Ralph Bakshi - Director of Animated Films, Timeline and Childhood
Ralph Bakshi's Personal Details
Ralph Bakshi is an American director of animated films best known for the X-rated movie, ‘Fritz the Cat’
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | October 29, 1938 |
| Nationality | Israeli |
| Famous | Artists, Film & Theater Personalities, Directors, T V & Movie Producers, Miscellaneous, Director of Animated Films |
| Spouses | Elisabeth Bassett Bakshi, Liz Bakshi |
| Childrens | Eddie Bakshi, Mark Bakshi, Preston Bakshi, Victoria Bakshi |
| Universities |
|
| Birth Place | Haifa |
| Height | 191 |
| Gender | Male |
| Net Worth | $4.3 Million as of February 26,2017 |
| Sun Sign | Scorpio |
| Born in | Haifa |
| Famous as | Director of Animated Films |
Ralph Bakshi's photo
Who is Ralph Bakshi?
Ralph Bakshi is an American director of animated films who rose to prominence with his debut feature film, ‘Fritz the Cat’, which went on to become the first animated film to receive an X rating from the Motion Picture Association of America. The movie became extremely popular and is the most successful independent animated feature ever made. ‘Fritz the Cat’ established him as a quirky, creative and bold director who openly courted controversy with his unconventional works. He began his career as a cel polisher in a cartoon studio, and impressed his employers with his undying sincerity and eventually rose through the positions to become a director. Though he was doing well in his career, he longed for the creative freedom that his job did not offer. He developed an interest in animation and became acquainted with several popular animators of his time from who he learnt the nuances of the art. After working with several studios he realized that the time was ripe for him to launch his directorial career, and chose to adapt a controversial comic strip by Robert Crumb as his debut film. ‘Fritz the Cat’ was an outrageous selection for a debut director—down and dirty, highly sexualized, and with a liberal sprinkling of profanity, the film did create controversy. But it also launched Bakshi’s directorial career with a bang.
// Famous Film & Theater Personalities
Jacob Elordi
Jacob Elordi is an Australian actor. Let’s take a look at his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.
Wentworth Miller
Wentworth Miller is an American actor and screenwriter who achieved recognition for his role in the TV series ‘Prison Break’.
Skai Jackson
Skai Jackson is an American child actress with huge fan following. Find more about her family & personal life, relationships, facts and more.
Childhood & Early Life
He was born on 29 October 1938, in Haifa, Mandatory Palestine (now Israel) to Russian Jew parents. His family immigrated to New York City to escape World War II in 1939.
In 1947 his family moved to a predominantly black neighbourhood in Washington D.C., so he made numerous black friends and felt one with them.
He loved to read comics as a child and even foraged in trash bins to find them. He laid his hands on a copy of Gene Byrnes' ‘Complete Guide to Cartooning’ when he was 15 and began cartooning himself.
He attended the Thomas Jefferson High School where he proved to be a mischief maker. So the principal had him transferred to Manhattan's School of Industrial Art from where he graduated with an award in cartooning in 1956.
Career
He was employed by Terrytoons Animation Studio in New Rochelle as a cel polisher. His first job was a low paying and boring one, yet he worked on sincerely. Impressed by his work, his employers promoted him to cel painting and then to animation.
He became the director of the studio at the age of 25. His first assignment was the series ‘Sad Cat’, but he was not happy with his job. He felt that he did not get the creative freedom he craved for as a director.
He joined Paramount Cartoon Studios in 1967 as the Producer and Director. Here he worked with Steve Krantz to create episodes of the ‘Spider-Man’ TV series and several short films.
By the 1970s he was raring to produce films of his own as he wanted to freely express his creativity, unrestrained by the limitations of his studio jobs. Krantz suggested that he make an animated version of Robert Crumb's ‘Fritz the Cat’ comic book, and thus he began working on it.
The film was released in 1972 and immediately became very successful because of its explicit sexual content. An adult animated comedy film, it was radically different from the other animated films of that time.
In 1975 he released the movie ‘Coonskin’, a story about an African-American rabbit, fox, and bear who rise to the top of the organized crime racket in Harlem. The film, which combines live-action with animation, makes references to various elements from African-American culture.
‘American Pop’, an animated musical drama, was produced and directed by him in 1981. The film made use of a variety of mixed media including water colors, computer graphics, live-action shots, and archival footage along with rotoscoping.
His 1992 live-action animated movie ‘Cool World’ tells the story of a cartoonist who is seduced by one of the characters he had created in his animated world. The film received mixed critical reviews though it was a minor commercial success.
Currently he is working on his upcoming project, ‘Last Days of Coney Island’ which is a story about a NYPD detective and a prostitute he loves. Colleen Cox would be the lead animator of the film which has Matthew Modine, Libby Aubrey, and Ron Thompson in its cast.
