Leo D. Sullivan, an animator, designer, writer and director whose trailblazing career spanned more than 60 years, died March 25 due to heart failure at age 82. The news was confirmed by his wife, Ethelyn O. Stewart Sullivan.
Part of the latter 20th century vanguard of Black American animators, Sullivan worked on iconic series such as Fat Albert, the Scooby-Doo franchise, Beanie and Cecil, Flash Gordon, The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse, My Little Pony and The Transformers, as well as the animated intro for Soul Train. Towards the turn of the Millennium, he helped bring the ’90s favorites Tiny Toon Adventures and Animaniacs to the screen, as well as Taz-Mania, C-Bear and Jamal, The Incredible Hulk, Dumb and Dumber and Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventures animated series.
Born in Lockhart, Texas, Sullivan moved to Los Angeles in 1952 and got an early start in the animation business, scoring a gig as a runner for Looney Tunes legend Bob Clampett, working his way up the ladder at Bob Clampett Productions to become a cel polisher, then an artist and animator. He went on to work for other top studios, such as Hanna-Barber and Warner Bros.
In 1960, Sullivan joined forces with former Disney animator and fellow icon of Black animation Floyd Norman to form Vignette Films, where the duo created films designed to educate American students about important figures in Black history. The studio partnered with L.A. television station KIIX-TV, creating a number of logo animations and commercials, including the first logo for Soul Train.
Educating and inspiring Black children and youth was of great importance to Sullivan, who went on to found Leo Sullivan Multimedia and its namesake foundation, dedicated to teaching animation and video game development to kids. Through LSM, Sullivan launched the AfroKids brand, which carries “the mission of building Black children’s self-esteem and cultural awareness.” The brand includes an interactive website and VOD channel.
Sullivan was twice honored with an Award of Recognition (with Norman) from the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, and won an Emmy Award as a timing director in 1992. Just last summer, Sullivan joined Norman to form the centerpiece of Nickelodeon/Paramount Animation’s “Great Day in Animation” photo, recreating the iconic 1958 Art Kane photo of jazz musicians “A Great Day in Harlem” with Black animation professionals.
Sullivan is survived by his wife, Ethelyn, who was his partner in both life and profession as part of Vignette, LSM and AfroKids; daughter, Tina Coleman; and son, Leo D. Sullivan Jr.
