1996 in animation


1996 in animation is an overview of notable events, including notable awards, list of films released, television show debuts and endings, and notable deaths.

Events

January

January 7: The Simpsons episode "Team Homer" is first broadcast.January 14: The Simpsons episode "Two Bad Neighbors" is first broadcast where Homer Simpson and George H. W. Bush collide, as well as the debut of Disco Stu.January 19: The first episode of Detective Conan, aka Case Closed, is broadcast.

February

February 4: The Simpsons episode "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield" is first broadcast, guest starring Tom Kite and having the debut of Brandine Spuckler.February 11: The Simpsons episode "Bart the Fink" is first broadcast, guest starring Bob Newhart. February 18: The Simpsons episode "Lisa the Iconoclast" is first broadcast, guest starring Donald Sutherland. February 25: The Simpsons episode "Homer the Smithers" is first broadcast.

March

March 9: The final season of Sailor Moon, Sailor Moon Sailor Stars, airs on TV Asahi.March 17: The Simpsons episode "The Day the Violence Died" is first broadcast, guest starring Kirk Douglas, Suzanne Somers and Jack Sheldon.March 24: The Simpsons episode "A Fish Called Selma" is first broadcast, guest starring Jeff Goldblum. March 25: 68th Academy Awards:

April

April 2: The first episode of Dennis and Gnasher is broadcast.April 12: Henry Selick releases James and the Giant Peach, based on Roald Dahl's 1961 eponymous novel.April 14: The Simpsons episode "22 Short Films About Springfield" premiered on Fox, featuring the famous Steamed Hams scene with Principal Skinner & Superintendent Chalmers.April 28:

May

May 5: The Simpsons episode "Much Apu About Nothing" premieres on Fox.May 18: The Dexter's Laboratory episode "Dial M for Monkey: Barbequor" airs. It was removed shortly after the broadcast allegedly due to the presence of a gay stereotype. It was later revealed that Cartoon Network got sued by Marvel Comics for copyright infringement owing to the use of the Silver Surfer parody. May 19: The Simpsons concludes its seventh season on Fox with the following episodes:

June

June 21: The Walt Disney Company releases The Hunchback of Notre Dame, directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise. The film gained much notoriety by parents and Christian groups for its dark tone in a family oriented film during the release. The reviews were positive in spite of its infamy and becomes a cult following afterwards.

July

July: The Japanese animation studio Brain's Base is founded.

August

August 13: The first episode of Stickin' Around airs.August 23: Chuck Jones' theatrical Looney Tunes short Superior Duck premieres in theaters alongside Carpool. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation & Chuck Jones Enterprises. The cartoon stars the following characters: Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Marvin the Martian, Foghorn Leghorn, Tweety, Wile E. Coyote & the Road Runner, the Tasmanian Devil, and Superman.

September

September 3: The first episode of Quack Pack airs.September 6: The first episode of Superman: The Animated Series airs.September 8: The first episode of Blue's Clues airs.September 10: The first episode of Billy the Cat airs.September 28: In The Dana Carvey Show a recurring animated segment is introduced, The Ambiguously Gay Duo, which will eventually become a part of Saturday Night Live.

October

October 7:

November

November 2: The final episode of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is broadcast.November 3: The Simpsons episode "You Only Move Twice" is first broadcast, guest starring Albert Brooks. November 10: The Simpsons episode "The Homer They Fall" is first broadcast, guest starring Michael Buffer and Paul Winfield.November 15: Space Jam, a crossover between basketball icon Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes characters, is released in theaters.November 17: The Simpsons episode "Burns, Baby Burns" is first broadcast, guest starring Rodney Dangerfield. November 24:

December

December 1: The Simpsons episode "A Milhouse Divided" is first broadcast, where Milhouse's parents divorce.December 4: After a year long hiatus, Rugrats returns to Nickelodeon for its fourth season with the premiere of the holiday special "A Rugrats Chanukah".December 5: Frank Film is added to the National Film Registry.December 10: The first episode of Once Upon a Time... The Explorers airs.December 15: The Simpsons episode "Lisa's Date with Density" is first broadcast.December 20: The animated feature film Beavis and Butt-head Do America is released. It becomes a cult film.December 29: The Simpsons episode "Hurricane Neddy" is first broadcast, guest starring Jon Lovitz.

