January 08, 2007

Remembering Iwao Takamoto (1925-2007)

Iwao Takamoto

With Iwao Takamoto's passing, I thought it would be an appropriate time to share this interview I conducted with him in January 1999. It was originally published in ANIMATION BLAST #3. In our chat, Iwao discusses being interned in the US during World War II because of his Japanese ancestry, working with Milt Kahl at Disney, and his illustrious career at Hanna-Barbera. He was a top-notch draftsman, and in my limited dealings with him, always a friendly and affable fellow. As a sidenote, you'll notice that Iwao mentions Tom Oreb briefly during the interview, and if I recall correctly, Iwao was the first person to truly make me aware of Tom's work.

(click on the images for large versions)

Takamoto interview

Takamoto interview

Takamoto interview

Takamoto interview

UPDATE: More remembrances of Iwao appearing online:

Eric Homan remembers working with Iwao at Hanna-Barbera and shares one of his drawings.

Patrick Owsley shares an Iwao Takamoto pencil drawing and the inked version that he did of it at WB Consumer Products.


Posted by AMID at January 8, 2007 06:43 PM