Animation legend Jules Bass dies

Last Updated on November 1, 2022

Jules Bass, one half of the legendary animation team Rankin/Bass, has died. He was 87.

Jules Bass’ career is forever linked to Arthur Rankin Jr.–which certainly isn’t a bad thing, since the duo played major roles in creating some of the most iconic Christmas movies ever. 

Rankin/Bass was of course best known for their holiday classics Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), Frosty the Snowman (1969), Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970), and so many more. But now that it’s October, let’s not forget Mad Monster Party? (1967), which had the benefit of the voice talents of Boris Karloff, who lent his distinct vocals as Baron Boris von Frankenstein, a take on Victor Frankenstein, the creator of Karloff’s most famous role of Frankenstein’s Monster.

While Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer remains one of the duo’s true classics, it wasn’t until three years later that Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass began co-directing for their studio. From there, they co-directed nearly three dozen short films, both traditional and stop-motion. But these weren’t just holiday fare. There, too, was 1977’s The Hobbit and 1982’s The Last Unicorn, both of which have their own cult following.

James Bass mostly retired from the business in the 1980s with the animated show ThunderCats, although he does have a credit as consulting producer on two of the franchise’s 21st-century additions.

Bass’ partner, Arthur Rankin Jr., passed away in 2014 at the age of 89. Prior to his death, he said the following of his partner Jules Bass: “We sort of complemented each other. He had certain talents that I didn’t have, and I had certain talents that he didn’t have. I was basically an artist and a creator; he was a creator and a writer and a lyricist.”

Pay your respects to the late, great Jules Bass below.