Fred Wolf
Encyclopedia
Fred Wolf is an American
animator
. His works include the 1967 short subject The Box
, for which he won an Academy Award; television specials such as The Point! and Free to Be... You and Me, and television series such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
, James Bond Jr.
, and Sarah Ferguson
's Budgie the Little Helicopter
. Wolf was also responsible for the famous Tootsie Pops "How Many Licks" commercial.
In the 1960s, Wolf set up a studio in Hollywood, California with Japanese-American animator Jimmy Murakami
(later of The Snowman
). The studio was called Murakami-Wolf Films. In 1978, animator Charles Swenson became a partner, and the company became known as Murakami-Wolf-Swenson. Both Murakami and Swenson eventually left the company, and in 1992 it became Fred Wolf Films.
In 1989, MWS established a satellite studio in Dublin, Ireland
, known as Murakami-Wolf Dublin before eventually adopting its current name (Fred Wolf Films Dublin
). In this studio, each project is produced by a dedicated Irish crew
Fred Wolf also served in the U.S. Army and is a Combat Veteran of the Korean War.
Movies produced/Directed by Fred Wolf:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
animator
Animator
An animator is an artist who creates multiple images that give an illusion of movement called animation when displayed in rapid sequence; the images are called frames and key frames. Animators can work in a variety of fields including film, television, video games, and the internet. Usually, an...
. His works include the 1967 short subject The Box
The Box
The Box may refer to:In television:* The Box , a music video television formerly known as Video Jukebox Network, originally from Miami, but now only available in the UK and Ireland** The Box , a defunct U.S...
, for which he won an Academy Award; television specials such as The Point! and Free to Be... You and Me, and television series such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 TV series)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an American animated television series produced by Murakami-Wolf-Swenson. The pilot was shown during the week of December 28, 1987 in syndication as a five part miniseries and began its official run on October 1, 1988...
, James Bond Jr.
James Bond Jr.
James Bond Jr. is a fictional character described as the nephew of Ian Fleming's masterspy James Bond. The name "James Bond Junior" was first used in 1967 for an unsuccessful spinoff novel entitled 003½: The Adventures of James Bond Junior written under the pseudonym R. D. Mascott...
, and Sarah Ferguson
Sarah, Duchess of York
Sarah, Duchess of York is a British charity patron, spokesperson, writer, film producer, television personality and former member of the British Royal Family. She is the former wife of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, whom she married from 1986 to 1996...
's Budgie the Little Helicopter
Budgie the Little Helicopter
Budgie the Little Helicopter is a series of children's books and animated television series relating to a fictional character 'Budgie' and his friends. The characters were based on the books by Sarah, Duchess of York , who was influenced by her flight training in the Royal Navy...
. Wolf was also responsible for the famous Tootsie Pops "How Many Licks" commercial.
In the 1960s, Wolf set up a studio in Hollywood, California with Japanese-American animator Jimmy Murakami
Jimmy Murakami
Teruaki "Jimmy" Murakami, , is a Japanese American animator and director with a long career working in numerous countries. Among his best-known works are the animated adaptations of the Raymond Briggs books When the Wind Blows and The Snowman...
(later of The Snowman
The Snowman
The Snowman is a children's book by English author Raymond Briggs, published in 1978. In 1982, this book was turned into a 26-minute animated movie by Dianne Jackson for the fledgling Channel 4. It was first shown on Channel 4 late on Christmas Eve in 1982 and was an immediate success. The film was...
). The studio was called Murakami-Wolf Films. In 1978, animator Charles Swenson became a partner, and the company became known as Murakami-Wolf-Swenson. Both Murakami and Swenson eventually left the company, and in 1992 it became Fred Wolf Films.
In 1989, MWS established a satellite studio in Dublin, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, known as Murakami-Wolf Dublin before eventually adopting its current name (Fred Wolf Films Dublin
Fred Wolf Films Dublin
Fred Wolf Films Dublin is an animation studio in Dublin, Ireland founded by Fred Wolf, and Jimmy Murakami . It was originally founded as MW . The studio produced The Point, the first U.S. animated special to air in prime time...
). In this studio, each project is produced by a dedicated Irish crew
Fred Wolf also served in the U.S. Army and is a Combat Veteran of the Korean War.
Productions
Among the various series produced by or involving Fred Wolf are:- Alvin and the ChipmunksAlvin and the Chipmunks (TV series)Alvin and the Chipmunks is an American animated television series featuring The Chipmunks, produced by Bagdasarian Productions in association with Ruby-Spears Enterprises from 1983–87, and DIC Entertainment from 1988-90....
(1988) - Barnyard CommandosBarnyard CommandosBarnyard Commandos is an action figure line that was produced by Playmates in 1989. A four-episode animated series was based on the figures the following year. Produced by Murakami-Wolf-Swenson, it features the vocal talents of S. Scott Bullock, Thom Bray, Pat Fraley, Paul Hreppel, John Mariano,...
(1990) - The California Raisin ShowThe California Raisin ShowThe California Raisin Show is an animated television series based on the claymation advertising characters The California Raisins. The show is based on an Emmy Award-winning claymation special, Meet the Raisins!, which originally aired on CBS in 1988...
- DucktalesDuckTalesDuckTales is an American animated television series produced by Walt Disney Television Animation. Based on Carl Barks' Uncle Scrooge comic book series, it premiered on September 18, 1987 and ended on November 28, 1990 with a total of four seasons and 100 episodes...
(1987) - Hollywood Dogs (1989)
- Dino BabiesDino BabiesDino Babies was a family-friendly educational cartoon spotlighting six young dinosaurs who share stories and adventures. It was a BBC television series that aired from September 29, 1993 to May 4, 1995...
(1994) - James Bond Jr.James Bond Jr.James Bond Jr. is a fictional character described as the nephew of Ian Fleming's masterspy James Bond. The name "James Bond Junior" was first used in 1967 for an unsuccessful spinoff novel entitled 003½: The Adventures of James Bond Junior written under the pseudonym R. D. Mascott...
(1991) - Little Clowns of Happytown (1987)
- Pretty Piggies (1990)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 TV series)Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an American animated television series produced by Murakami-Wolf-Swenson. The pilot was shown during the week of December 28, 1987 in syndication as a five part miniseries and began its official run on October 1, 1988...
(1987) - The WuzzlesThe WuzzlesDisney's Wuzzles is an American animated television series created for Saturday morning television, and was first broadcast on September 14, 1985 on CBS. An idea of Michael Eisner for his new Disney television animation studio, the Wuzzles are crossbred animals which sport a combined appearance of...
(1987)
Movies produced/Directed by Fred Wolf:
- The Point!The Point!- Musical play :In 1975, Esquire Jauchem, Artistic Director of the Boston Repertory Theater, approached Harry Nilsson about creating a stage musical of "The Point!" Although Nilsson said he had been asked many times and had always turned down the request, this time he granted his permission...
(1971) - The Mouse and His Child (1978)
- Adventures of the American Rabbit (1986)