Rusty Mills

Rusty Mills
Born
Russell P. Mills

(1962-12-16)December 16, 1962
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedDecember 7, 2012(2012-12-07) (aged 49)
California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Animator, director, producer
Years active1980–2012
SpouseAndrea Mills
Children1

Russell P. "Rusty" Mills (c. December 16, 1962 – December 7, 2012) was an American animator, director and producer. A Primetime Emmy winner, Mills was best known for his work with Warner Bros. Animation, including Animaniacs, Tiny Toon Adventures, and Pinky and the Brain.[1][2] Mills was a five time Emmy winner, receiving one Primetime Emmy and four Daytime Emmy awards.[1][2]

Early life and career

Mills, a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts high school in 1980.[2] He then completed his studies at California Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles after high school.[1][2] He worked as a freelance animator following college before joining Warner Bros. Animation, where he worked for approximately ten years.[2] His production credits with Warner Bros. included Tiny Toon Adventures and Animaniacs, which he worked on directly with Steven Spielberg one of the show's producers.[2]

In 1996, Mills won a Primetime Emmy Award for his work on "A Pinky and the Brain Christmas," a Christmas episode of the animated television series, Pinky and the Brain, which aired in December 1995.[1] Mills had directed that particular holiday episode of the series. During his career, Mills also won four Daytime Emmys and received eight Emmy nominations.[1]

Mills' additional television animated credits included Garfield's Thanksgiving in 1989, Pinky, Elmyra & the Brain, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman, Pink Panther and Pals, and The Replacements.[1] His last credited work was for the 2011 animated television special, A Very Pink Christmas, with the Pink Panther.[1]

Death

Mills died from colon cancer on December 7, 2012, at the age of 49.[2][3][4][5] He is survived by his wife, Andrea; son, Evan; his mother, Janet Mills; and sister, Linda Hough.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Rusty Mills, director on Warner animated series, dies at 49 - Credits include 'Animaniacs,' 'Pinky and the Brain'". Variety. 2012-12-10. Retrieved 2012-12-31.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Hall, Melissa (2012-12-08). "Rusty Mills, film animator, dies at 49". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved 2012-12-31.
  3. ^ "Animator Rusty Mills Dies at 49". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
  4. ^ "Animation Veteran Rusty Mills Dies at 49". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
  5. ^ Beck, Jerry (2012-12-08). "Rusty Mills, RIP". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved 2024-06-19.

WIA/LA Joins Community To Help Rusty Mills