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Who was J. Michael Mendel?
J. Michael Mendel was a renowned animation producer who won four Emmy Awards for his work on The Simpsons and Rick and Morty. He was born on September 24, 1964, in Radford, Virginia, USA. He attended Monroe-Woodbury High School in Woodbury, Central Valley, New York, and later Syracuse University. He started his career as a production assistant on TV shows such as ABC’s long-running soap operas All My Children and Loving. He later worked with James L. Brooks on films such as Broadcast News, Big, and Jerry Maguire. He joined The Simpsons in 1989 and worked as a producer, co-producer, and associate producer until 1999. He then produced shows such as The PJs, The Oblongs, Drawn Together, Sit Down, Shut Up, and Napoleon Dynamite. In 2013, he joined Rick and Morty, where he won two more Emmys for the episodes “Pickle Rick” and “The Vat of Acid Episode”.
How did J. Michael Mendel die?
According to his wife, Juel Bestrop, an Emmy-winning casting director, Mendel died of natural causes on Sunday night, September 22, 2019, at their home in Studio City, Los Angeles. He was 54 years old, just two days shy of his 55th birthday. His death was unexpected and shocked his colleagues, friends, and fans. He is survived by his wife and two children.
What are the tributes to J. Michael Mendel?
Many people in the animation industry and beyond paid tribute to Mendel on social media and other platforms. Justin Roiland, the co-creator of Rick and Morty, tweeted that he was devastated and heartbroken by the loss of his friend and partner. Al Jean, the showrunner of The Simpsons, posted a photo of Mendel with the Simpsons staff and expressed his condolences to his family. Adult Swim, the network that airs Rick and Morty, released a statement praising Mendel’s talent, professionalism, and kindness. Other celebrities, such as Seth Green, Mike Barnes, and Brandon Williams, also shared their memories and appreciation of Mendel. The 31st season premiere of The Simpsons, “The Winter of Our Monetized Content”, was dedicated to his memory, as was the 4th season premiere and the entirety of Season 6 of Rick and Morty, as well as the pilot episode of Solar Opposites.
Why is J. Michael Mendel’s death important?
J. Michael Mendel’s death is a huge loss for the animation world and the entertainment industry in general. He was a prolific and influential producer who contributed to some of the most popular and acclaimed animated shows of all time. He was also a mentor, a friend, and a family man who touched many lives with his generosity, humor, and passion. He will be remembered as a legend and an inspiration by his peers and his fans. His legacy will live on through his work and his impact.