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Lou Scheimer

Louis Scheimer (October 19, 1928 – October 17, 2013) was an American producer and voice actor who was one of the original founders of Filmation. He was also credited as an executive producer of many of its cartoons.[1]

Lou Scheimer
Born
Louis Scheimer

(1928-10-19)October 19, 1928
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedOctober 17, 2013(2013-10-17) (aged 84)
Tarzana, California, U.S.
Other namesErik Gunden, Erika Lane
Alma materCarnegie Mellon University
Occupation(s)Animator, voice actor
Years active1957–2013
Spouse
Jay Wucher
​
(died 2009)​
Children2, including Erika

Early life and education

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Scheimer was the son of a German Jew who, according to family legend, had to leave Germany in the early 1920s after publicly having gay sex in 1921 or 1922.[2]

Scheimer graduated from Carnegie Tech University (now Carnegie Mellon University) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a bachelor's degree in fine arts in 1952.

Career

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In the mid-1950s, Scheimer was appointed to the position of art director while working at Larry Harmon Pictures on the made-for-TV Bozo and Popeye cartoons. He formed a close working relationship with former Disney animator Hal Sutherland, with the two later becoming business partners. Larry Harmon eventually closed the studio in 1961. Scheimer and Sutherland went to work at a small company called True Line.[3] While working there, they were contracted by SIB Productions, a Japanese firm with U.S. offices in Chicago, who approached them about producing a cartoon called Rod Rocket. The two agreed to take on the work and also took on a project for Family Films, Life of Christ, a series of ten short animated films based on the life of Christ. Paramount Pictures soon purchased SIB Productions, and the contract allowed True Line to hire additional staff, such as former radio disc jockey Norm Prescott. Scheimer and Sutherland formed a close relationship with their new co-worker.

In 1962, Scheimer, Sutherland and Prescott eventually left True Line, and Scheimer began independently working on commercials. He figured that he could form his own company to produce animation. In September of that year, he, Sutherland and Ira Epstein, who had worked for Harmon but had left the firm, formed Filmation Associates. The company's name was invented because according to Scheimer, "We were working on film, but doing animation." Prescott joined them soon after the company's formation, and the trio were the company's main producers.[4][3] They immediately started work on Journey Back to Oz, an animated sequel to the MGM film The Wizard of Oz and loosely based on the Oz series of books by L. Frank Baum. Due to financial problems, it took them about a decade to complete the film.

In the meantime, Filmation turned their attention to a more successful medium, network television. For the next few years they made television commercials and some other projects for other companies and made an unsuccessful pilot film for a Marx Brothers cartoon series. They also tried to develop an original series named The Adventures of Stanley Stoutheart (later renamed Yank and Doodle), but they were never able to sell it and almost closed down.[3] That was until they were approached by DC Comics editor Mort Weisinger to do a cartoon based on Superman. Superman premiered on September 10, 1966, and was followed by several of the other DC superheroes, and then, in 1968, the first Archie Show. Both series greatly helped Filmation's popularity to increase into the 1970s, when it scored big with several of its series, such as Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids and Star Trek: The Animated Series.[5][6][7] For Star Trek: The Animated Series, Scheimer won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Entertainment - Children's Series.[8]

Early in Filmation's history, Scheimer also contributed a number of guest or secondary voices for the various productions. Most notably, he provided the voice of Dumb Donald on Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. He was also the voice of Legal Eagle and the Brown Hornet's sidekick Stinger and the voice-over narrator during the opening credits of the majority of Filmation shows and cartoons. In Jason of Star Command and Space Academy, he was consistently heard as generic voices over intercoms. In the live-action series The Ghost Busters, which starred Forrest Tucker and Larry Storch with Bob Burns, he was the voice of Zero, the unseen boss of the main characters.

Scheimer also provided the voices of Stubby on The New Adventures of Gilligan, N'kima on Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle,[9] Bat-Mite, the Bat-Computer and Clayface on The New Adventures of Batman, M.O. on Space Sentinels, Trouble, Spinner and Scarab on Tarzan and the Super 7's Superstretch and Microwoman and Web Woman, Dinny on Fabulous Funnies, Mighty Mouse on The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse and Heckle & Jeckle,[10][11] Tom Cat, Jerry Mouse, Spike, Tuffy, Slick Wolf and Barney Bear on The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show,[12] the Olympian Computer on Sport Billy,[13] Gremlin on The New Adventures of Flash Gordon, Bumper on Gilligan's Planet, and Tracy the Gorilla on Ghostbusters.

