Frank Braxton

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Full Name:

Frank Braxton

Occupation / Title:

,

Date of birth:

31/03/1929

Date of death:

01/06/1989

Birthplace:

USA

Biography


Frank C. Braxton, Jr. is an animator and director who holds the distinction of being the first black animator hired at both Disney and Warner Bros. In 1960, he was elected president of the Screen Cartoonist’s Guild. Braxton worked at Disney in the early 1950s but was laid off after a few months. He was hired at Warner Bros. afterwards, where he contributed to films such as From A to Z-Z-Z-Z (1954), One Froggy Evening (1955), and Broom-Stick Bunny (1956). He eventually left Warner Bros. to work with various other studios such as MGM, Jay Ward Productions, Format Films, and Bill Melendez Productions.

Career outline


In the early 1950s, Braxton was hired at Walt Disney Studios, but was laid off after a few months. He then worked at  Warner Bros. as an assistant to animator Ben Washam. He contributed to films such as From A to Z-Z-Z-Z (1954), One Froggy Evening (1955), and Broom-Stick Bunny (1956).

After leaving Warner Bros., Braxton began working with various studios including MGM, Jay Ward Productions, Format Films, and Bill Melendez Productions.

Braxton was elected president of the Screen Cartoonist’s Guild in 1960, making more film history as one of the first black persons to be elected president of any Hollywood film union.

Braxton died of cancer in 1969.

References:


Amidi, Amid. “The Remarkable Life of Frank Braxton, Hollywood’s First Black Animator.” Cartoon Brew, 27 Feb. 2016, https://www.cartoonbrew.com/animators/remarkable-life-frank-braxton-hollywoods-first-black-animator-137356.html.




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