Martin Bernard Taras (9 August 1914 – 2 November 1994), also known as Morrie Tarasinsky, was an Americancartoonist who mostly worked atFamous Studios, theNew York–based animation division ofParamount Pictures.[1]
Taras started his animation career atVan Beuren Studios in 1934 until its closing in 1936. He was involved in the1937 Fleischer Studios strike, but abandoned it shortly after to take a job forJam Handy. Following a stint atTerrytoons in the early 1940s, Taras became an animator at Fleischer Studios' successor Famous Studios, where he is known for the creation ofBaby Huey. Huey debuted in the first Casper comic issue in September 1949, six months before his animated debut in the short "Quack-A-Doodle-Doo". Taras also animated films and drew comic books featuring characters such asCasper the Friendly Ghost,Spooky the Tuff Little Ghost,Rags Rabbit,Wendy the Good Little Witch,Herman and Katnip, andBuzzy the Funny Crow.[1][2][3] Taras departed Famous in 1956 to return to Terrytoons, then under the supervision ofGene Deitch.
Taras also served as animator and/or designer for television programs such asBatfink,Spider-Man (The 1967 series),Josie and the Pussycats,Super Friends; and for theatrical motion pictures such asFritz The Cat,Lord of the Rings, andWizards.[2]