The Filmation studio had emerged as a leading company in television animation, but it was no longer an independent company. The studio was purchased by the TelePrompTer Corporation in 1969. Westinghouse Electric Corporation, through its Group W Productions division, acquired Filmation along with its purchase of TelePrompTer's cable and entertainment properties in 1981. Despite this, Scheimer continued leading the company.[14] He played a significant role in the creation of the cartoons He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and BraveStarr. As well as the executive producer, he was also co-credited for the series' musical score under the pseudonym "Erika Lane" (which combined the names of his daughter Erika and son Lane).[15] It had also been used as a character name on the 1967 Filmation series Fantastic Voyage.

He became a voice actor for the show (as he had done for many of his company's previous productions), going under the pseudonym "Erik Gunden". The last name was taken from his father's original surname: "Gundenscheimer" (which was later shortened to Scheimer). The first name was Lou's middle name, which he was not given by his parents, but instead by his wife Jay, who felt that he should have one. Scheimer's contribution to the cast was, in fact, most notable as he voiced several supporting characters, including Orko (and other characters with a similar Smurfs-voice), Stratos, King Randor and others. The reason that Scheimer performed the voices for so many supporting characters was that the "official" voice actors were contracted to perform no more than three different voices per episode. Since there were usually only three regular cast members working on each show, Scheimer would fill in the rest of the male cast. This is also why his wife and daughter did various small parts in the first season of He-Man, with Erika Scheimer performing supporting female voices and occasional voice-acting for young boy characters.[16]

During the second season of He-Man, and all of She-Ra: Princess of Power, Erika received an onscreen credit as an actor and also directed the voice actors, and she and her father recorded the remaining voices on their own later, because he did not see himself as a "proper" actor and was ashamed of recording with the other voice actors due to severe budget restrictions.[17][18][10] The pitch of his voice was often changed by using a "harmonizer", which could control the pitch without altering the speed of the sound.[16] The animated series also pioneered a type of programming known as first-run syndication. Another first was the storyline being based on an action figure toy; before this time, FCC regulations had prohibited any type of children's programming being based on a toy. Scheimer transformed He-Man from a graphically violent version of Conan the Barbarian into a pro-social character, who imparted a life lesson to impressionable viewers in each episode.[19][17]

In 1989, Westinghouse decided to shut down Filmation and sell the studio's properties. Scheimer effectively went into retirement after the end of his studio. In the late 1990s, he returned to the field of animation. A Dutch investment company, Dreamweavers, NV., approached him with a concept based on an off-kilter Dutchman's renderings of characters aimed at young adults. Scheimer went into production on Robin and the Dreamweavers, an adult animated feature film. Robin, the first human to be born in cyberspace, battles Triple XXX: an evil siren who desires an earthly body, and who gains power through mankind's baser carnal desires. The movie, which has been compared to the majority of Ralph Bakshi's work, was never distributed. Scheimer also provided consultation work for Gang of Seven (G7) Animation.

The Lou Scheimer Gallery at the ToonSeum, a museum of comic and cartoon art in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is named in his honor.

Personal life

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Scheimer was married to Joanne "Jay" Wucher (1931–2009) until her death. They had one son, Lane (b. 1956), and one daughter, Erika (b. 1960).

Scheimer underwent quadruple bypass surgery in the late 1990s and was subsequently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In 2012, he was honored with an Inkpot Award for his contributions to animation.[20][21] He died from the disease at his home in Tarzana, California, on October 17, 2013, two days before his 85th birthday.[22]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1972 Journey Back to Oz Tin Woodman's Guard Voice role; Uncredited
1973 Treasure Island Bearded Sailor / Pirate Voice role; Uncredited
1982 Mighty Mouse in the Great Space Chase Mighty Mouse / Various voices[10][11] Voice role; Uncredited
1985 He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword King Randor / Spirit/Swift Wind / Kowl / Mantenna / Horde Trooper / Kobra Khan / Leech / Trap Jaw / Tri-Klops / Broom / Sprag / Sprocker / Garv the Innkeeper / Bard / Messenger / Horde Computer Voice role; Credited as "Erik Gunden"
1987 Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night Water Bug / Doorman Voice role; Uncredited
1988 BraveStarr: The Legend Captain Andrews / Townsman Voice role; Uncredited
1989 Happily Ever After Mouse Voice role; Uncredited

