RIP, Maureen Mlynarczyk, Animation Timer On ‘Steven Universe’ And ‘Adventure Time’

Maureen Mlynarczyk, an animation timer whose career spanned two decades and seven Emmy nominations, died aged 47 on February 16, 2020. The cause of death was colon cancer.

As a timer and timing director, Mlynarczyk worked for some of the foremost animation studios in the U.S., including Cartoon Network (Adventure Time, Steven Universe, Clarence, Victor and Valentino), Fox Television Animation (Family Guy, The Cleveland Show, American Dad!), Walt Disney Television Animation (Fillmore!, Recess, American Dragon: Jake Long), Warner Bros. Animation (What’s New, Scooby-Doo?), and Titmouse (Big Mouth). Her feature credits include The Simpsons Movie (Rough Draft Studios) and Rugrats Go Wild (Klasky Csupo).

Mlynarczyk was born on August 24, 1972 in Washington D.C. After receiving her MFA in film and television from UCLA, Mlynarczyk started her career in 1998 at Film Roman, where she worked on two short-lived shows, Mission Hill and The Oblongs, for the now-defunct network The WB. She received her first Emmy nomination in 2006 for Cartoon Network’s Camp Lazlo and went on to get six more, winning in 2017 for her work on Adventure Time.

While freelancing as a timer, Mlynarczyk also worked as a graphic designer for a dinnerware company, according to her Linkedin page. “In my off hours I do my own painting,” she added. Those who knew her noted her passion for animals, and her commitment to charities that support animals in need.

She is survived by her devoted partner (Andrew Dubel), her parents (Peter and Catherine Mlynarczyk), and her sisters and brothers-in-laws, (Karen and John Vagelatos, Elizabeth and Christoper Salinger).

(Image at top: “Steven Universe.”)