Don Figlozzi


Don Figlozzi was an American animator and cartoonist. A veteran of Fleischer Studios and member of the National Cartoonists Society, he spent the first half of his career in animation and the second half at the New York Daily News, where his cartoons, signed "Fig," became a fixture. Historian Harvey Deneroff of the Savannah College of Art and Design suggests that Figlozzi may have created the first animations to be used on television.

Biography

Personal Life and education

Born in Brooklyn, New York City to Italian immigrant parents Frank and Constantina, Figlozzi began his artistic education with the Landon cartoon course and attended Pratt Institute, Cooper Union and Art Students League of New York. He married Anne Giannatasio and had two children, Constance and Donald Jr.. He has five living grandchildren, Thomas and Donald Shelford & Peter, Lindsey, and Brett Figliozzi. It's been suggested that "Figlozzi" was Don's surname used exclusively for his professional animation career.

Fleischer Studios

Figlozzi joined Fleischer Studios in May, 1931 where he worked as an animator on Popeye films.

World War II

During the Second World War, Figlozzi worked on training films for the Army Signal Corps.

WPIX TV

As Graphic Art Director for WPIX TV, Figlozzi was one of the first television animators.

Disney

While employed at The Walt Disney Company, Figlozzi worked as an animator. Some of the most notable animations he worked on were Thumper and Jiminy Cricket.

Terrytoons

Figlozzi participated in the 1947 Terrytoons strike.

Daily News

For the New York Daily News, Figlozzi illustrated columns for writers Bob Sylvester and Charles McHarry. Figlozzi also worked as an editorial cartoonist and created an ongoing cartoon gag strip entitled, FIGure This.

Awards

Figlozzi was a two-time prize winner in Time magazine's As Seen By cartoon contest.
Member, National Cartoonists Society.

Illustrations for books by others