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1968-1969 The Adventures of Batman Various voices Voice role; 17 episodes
1972 The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie Movie Director / Lance / Town Crier Voice role; Episode: Daffy Duck and Porky Pig Meet the Groovie Goolies
1972-1985 Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids Dumb Donald / Cluck / Albert's Father / Stinger / Legal Eagle / Various voices Voice role; 110 episodes
1973 Lassie's Rescue Rangers Duane Johnson / Mr. Johnson Voice role; Episode: "Lost"
Mission: Magic! Mr. Mayor / Reporter Voice role; Episode: "The City Inside the Earth"
1973-1974 Star Trek: The Animated Series[23] Dramian Guard / Romulan Crewman / Lemus Voice role; 3 episodes
1974-1975 The New Adventures of Gilligan Snubby the Monkey Voice role; 24 voices
1974-1976 Shazam! Narrator / Solomon / Hercules / Atlas / Zeus / Achilles / Mercury Voice role; 27 episodes
1975 The Ghost Busters Zero Voice role; 15 episodes
1976 Ark II Adam / Merry Man / Kitchen Computer Voice role; 15 episodes
1976-1979 Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle N'Kima / Bol Mangani Guard / Various voices[9] Voice role; 36 episodes
1977 The New Adventures of Batman Bat-Mite / Batcomputer / Clayface/Matt Hagen / Lucky's Henchman / Prison Guard Voice role; 16 episodes
The Fat Albert Halloween Special Dumb Donald Voice role; Television movie
Space Sentinels M.O. / Brad / Dr. Kerlin / Various voices Voice role; 13 episodes
Space Academy Station Intercome / Fracture the Parrot / Taca Voice role; 9 episodes
The Fat Albert Christmas Special Dumb Donald / Doctor Voice role; Television movie
1978 Fabulous Funnies Dinny / Magic Mirror / Fish / Michael / Angelo / Mr. Clangborn / Cashier / Hazy Woods / Police Officer / Various voices Voice roles; 13 episodes
1978-1979 Tarzan and the Super 7 Trouble / Spinner / Scarab / Thirsty Egyptian / Police Officer / Various voices Voice roles; 26 episodes
Jason of Star Command Narrator / Various voices Voice roles; 28 episodes
1979-1980 The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse and Heckle and Jeckle Mighty Mouse / Various voices[10][11] Voice role; 16 episodes
1979-1982 The New Adventures of Flash Gordon Gremlin / Robot / Lizard Man Voice role; 16 episodes
1980-1981 Sport Billy Olympian Computer / Various voices[13] Voice role; 25 episodes
1980-1982 The Tarzan/Lone Ranger/Zorro Adventure Hour Les Barton / Trail Boss / Kurt Voice role; 27 episodes
The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show Tom Cat / Jerry Mouse / Spike (wraparound segments, episodes 6-15) / Tuffy / Slick (wraparound segments, episodes 7-15) / Barney Bear (wraparound segments, episode 4, episodes 7-15) / Various voices[12] Voice role; 15 episodes
1981-1982 Hero High A.W.O.L. / Narrator Voice role; 26 episodes
The Kid Super Power Hour with Shazam! Mister Mind / Black Adam / Ibac / Narrator Voice role; 38 episodes
The New Adventures of Zorro Peasant / Coach Driver / Servant Voice role; 7 episodes
Blackstar Prince Dahl / Vizier / Ice Guard Voice role; 9 episodes
1982 The Fat Albert Easter Special Dumb Donald / Stinger / Narrator / Seymour / Kaznak / Rabbits / Doctor Voice role; Television movie
Gilligan's Planet Bumper Voice role; 13 episodes
1983-1985 He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Orko / King Randor / Stratos / Man-E-Faces / Mekaneck / Zodac / Fisto / Sy-Klone / Moss Man / Lizard Man / Trap Jaw / Tri-Klops / Kobra Khan / Clawful / Attak Trak / Jitsu / Spikor / Two Bad / Modulok / Various voices[16] Voice role; 130 episodes
1985 He-Man and She-Ra: A Christmas Special Orko / King Randor / Spirit/Swift Wind / Spikor / Two-Bad / Modulok / Kowl / Rattlor / Horde Prime / Multi-Bot / Monstroid / Father Voice role; Television movie
1985-1987 She-Ra: Princess of Power Spirit/Swift Wind / Kowl / Mantenna / Leech / Horde Troopers / Horde Prime / Light Hope / Broom / Grizzlor / Modulok / Multi-Bot / Orko / Various voices[18] Voice role; 93 episodes
1986 Ghostbusters Tracy the Gorilla / Sir Trance-A-Lot / Ansabone / Skelevision / Fuddy / Various voices Voice role; 65 episodes
1987-1988 BraveStarr Sandstorm / Hog-Tie / Two-Face / Goldtooth / Howler / Dingo Dan / Barker / Diamondback / Doc Clayton / Fleeder's Father Voice role; 64 episodes

