Leo D. Sullivan
Filed under: People, Animation Designer, Animator, Art Director, Director, Educator, Producer, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, Bob Clampett, Color, Educational films, Hanna-Barbera Studios, Racial representation, U.S.A., Walt Disney, Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros.,
Leo Sullivan
Occupation / Title:Animation Designer, Animator, Art Director, Director, Educator, Producer
Date of birth:Unknown
Birthplace:America
Biography
Leo D. Sullivan began his career in 1959 after graduating from the Chouinard Art Institute. He first worked as an assistant to Warner Bros. producer Bob Clampett on the television show, Beany and Cecil. In 1965, Sullivan met fellow animator Floyd Norman while working at Disney, and began a friendship and artistic collaboration that continues to this day. The pair left Disney the following year, and founded Vignette Films Inc., a production company that specialized in educational films and contract work.
In the years since, Sullivan has contributed his talents as an animator, director, and timer to a wide variety of animated television shows, including Fat Albert, Jabberjaw, The Adventure of Muhammad Ali, Scooby-Doo, The Flintstones, Flash Gordon, Mighty Mouse, Animaniacs, and The Incredible Hulk. He also animated the original opening of The Soul Train. Most recently, in 2016, he and Norman have launched AfroKids.com with the goal of creating and distributing media with positive representation and role models for Black children. He is currently in the process of financing an interactive e-novel about the Tuskegee Airmen.
References:
“About Us.” AfroKids, afrokids.com/about.html. Accessed 9 Feb. 2021.
“Funky Turns 40: Sista ToFunky’s Interview With Leo Sullivan.” Museum of Uncut Funk, 18 Feb. 2014, museumofuncutfunk.com/2014/02/18/funky-turns-40-sista-tofunkys-interview-with-leo-sullivan.
“Leo D. Sullivan.” IMDb, www.imdb.com/name/nm0838214. Accessed 9 Feb. 2021.
“Our Founder.” AfroKids, afrokids.com/leodsullivan.html. Accessed 9 Feb. 2021.
“Two Seasoned Animators of the Original Soul Train, Scooby Doo and Fat Albert Team Up to Bring Life to AfroKids.com.” BlackNews, 19 Oct. 2016, blacknews.com/news/animators-floyd-norman-leo-sulivan-team-up-afrokids-com.