Biography
Ralph Bakshi (born October 29, 1938) is a Palestinian-born American animator and filmmaker. In the 1970s, he established an alternative to mainstream animation through independent and adult-oriented productions. Between 1972 and 1992, he directed nine theatrically released feature films, five of which he wrote. He has been involved in numerous television projects as director, writer, producer and animator. Beginning his career at the Terrytoons television cartoon studio as a cel polisher, Bakshi was eventually promoted to director. He moved to the animation division of Paramount Pictures in 1967 and started his own studio, Bakshi Productions, in 1968. Through producer Steve Krantz, Bakshi made his debut feature film, Fritz the Cat, released in 1972. It was the first animated film to receive an X rating from the Motion Picture Association of America, and the most successful independent animated feature of all time. Over the next eleven years, Bakshi directed seven additional animated features. He is well known for his fantasy films, which include Wizards (1977), The Lord of the Rings (1978) and Fire and Ice (1983). In 1987, Bakshi returned to television work, producing the series Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures, which ran for two years before it was canceled due to complaints from a conservative political group over perceived drug references. After a nine-year hiatus from feature films, he directed Cool World (1992), which was largely rewritten during production and received poor reviews. Bakshi returned to television with the live-action film Cool and the Crazy (1994) and the anthology series Spicy City (1997). He founded the Bakshi School of Animation and Cartooning in 2003. During the 2000s, he has focused largely on painting. He has received several awards for his work, including the 1980 Golden Gryphon for The Lord of the Rings at the Giffoni Film Festival, the 1988 Annie Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Art of Animation, and the 2003 Maverick Tribute Award at the Cinequest Film Festival.
Directed 44
2020s
- 2023
Midwest
Director
2010s
- 2015
Last Days of Coney Island
Director
- 2012
Trickle Dickle Down
Director
1990s
- 1997
Malcom and Melvin
Director
Babe, He Calls Me
Director
- 1995
- 1994
Cool and the Crazy
Director
- 1992
1980s
- 1989
The Butter Battle Book
Director
This Ain't Bebop
Director
- 1988
Christmas in Tattertown
Director
- 1983
- 1982
Hey Good Lookin'
Director
- 1981
The Cigarette and the Weed
Director
1970s
- 1978
- 1977
- 1975
The Monsterizer
Director
- 1973
Heavy Traffic
Director
- 1972
1960s
- 1967
Mouse Trek
Director
Baron Von Go-Go
Director
Mini-Squirts
Director
The Fuz
Director
Marvin Digs
Director
Fancy Plants
Director
Traffic Trouble
Director
The Opera Caper
Director
Give Me Liberty
Director
The Heat's Off
Director
- 1966
Scuba Duba Do
Director
Dr. Ha-Ha
Director
The Monster Master
Director
- 1965
The Third Musketeer
Director
Dress Reversal
Director
Don't Spill the Beans
Director
Gadmouse: The Apprentice Good Fairy
Director
Wrote 18
2020s
- 2023
Midwest
Writer
2010s
- 2015
Last Days of Coney Island
Writer
- 2012
Trickle Dickle Down
Writer
1990s
- 1997
Malcom and Melvin
Writer
Babe, He Calls Me
Writer
- 1995
- 1994
Cool and the Crazy
Writer
1980s
- 1989
This Ain't Bebop
Writer
- 1988
Christmas in Tattertown
Characters
- 1983
- 1982
Hey Good Lookin'
Writer
- 1981
The Cigarette and the Weed
Writer
1970s
- 1977
- 1975
- 1973
Heavy Traffic
Screenplay
- 1972
Produced 13
2010s
- 2015
Last Days of Coney Island
Producer
- 2012
Trickle Dickle Down
Producer
1990s
- 1997
1980s
- 1989
The Butter Battle Book
Producer
- 1983
- 1982
Hey Good Lookin'
Producer
- 1981
1970s
- 1977
1960s
- 1967
Mouse Trek
Executive Producer
Mini-Squirts
Executive Producer
The Fuz
Executive Producer
Marvin Digs
Executive Producer
Visual effects 12
1990s
- 1997
Babe, He Calls Me
Animation
- 1995
1980s
- 1984
- 1981
The Cigarette and the Weed
Animation
1960s
- 1967
Mini-Squirts
Character Designer
Traffic Trouble
Supervising Animation Director
- 1966
Scuba Duba Do
Animation
- 1965
Gadmouse: The Apprentice Good Fairy
Animation
- 1961
The Unsung Hero
Visual Effects
- 1960
The Mysterious Package
Animation
House of Hashimoto
Animation
Acted in 10
2020s
- 2023
Midwest
Movie
2000s
- 2003
Ren & Stimpy Adult Party Cartoon
Ralph Bakshi (voice) · 2 episodes
1990s
- 1997
Malcom and Melvin
Super Hero
Babe, He Calls Me
Super Hero
1980s
- 1981
The Cigarette and the Weed
Cigarette / Weed (voice)
1970s
- 1977
- 1975
- 1973
Heavy Traffic
Various Characters (voice) (uncredited)
Created 4
1990s
- 1997
1980s
- 1987
Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures
Creator
1960s
- 1966
The Mighty Heroes
Creator
- 1965
Possible Possum
Creator
Art department 2
1990s
- 1991
The Ren & Stimpy Show
Storyboard Artist
1960s
- 1967
Marvin Digs
Production Design
Other crew 1
1960s
- 1967
Mini-Squirts
Creator
Camera 1
1970s
- 1975
Appearances5
2010s
- 2011
Adventures in Plymptoons!
Self
- 2010
Forging Through the Darkness: The Ralph Bakshi Vision for 'The Lord of the Rings'
Himself
Breaking the Mold: The Re-Making of Mighty Mouse
Self
2000s
- 2003
Frazetta: Painting with Fire
Self
1970s
- 1972
Thanked in the credits1
2010s
- 2010
Forging Through the Darkness: The Ralph Bakshi Vision for 'The Lord of the Rings'
Thanks