Discography

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Year Title Role Notes
1976 The U.S. of Archie Mandan Indian[24] Record produced in 1976
1977 Halloween Starring Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids Dumb Donald / Clerk / Sci-Fi Movie Actor[25] Record produced in 1977

Filmmaking credits

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Year Title Producer Executive producer Notes
1966 The New Adventures of Superman Yes No 4 episodes
1967 Journey to the Center of the Earth Yes No 17 episodes
The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure Yes No 3 episodes
1967-1969 Aquaman Yes No 18 episodes
1968-1969 The Adventures of Batman Yes No 3 episodes
Fantasic Voyage Yes No 17 episodes
1968-1971 The Archie Show Yes No Aka Archie's Funhouse
1969 Archie and His New Pals Yes No Television movie
1969-1971 The Hardy Boys Yes No
1969-1972 Sabrina the Teenage Witch Yes No 61 episodes
1970 Will the Real Jerry Lewis Please Sit Down Yes No Episode: "Computer Suitor"
Groovie Goolies Yes No 16 episodes
1971 Aesop's Fables Yes No Television movie
Archie's TV Funnies Yes No 16 episodes
1972 Journey Back to Oz Yes No
The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie Yes No 3 episodes
1972-1973 The Brady Kids Yes No 22 episodes
Lassie's Rescue Rangers Yes No 16 episodes
1973 Treasure Island Yes No
My Favorite Martians Yes No 16 episodes
Mission: Magic! Yes No 16 episodes
1973-1974 Star Trek: The Animated Series[23] Yes No 22 episodes
1974 Oliver Twist Yes No
The U.S. Of Archie Yes No 16 episodes
1974-1975 The New Adventures of Gilligan No Yes 24 episodes
1974-1976 Shazam! No Yes 28 episodes
1975 The Secret Lives of Waldo Kitty Yes No 13 episodes
The Ghost Busters No Yes 15 episodes
Wacky and Packy Yes No Episodes: "The New York Sweats"
1975-1976 Uncle Croc's Block No Yes
The Secrets of Isis No Yes 22 episodes
1976 Ark II No Yes 15 episodes
1976-1979 Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle No Yes 36 episodes
1977 The New Adventures of Batman Yes No 16 episodes
The New Archie and Sabrina Hour No Yes
The Fat Albert Halloween Special Yes No Television movie
Space Sentinels No Yes 13 episodes
Space Academy No Yes 15 episodes
The Fat Albert Christmas Special Yes No Television movie
1977-1978 Sabrina, Super Witch Yes No
Archie's Bang-Shang Lalapalooza Show Yes No
1978 The Freedom Force No Yes 5 episodes
Fabulous Funnies No Yes 13 episodes
1978-1979 Tarzan and the Super 7 No Yes 33 episodes
1978-1979 Jason of Star Command No Yes 28 episodes
1979-1980 The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse and Heckle and Jeckle No Yes
1979-1982 The New Adventures of Flash Gordon No Yes 24 episodes
1979-1985 Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids Yes Yes 5 episodes
1980-1981 Sport Billy No Yes 26 episodes
1980 A Snow White Christmas No Yes Television movie
1980-1982 The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show Yes No
The Tarzan/Lone Ranger/Zorro Adventure Hour Yes No 28 episodes
1981 Blackstar Yes No 13 episodes
The New Adventures of Zorro Yes No 13 episodes
1981-1982 The Kid Super Power Hour with Shazam! No Yes
Hero High No Yes
1982 The Fat Albert Easter Special Yes No Television movie
Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of All No Yes Television movie
Mighty Mouse in the Great Space Chase Yes No
Gilligan's Planet No Yes 13 episodes
1983-1985 He-Man and the Masters of the Universe No Yes 130 episodes
1985 He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword No Yes
He-Man and She-Ra: A Christmas Special No Yes Television movie
1985-1987 She-Ra: Princess of Power No Yes 93 episodes
1986 Ghostbusters No Yes 65 episodes
1987 Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night Yes No
1987-1988 BraveStarr Yes No 65 episodes
1988 BraveStarr: The Legend Yes No
1989 Town Musicians of Bremen Yes No
Happily Ever After Yes No
2000 Robin and the Dreamweavers Yes No

