It’s with a heavy heart we report the passing of Jules Bass. Even if you don’t immediately recognize the names of Arthur Rankin Jr. and Bass, you probably know their creations. Under the header of Rankin/Bass Productions, the duo produced some all time classic holiday animation specials, among other things. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “The Year Without a Santa Claus,” all Rankin/Bass.
Along with co-directing and producing the previously mentioned holiday classics, he and Rankin were also responsible for directing one of the non-Disney animated classics, “The Last Unicorn.” While not very successful in its initial run, it has since become a cult classic. that is fondly remembered enough to where when any news pops up about it, we tend to cover it here.
Rankin/Bass was also responsible for the animated “The Hobbit” and “The Return of the King” films. Which for many, were the first adaptation they saw of J.R.R. Tolkien‘s tales of Middle-Earth.
Of course, it can’t go without mentioning that Rankin/Bass was also responsible for the animated features of “The Hobbit” and “The Return of the King” which for many, were the first adaptation they saw of J.R.R. Tolkien‘s Middle-Earth franchise.
Additionally, the duo were responsible for directing another classic of animation in the form of “ThunderCats.” While being a far cry from the world of stop-motion, their experience in the field helped the series become the franchise that it was and still is to this day. Bass was also credited on writing several of the episodes in addition to his direction duties. Also, while not nearly as popular as “ThunderCats” Bass also served as a showrunner for “SilverHawks.”
Bass was also a factor in the music to many of the projects he worked on, occasionally being credited as a composer or lyricist alongside the main musical force to these projects, Maury Laws.
Arthur Rankin passed away in 2014. If there’s something more beyond this life, we’d like to think that the two of them can look back on their work together, knowing how they shaped the imaginations of millions. Our hearts go out to the families of Jules Bass, hoping that they find peace at this time.
Bass passed away in an assisted living home in Rye, New York on October 25th, 2022 at the age of 87. He will live on in history as a legend in the animation industry.
