David H. DePatie | |
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Born |
David Hudson DePatie May 26, 1935 Los Angeles, California, United States |
Occupation | Producer, businessman (Founder of DFE) |
Years active | 1957–present |
David Hudson DePatie (born May 26, 1935) is an American film and television producer. He was the last executive in charge of the original Warner Bros. Cartoons cartoon studio. He also formed DePatie-Freleng Enterprises and was an executive producer at Marvel Productions.
Leon Schlesinger was the production executive of Leon Schlesinger Productions until his retirement in 1944 when Warner Bros. bought the animation department and renamed it to Warner Bros. Cartoons, Inc. Eddie Selzer then became the production executive until 1958.John W. Burton then became producer for a few years until Burton accepted a position of another company that Leon Schlesinger founded called Pacific Title and Art. David H. DePatie became production executive in 1961, taking over for Burton.
In 1962, at the height of television popularity and decline in moviegoing, DePatie was informed that the cartoon studio was going to be shut down. Shortly afterwards when Warner Bros. Cartoons closed down in 1963, significant production changes occurred for new Warner Bros. cartoons produced by the newly formed DePatie-Freleng Enterprises. David H. DePatie received on-screen production credit and music composer/cartoon director Friz Freleng was promoted to producer.Chuck Jones left for Tom and Jerry theatricals and television adaptations. Character appearances were limited to Granny, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Sylvester, Speedy Gonzales, Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner, The Goofy Gophers, and Witch Hazel. Production was subcontracted to Format Films.