References

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  1. ^ "R.I.P. Animation Legend Lou Scheimer". Science Fiction. October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  2. ^ Fred Patten (December 19, 2012). "Book Review - 'Lou Scheimer: Creating the Filmation Generation'". Animation World Network. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c Scheimer, Lou; Mangels, Andy (2012), Lou Scheimer: Creating the Filmation Generation, Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing, pp. 37–48, ISBN 978-1-60549-044-1
  4. ^ Bates, James (February 8, 1989). "Filmation Shuts Plant, Beats Closing Law Deadline by 1 Day". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  5. ^ "'Sesame Street' Breakthrough For New Programming". Florence Times—Tri-Cities Daily. Florence, AL. Associated Press. April 27, 1970. p. 2. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  6. ^ Kleiner, Dick (June 14, 1973). "New Animated TV Show Is Aimed At Adults". Portsmouth Times. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 21. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  7. ^ Margulies, Lee (May 12, 1975). "Filmation – its sole product is for kids". The Free Lance-Star. Fredericksburg, VA. Associated Press. p. 20. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  8. ^ Mangels, Andy (Summer 2018). "Star Trek: The Animated Series". RetroFan (1). TwoMorrows Publishing: 25–37.
  9. ^ a b "The Animated Tarzan". Cartoon Research. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d Scheimer, Lou; Mangels, Andy (December 15, 2012). Creating The Filmation Generation. TwoMorrows. ISBN 9781605490441. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c "The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse and Heckle & Jeckle". The TV IV. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Scheimer, Lou; Mangels, Andy (December 15, 2012). Creating The Filmation Generation. TwoMorrows. ISBN 9781605490441. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  13. ^ a b Scheimer, Lou; Mangels, Andy (December 15, 2012). Creating The Filmation Generation. TwoMorrows. ISBN 9781605490441. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  14. ^ "Group W sells Filmation." Broadcasting, February 13, 1989, pg. 94
  15. ^ "Cartoon Studio Founder Lou Scheimer Dies". Time. October 21, 2013. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
  16. ^ a b c Scheimer, Lou; Mangels, Andy (December 15, 2012). Creating The Filmation Generation. TwoMorrows. ISBN 9781605490441. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Remembering She-Ra and He-Man: Interview with Lou Scheimer". Animation World Network. November 7, 2006. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
  18. ^ a b Scheimer, Lou; Mangels, Andy (December 15, 2012). Creating The Filmation Generation. TwoMorrows. ISBN 9781605490441. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  19. ^ "He-Man cartoon producer Lou Scheimer dies aged 84". BBC News. October 22, 2013.
  20. ^ Inkpot Award
  21. ^ "Lou Scheimer 2012 Inkpot Award". AniMA Firenze. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  22. ^ Colker, David (October 20, 2013). "Lou Scheimer obituary: Filmation founder Lou Scheimer dies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  23. ^ a b "Remembering Filmation Co-Founder Lou Scheimer, 1928-2013". www.startrek.com. July 25, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  24. ^ ""The Archies" America on Records". Cartoon Research. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  25. ^ "Filmation Tribute: "Groovie Goolies" & "Fat Albert Halloween"". Cartoon Research. Retrieved April 28, 2024.

Further reading

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  • Lou Scheimer & Andy Mangels. Lou Scheimer: Creating the Filmation Generation, 2nd edn. Raleigh, NC: TwoMorrows Pub., 2015.
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History

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Interviews

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