2004 Award Recipient

The Animation Writers Caucus of the Writers Guild of America, west will present its seventh annual Animation Writing Award for lifetime achievement in the medium to Jack Mendelsohn at its annual reception to be held Thursday, November 4, 2004, at WGAw headquarters in Los Angeles.

"As both a writer and an advocate for his fellow writers, Jack has left more than his mark in the animation field in both film and television. Helping shape our lives by creating quality programming throughout the years for all ages, he has left a lasting impression and a legacy that will endure for years to come," said Daniel Petrie Jr., president of the Writers Guild of America, west.

"Jack Mendelsohn's work as a writer and a story editor does credit to our industry. His work on shows such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles helped shape our field in the 1980's, and his script for The Beatles' Yellow Submarine was a landmark by any standard," said Craig Miller, chair of the Caucus.

For several decades, Mendelsohn has been a fixture in the film and television animation industry, penning literally hundreds of hours of award-winning animated programming. Early in his career, he co-wrote the screenplay for The Beatles' groundbreaking 1968 Yellow Submarine animated feature film, and while working as studio creative director at Hanna-Barbera, Mendelsohn wrote, developed, and produced live-action and animated projects for primetime and Saturday morning fare.

Working for a host of industry powerhouses like Marvel, DIC, Saban, Filmation, and Canal Plus over the years, Mendelsohn served as story editor for countless animated series, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Archie, Groovie Ghoulies, Dennis the Menace, Teddy Ruxpin, and James Bond, Jr., New Adventures of He-man, Donkey Kong, and Toon Town Tots for Disney. He also served as head writer for popular animated kids' series as George of the Jungle and Super Chicken. In addition, he co-wrote the primetime cartoon special Hey, Hey, It's Fat Albert! Mendelsohn was a producer/consultant on the Daytime Emmy-winning Muppet Babies series.

Mendelsohn's talents have also crossed over to the live-action television world, serving as staff writer on hit variety series such as Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and Tony Orlando & Dawn, as well as receiving Emmy nominations for his work on The Carol Burnett Show (1971, Outstanding Achievement in Variety of Music) and Van Dyke and Company (1976, Outstanding Writing in A Comedy-Variety or Music Special). Mendelsohn also served as executive story consultant on comedy sitcoms including Three's Company, Doc, and Carter Country.

Founded in 1994, the WGAw Animation Writers Caucus represents over 600 animation writers and works to advance economic and creative conditions in their field. Through organizing efforts, educational events, and networking opportunities, the Caucus is a leading proponent for animation writers.