Lee Gunther
Encyclopedia
Lee Gunther was a film editor (which, in animation parlance, means sound effect
s editor) on more than 85 animated shorts in all.
in the 1960s, and then at DePatie-Freleng Enterprises
, he also worked as a production manager in the 1970s. After DePatie-Freleng was sold to Marvel Comics Group
in 1981, Gunther became one of the founders of Marvel Productions, Ltd.
, where he served as executive vice president
and executive producer
on television series such as Spider-Man
, G.I. Joe and The Transformers
, as well as the feature-length animation Inhumanoids: The Movie. He also served as vice president of foreign production at Fox Kids
.
In 1990, he co-founded Gunther-Wahl Productions with Michael Wahl. With Wahl, he served as executive producer of the animated series Angry Beavers, a Gunther-Wahl production for Nickelodeon
and Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa
for ABC
. He and Wahl also created The Adventures of T-Rex
. In his lifetime, Gunther earned four Emmy award
s, two Humanitas Prize
s, two Golden Reel Award
s and 12 Clio awards.
in 1998. Long-time friend and colleague George Conte, who worked for Murakami Wolf Swenson Films and Fred Wolf Films and who first met Gunther at DePatie-Freleng said, "Lee's dedication to quality filmmaking, both technically and creatively placed him at the top of his profession. Because of his strong character and gentle ways, he was respected and loved by all who knew him. He will be missed."
Sound effect
For the album by The Jam, see Sound Affects.Sound effects or audio effects are artificially created or enhanced sounds, or sound processes used to emphasize artistic or other content of films, television shows, live performance, animation, video games, music, or other media...
s editor) on more than 85 animated shorts in all.
Career
Starting at Warner Bros.Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
in the 1960s, and then at DePatie-Freleng Enterprises
DePatie-Freleng Enterprises
DePatie-Freleng Enterprises was a Hollywood-based animation production company, active from 1963 to 1981. They produced theatrical cartoons, animated series, commercials, title sequences and television specials. Notable among these is The Pink Panther film titles and cartoon shorts and the Dr....
, he also worked as a production manager in the 1970s. After DePatie-Freleng was sold to Marvel Comics Group
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
in 1981, Gunther became one of the founders of Marvel Productions, Ltd.
Marvel Productions
Marvel Productions Ltd. , last called New World Animation, was a television and film studio subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment Group , based in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, then New World Entertainment and News Corporation/Fox...
, where he served as executive vice president
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
and executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
on television series such as Spider-Man
Spider-Man (1981 TV series)
Spider-Man is a syndicated animated TV series based on the popular Marvel Comics character of the same name.-Production background:The series was created to launch Marvel Productions, successor of DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, who had previously produced the 1978 New Fantastic Four and 1979...
, G.I. Joe and The Transformers
The Transformers (TV series)
The Transformers is an animated television series depicting a war among giant robots who could transform into vehicles, other objects and animal-like forms. Written and recorded in America, the series was animated in Japan and South Korea...
, as well as the feature-length animation Inhumanoids: The Movie. He also served as vice president of foreign production at Fox Kids
Fox Kids
Fox Kids was the Fox Broadcasting Company's American children's programming division and brand name from September 8, 1990 until September 7, 2002. It was owned by Fox Television Entertainment airing programming on Monday–Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.Depending on the show, the...
.
In 1990, he co-founded Gunther-Wahl Productions with Michael Wahl. With Wahl, he served as executive producer of the animated series Angry Beavers, a Gunther-Wahl production for Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
and Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa
Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa
Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa is an American animated television series created by comic book artist Ryan Brown, known for his work on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The show was produced by King World and ABC's Greengrass Productions and animated by Gunther-Wahl Productions for its first season...
for ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
. He and Wahl also created The Adventures of T-Rex
The Adventures of T-Rex
The Adventures of T-Rex was a co-production between Japanese and American animated series that aired in syndication from 1992 to 1993 in North America...
. In his lifetime, Gunther earned four Emmy award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
s, two Humanitas Prize
Humanitas Prize
The Humanitas Prize is an award for film and television writing intended to promote human dignity, meaning, and freedom. It began in 1974 with Father Ellwood "Bud" Kieser — also the founder of Paulist Productions — but is generally not seen as specifically directed toward religious...
s, two Golden Reel Award
Golden Reel Award
Golden Reel Award may refer to:* Golden Reel Award , presented by the Genie Awards to high-grossing Canadian films...
s and 12 Clio awards.
Death
Gunther died of a strokeStroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
in 1998. Long-time friend and colleague George Conte, who worked for Murakami Wolf Swenson Films and Fred Wolf Films and who first met Gunther at DePatie-Freleng said, "Lee's dedication to quality filmmaking, both technically and creatively placed him at the top of his profession. Because of his strong character and gentle ways, he was respected and loved by all who knew him. He will be missed."