Fleischer Studios

Created in the early 20th century by brothers Max and Dave Fleischer, Fleischer Studios was a pioneer in the art and craft of animation and were responsible for creating and animating some of the most beloved characters in American animation, including Betty Boop and Koko the Clown . The studio was also renowned for its animation of two extremely popular comic-strip characters: Popeye (originally created by Elzie Segar ) and Superman (originally created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster ). The artists of Fleischer Studios were not only animators; they were innovators as well. Known for their groundbreaking marriage of live action with animation, their ingenious “bouncing ball ” cartoons, their gritty, urban and often surreal landscapes, their jazz cartoons featuring early film footage of the era’s popular artists (including the very first film footage of Cab Calloway !) and many inventions including Max’s rotoscope and “set-back ” process. The influence of Fleischer Studios can be seen today in everything from music videos to karaoke to Japanese anime. Today, Max Fleischer’s grandson, Mark Fleischer, serves as Chairman and CEO of Fleischer Studios. An entertainment executive and attorney, Mark helms a dedicated team of artists and innovators to bring Betty Boop and all the Fleischer characters into the 21st century. Fleischer Studios works in close partnership with Global Icons, Inc. , the exclusive worldwide licensing agent for all the Fleischer characters, to develop new and exciting opportunities for beloved Fleischer characters around the globe, including media, merchandising and more. An entertainment executive and attorney, Mark helms a dedicated team of artists and innovators to bring Betty Boop and all the Fleischer characters into the 21st century, and works in close partnership with Global Icons, Inc. , the exclusive worldwide licensing agent for all the Fleischer characters, to development new and exciting opportunities for beloved Fleischer characters around the globe including media, merchandising and more. Max’s granddaughter Ginny Mahoney is a visual artist with an extensive career in developing and designing exhibits for the Smithsonian Institution, The National Museum of Jewish Military History, and throughout her 16-year tenure as Head of Design & Exhibit Planning for the National Zoo. She is the Founder of The Fleischer Studios Collection , an ongoing archive of photos, recordings and other media that preserve and celebrate the physical and intellectual legacy of Fleischer Studios. She was instrumental in the design and creation of the Fleischer Studios website and curated many of the digital exhibits featured there. Max's great-granddaughter, Jeni Mahoney, is a playwright, dramaturg, theater director and Founding Artistic Director of Seven Devils Playwrights Conference . Her plays have been presented at theaters across the country. She served as Head of Playwriting at New York University/Tisch's Playwrights Horizons Theatre School for more than a decade. She is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the National Theatre Conference. Jeni puts her narrative and film editing skills to work as FSI's V.P. of Digital Media and Historian. More at jenimahoney.com Max's granddaughter Jane Fleischer Reid, corporate Secretary of Fleischer Studios, created the Studio's Filmography. She is also the CEO of Fabulous Fleischer Cartoons Restored, LLC, which is in the process of reconstructing and restoring the entire Fleischer cartoon library. A Managing Partner with Browne, Gordon & Van Raalte, Peter has more than 30 years of experience licensing in retail and promotions. He served as Senior Vice President for Cablevision's Madison Square Garden Entertainment division where he was responsible for all in-venue retail stores, and for developing licensing, merchandise, and collectible programs for the New York Rangers, Knicks, and Liberty, Radio City Music Hall, The Christmas Spectacular, and The Rockettes. He also served