Arthur Rankin Jr., the man responsible for the most beloved stop-motion of the ‘60s and ‘70s, has died. Along with fellow producer-director Jules Bass, the animator redefined what an entire generation of American families watch at Christmas. Using their signature combination of painstaking cel-animation and a lot of whimsy, the two brought to life beloved classics like Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Rankin was 89 years old when he passed away in his Bermuda home on Thursday, The Hollywood Reporter writes.
Below, watch some favorite moments from the Ranking/Bass catalogue, along with a rare interview in which Rankin discusses his successful creative process. Certainly, we’ll remember him fondly every time these specials air.
