Andy Heyward
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 alumnis to become successful in the animation business, Andy Heyward has been nicknamed the "Roger Corman of animation".
History
Andy Heywards started his career in the animaion business as a writer for Hanna-Barbera, but left to become head of the newly-formed American division of the French animation producer DIC. Although initially tended to simply distribute and translate DIC's productions, the American chapter soon expanded and started to develop successful properties on its own (most notably, wikipedia:Inspector Gadget:Inspector Gadget). Andy Heyward acquired the company from original founder Jean Chalopin in 1987, making DiC a purely American operation.
Andy Heyward approached Nintendo with the proposal to make the Mario animated series, and was executive producer on all three shows. Heyward also played the role of Howard Stevens in the The Super Mario Bros. Super Show 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
- The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 - Executive Producer
- Super Mario World - Executive Producer, Creative Supervisor