Shirley Silvey
Shirley Silvey (December 5, 1927 – July 17, 2010) was an American animator, whose credits included Mr. Magoo, The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, Dudley Do-Right Show and George of the Jungle.[1] Silvey was considered a pioneer in animation, as she was one of the first women to work in the field.[1]
Silvey graduated from Jepson Art Institute in Los Angeles. She began her career at United Productions of America (UPA) during the late 1950s.[1] A friend had suggested that she approach cartoon director Ed Levitt for a job at UPA, since he was looking for beginning animators and was also an alumna of Jepson Art Institute.[1] Levitt hired Silvey when he joined UPA, where she first worked in layout, storyboard and character design.[1] Her credits at UPA included Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol, 1001 Arabian Nights and The Gerald McBoing-Boing Show.[1]
Silvey moved to Jay Ward Productions in 1959.[1] She worked with Jay Ward on numerous animated cartoons, including The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, George of the Jungle, Fractured Fairy Tales, Dudley Do-Right and the Cap'n Crunch television commercials.[1] Silvey remained at Jay Ward Productions until 1973.[1] She also briefly worked on Bugs Bunny cartoons at Warner Bros..[1]
Shirley Silvey died of heart failure on July 17, 2010, in Fresno, California, at the age of 82.[1] She was survived by a daughter, two grandchildren and her brother, storyboard and design artist David Jonas.[1]