Andy Heyward
Andrew A. Heyward, more commonly known as Andy Heyward, is a long-time animation producer who was chairman of DiC Entertainment for most of its existence. Due to DiC's cost-cutting philosophy and the tendency of DiC alumni to become successful in the animation business, Andy Heyward has been nicknamed the "Roger Corman of animation."[1].
History
Heyward started his career in the animation business as a writer for Hanna-Barbera, but left to become head of the newly-formed American division of the French animation producer DIC in 1982. Although initially intended to simply distribute and translate DIC's productions, the American chapter soon expanded and started to develop successful properties on its own (most notably, Inspector Gadget). Andy Heyward acquired the company from founder Jean Chalopin in 1987, making DiC a purely American operation.
Andy Heyward approached Nintendo with the proposal to make the Mario animated series[2], and was executive producer on all three shows. Heyward also played the role of Howard Stevens in the The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! live-action segment "The Painting", and appeared as himself in a segment of Club Mario, where he was harassed by Tommy Treehugger and Co M.C. while visiting DiC's studio.
Works
- The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! - Executive Producer, Creative Music Supervisor, Concept by
King Koopa's Kool Kartoons - Executive Producer
- The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 - Executive Producer
- Super Mario World - Executive Producer, Creative Supervisor
References
- ^ Mallory, Michael (August 23, 2013). "The University of DIC". Animation Magazine. Retrieved July 10, 2016
- ^ Canoe: Super Mario Bros. Super Show hit a high score
