| Rick Ungar | |
|---|---|
| Born | Richard Ungar November 4, 1950 Youngstown, Ohio |
| Occupation | Writer/Producer |
| Nationality | American |
| Notable work(s) | Biker Mice from Mars |
Richard "Rick" Ungar (born in Youngstown, Ohio in 1950) is a writer/executive producer in the world animation industry. His first creation, Biker Mice From Mars, which began its first run in the United States and the United Kingdom in 1993, became one of the most successful animated television programs of its time, spinning off some 400 licensed products throughout the world.[1][2]
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Ungar became president of Marvel Productions in 1992, where he served as co-executive producer on the original "X-Men" animated series for Fox Kids. While at Marvel Productions, Ungar served as executive producer, in partnership with Avi Arad and Stan Lee, on additional animated television programs including "Iron Man", "Fantastic Four" and "The Hulk".
In 1995, Ungar became president of New World Entertainment Domestic Television. New World was the parent company of Marvel Productions until it was sold to News Corporation in 1997. During this period, Ungar launched, along with televiison industry legend Brandon Tartikoff, the long running entertainment news television program "Access Hollywood", on NBC.
In 1999, Ungar returned to his Marvel roots as president of the Marvel Character Group where he oversaw all television production and other aspects of Marvel's exploding business. During his second run at Marvel, Ungar executive produced the popular animated series "X-Men Evolution" for the Kids WB and the live action "Mutant X".
In 2009, Ungar became more interested in his years long study of health care policy in the United States and left the animation world to begin writing on the subject of the online site, Culture11. From there he moved on to True/Slant before ending up at Forbes.com, writing on health care policy and politics from a more liberal perspective than what is typically found at Forbes. He currently can be read on Forbes.com and is a frequent guest on American radio programs.
Since 2003, Ungar has returned to creating and executive producing primarily his own creations and has become one of the busiest animation writer/producers in the world. He produced the all new Biker Mice From Mars, which launched in the UK in 2006 and quickly became the most popular Saturday morning television show in the country. However, its high ratings were not long lasting, as it didn't live up to the original series from the 90's and fans reaction was mostly negative.
Ungar also created, wrote and produced Legend of the Dragon which airs on broadcasters throughout the world, including Toon Disney in the United States. Ungar also co-created an all new version of the popular Zorro character, writing and producing "Zorro: Generation Z," along with his self-created series, "Dork Hunters From Outer Space," which was purchased for a two year run by poplular UK television broadcaster, GMTV. Zorro: Generation Z was released internationally, but never received clearance to air in the U.S. market. It is particularly notable as one of the last programs released from BKN, which filed for insolvency in 2009.