Legendary Black Animator Leo D. Sullivan Dies At 82

Legendary Black animator Leo D. Sullivan, who had over 50 years of groundbreaking work, has died at age 82 years old. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sullivan passed on Saturday, March 25, from heart failure while receiving end-of-life treatment at Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center. 

The animator’s list of his most iconic works included the opening of Soul Train

and the animation for cartoons Fat Albert, Transformers, and My Little Pony. Particularly for Soul Train, Sullivan helped to animate the original locomotive graphics that opened up the episodes. 

His credits come from his roles as a writer, producer, director, layout artist, and storyboard artist at various studios such as Hanna-Barbera, Filmation, DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, DIC Entertainment, Marvel Productions, and Warner Bros. Additionally, Sullivan co-founded Vignette Films back in 1960 which sought to highlight historical Black heroes and build self-esteem for young Black kids by connecting them to their cultural heritage. 

Survived by his wife Ethelyn and his two children, son and daughter Leo Jr. and Tina, Sullivan was born in Lockhart, Texas. Some of his beginning animation works include: “

I Am the Greatest!: The Adventures of Muhammad Ali, The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse and Heckle and Jeckle, BraveStarr, The Flintstones, Flash Gordon, Pac-Man, Scooby-Doo, SuperFriends, The Sullivan Incredible Hulk and Tiny Toons.”

Sullivan was honored by the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame twice for his work; the national praise opened the door for more unique opportunities outside of cartoon animations.

Some of the pioneer’s more outstanding work included managing supervisors for international animation studios, being credited for publishing a video game honoring the Tuskegee Airman, being responsible for animating characters for the California Science Center for their BodyWorks exhibit, as well as teaching 2D and digital animation classes at the Art Institute of California Orange County in Santa Ana before his passing.