Major Works
His debut feature film, ‘Fritz the Cat’ became the first animated feature film to receive an X rating in the United States. The movie shocked the conservative audiences but also entertained them at the same time with its graphic content and profanity. It grossed over $90 million worldwide to become the most successful independent animated feature of all time.
Awards & Achievements
He received the Golden Gryphon for ‘The Lord of the Rings’ at the Giffoni Film Festival in 1980.
In 1988 he received an Annie Award for "Distinguished Contribution to the Art of Animation".
In 2003, Bakshi received a Maverick Tribute Award at the Cinequest San Jose Film Festival.
Personal Life & Legacy
He married Elaine when he was 21 and was a father to a son, Mark, by the next year. But their marriage soon unraveled due to his hectic schedule and the couple divorced.
He is currently married to Liz who he wed in 1968.
// Famous Artists
Susan Mikula
Susan Mikula is an American artist and photographer. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family life, achievements and fun factsabout her life.
Akira Toriyama
Akira Toriyama is a Japanese manga artist. This biography profiles his childhood, family, personal life, achievements, etc.
Bob Ross
Bob Ross was a celebrated, creative American painter and an art instructor. Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Ralph Bakshi biography timelines
- // 29th Oct 1938He was born on 29 October 1938, in Haifa, Mandatory Palestine (now Israel) to Russian Jew parents. His family immigrated to New York City to escape World War II in 1939.
- // 1947In 1947 his family moved to a predominantly black neighbourhood in Washington D.C., so he made numerous black friends and felt one with them.
- // 1956He attended the Thomas Jefferson High School where he proved to be a mischief maker. So the principal had him transferred to Manhattan's School of Industrial Art from where he graduated with an award in cartooning in 1956.
- // 1967He joined Paramount Cartoon Studios in 1967 as the Producer and Director. Here he worked with Steve Krantz to create episodes of the ‘Spider-Man’ TV series and several short films.
- // 1968He is currently married to Liz who he wed in 1968.
- // 1972The film was released in 1972 and immediately became very successful because of its explicit sexual content. An adult animated comedy film, it was radically different from the other animated films of that time.
- // 1975In 1975 he released the movie ‘Coonskin’, a story about an African-American rabbit, fox, and bear who rise to the top of the organized crime racket in Harlem. The film, which combines live-action with animation, makes references to various elements from African-American culture.
- // 1980He received the Golden Gryphon for ‘The Lord of the Rings’ at the Giffoni Film Festival in 1980.
- // 1981‘American Pop’, an animated musical drama, was produced and directed by him in 1981. The film made use of a variety of mixed media including water colors, computer graphics, live-action shots, and archival footage along with rotoscoping.
- // 1988In 1988 he received an Annie Award for "Distinguished Contribution to the Art of Animation".
- // 1992His 1992 live-action animated movie ‘Cool World’ tells the story of a cartoonist who is seduced by one of the characters he had created in his animated world. The film received mixed critical reviews though it was a minor commercial success.
- // 2003In 2003, Bakshi received a Maverick Tribute Award at the Cinequest San Jose Film Festival.
// Famous Directors
Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner is an American actor, director and singer who is best known for his portrayal of rugged individuals with complex emotions. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline
Michel Qissi
Michel Qissi is a Moroccan-Belgian actor known for his role in the martial arts flick ‘Kickboxer.’ Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Susan Sontag
Susan Sontag is an American critical essayist, cultural analyst, novelist, political activist, filmmaker and playwright of international repute. Read on to find out more about her childhood, career, profile and timeline.
Alfonso Ribeiro
Alfonso Lincoln Ribeiro Sr. is an American actor, show host, dancer and television director. This biography profiles his childhood, family, personal life, career etc.
Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg is a famous Hollywood director renowned for his movies such as ‘E.T.’, ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘War of the Worlds’. To know more about his childhood, career, profile and timeline read on
Dolph Lundgren
Dolph Lundgren is a famous Swedish actor, film-maker, screenwriter and martial artist. This biography offers detailed information about his childhood, family, personal life, etc.
Ralph Bakshi's FAQ
What is Ralph Bakshi birthday?
Ralph Bakshi was born at 1938-10-29
Where is Ralph Bakshi's birth place?
Ralph Bakshi was born in Haifa
What is Ralph Bakshi nationalities?
Ralph Bakshi's nationalities is Israeli
Who is Ralph Bakshi spouses?
Ralph Bakshi's spouses is Elisabeth Bassett Bakshi, Liz Bakshi
Who is Ralph Bakshi childrens?
Ralph Bakshi's childrens is Eddie Bakshi, Mark Bakshi, Preston Bakshi, Victoria Bakshi
What was Ralph Bakshi universities?
Ralph Bakshi studied at High School of Art and Design
How tall is Ralph Bakshi?
Ralph Bakshi's height is 191
What is Ralph Bakshi's sun sign?
Ralph Bakshi is Scorpio
How famous is Ralph Bakshi?
Ralph Bakshi is famouse as Director of Animated Films