work and strive to always embody his deterrent example . We ask that his passing be a celebration of his life and work . He would n’t want us to be pitiful or warn , but rather to celebrate the curiosity and beauty of life in his name . We ask for support and understanding for our family during this time .
We love you Dad – Billy , Jesse & Alex
There ’s a infotainment about Vinton titledWelcome to My Daydream , and you’re able to watch the trailerhere .
RIP Will Vinton . Your work touch every American who spent any time in front of a TV during the 1980s and ninety .
[ Cartoon BrewandAd Age ]
AnimationClaymationDominos
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