Willard Bowsky (1907 – November 27, 1944) was an American animator best known for his work at Fleischer Studios.
Bowsky was born in 1907 in New York City and spent his childhood either living in Manhattan or across the Hudson River in New Jersey. In the 1920s, while still living with his parents, he began his career in animation.
In the late 1920s, Bowsky began working at the Fleischer Studios. He was promoted to credited animator in 1930 in Screen Song bouncing ball cartoons and Talkartoons starring Betty Boop. Bowsky began his long association with Popeye the Sailor with the 1933 cartoon Blow Me Down!. For these cartoons, Bowsky was head animator who served the functions of an animation director. Dave Fleischer, the credited director of all of the Fleischer output, actually served as creative producer and head storyman.[1]
Bowsky moved to Florida with the Fleischer Studios' relocation there in 1938. He also worked on the Superman cartoons and the Fleischer Studios' two feature length films Gulliver's Travels and Mr. Bug Goes to Town.
Shortly after Fleischer Studios was reorganized into Famous Studios in 1942, Bowsky enlisted in the U.S. Army on October 14, 1942. While most animators serving during World War II were assigned to animation studios serving the military, Bowsky did combat duty with the 14th Armored Division. He was a platoon leader with 50 men under his command in the 94th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron. Bowsky was killed in action on November 27, 1944 in a nighttime firefight with German forces east of Paris, France. Bowsky was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart and was buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-Avold, France.