Films released

Television series debuts

DateTitleChannelYear
February 3C Bear and JamalFox Kids1996–1997
February 24The Spooktacular New Adventures of CasperFox Kids1996–1998
April 16Amazing AnimalsDisney Channel1996–1999
April 28Dexter's LaboratoryCartoon Network1996–1999, 2001–2003
June 2Big BagCartoon Network1996–1998
August 13Stickin' AroundYTV1996–1998
August 26The Real Adventures of Jonny QuestCartoon Network1996–1997
September 2Adventures from the Book of VirtuesPBS Kids1996–2000
September 3Quack PackABC, Syndication1996
September 6Dragon FlyzSyndication1996–1997
September 6Mighty Ducks: The Animated SeriesABC, Syndication1996–1997
September 6Superman: The Animated SeriesKids' WB1996–2000
September 7Road RoversKids' WB1996–1997
September 7Captain Simian & the Space MonkeysSyndication1996–1997
September 7Brand Spankin' New! DougABC1996–1999
September 8Blue's CluesNickelodeon1996–2006
September 8Bureau of Alien DetectorsUPN1996
September 8The Incredible Hulk UPN1996–1997
September 8JumanjiUPN, Syndication1996–1999
September 9Pocket Dragon AdventuresSyndication1996–1997
September 13Dragon Ball ZSyndication, Cartoon Network1996–2003
September 14Project G.e.e.K.e.R.CBS1996
September 14Richie Rich Syndication1996
September 16Beast Wars: TransformersFox Kids1996–1999
September 21The Mouse and the MonsterUPN1996–1997
September 21All Dogs Go to Heaven: The SeriesSyndication, Fox Family Channel1996–1998
September 21Cave KidsSyndication1996
September 21Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the RealmUSA Network1996
September 21Wing Commander AcademyUSA Network1996
September 23Bruno the KidSyndication1996–1997
October 5Jungle CubsABC1996–1998
October 7ArthurPBS Kids1996–2022
October 7Hey Arnold!Nickelodeon1996–2004
October 11KaBlam!Nickelodeon1996–2000
October 19WayneheadKids' WB1996–1997
November 1The Tex Avery ShowCartoon Network1996–2002
November 3Inspector Gadget's Field TripThe History Channel1996–1998

Births

January

January 3: Florence Pugh, English actress.January 15: Dove Cameron, American actress and singer.January 24: Cathy Ang, American actress.January 26: Tati Gabrielle, American actress.

February

February 9: Jimmy Bennett, American actor.February 22: Michael Johnston, American actor.February 28: Bobb'e J. Thompson, American actor, dancer, rapper and comedian.

March

March 31: Liza Koshy, American internet personality and actress.

April

April 3: Sarah Jeffery, Canadian actress, singer, and dancer.April 14: Abigail Breslin, American actress.April 16: Anya Taylor-Joy, American actress.April 25: Allisyn Snyder, American actress, writer, artist, and director.

May

May 6: Dominic Scott Kay, American entrepreneur and former actor.May 9: Mary Mouser, American actress.May 14: James Rallison, American internet personality, cartoonist, animator and author.May 17: Ryan Ochoa, American actor.

June

June 1: Tom Holland, English actor.

July

July 11: Alessia Cara, Canadian singer and songwriter.July 16: Nicky Jones, American former child actor.

August

August 1: Cymphonique Miller, American singer and actress.

September

September 1: Zendaya, American actress and singer.September 10: Kamil McFadden, American actor.September 12: Colin Ford, American actor.September 17: Ella Purnell, English actress.

October

October 5: Mary Gibbs, American voice actress.October 19: Chance Perdomo, American actor,.October 25: Georgia Lock, English actress and presenter.

November

November 22: Madison Davenport, American actress and singer.

December

December 6: Stefanie Scott, American actress and singer.December 8: Teala Dunn, American actress and internet personality.December 9: Leah Lewis, American actress.December 11

Deaths

February

February 2:
  • * Shamus Culhane, American animator and film producer and film director, dies at age 87.
  • * Gene Kelly, American actor, singer, dancer, film director, producer and choreographer, dies at age 83.February 3: Audrey Meadows, American actress, dies at age 73.February 13: Scott Beach, American actor, dies at age 65.

March

March 6:
  • * Simon Cadell, English actor, dies at age 45.
  • * Paula Winslowe, American actress, dies at age 85.March 11: Vince Edwards, American actor and director, dies at age 67.March 15: Homer Groening, Canadian-American filmmaker and father of Matt Groening, dies at age 76.

April

April 14: Mary Oosterdijk, Dutch animator and comics artist, dies at age 82.April 17: Constantin Mustatea, American animator, dies at age 68.April 25: Saul Bass, American graphic designer, and filmmaker, dies at age 75.

May

May 8: Ed Love, American animator, dies at age 85.May 9: Carl Fallberg, American writer and cartoonist, dies at age 80.May 10: Ethel Smith, American organist, dies at age 93.May 15: Virgil Walter Ross, American animator, dies at age 88.May 24: John Abbott, English actor, dies at age 90.

June

June 5: Vito Scotti, American actor, dies at age 78.June 11: Gin, Spanish comics artist, animator and illustrator, dies at age 65.

July

July 13: Tom Coppola, American layout artist, dies at age 50.July 15: Dana Hill, American voice actress, dies from a stroke at age 32.July 23: Jim Pabian, American animator, screenwriter, and director, dies at age 87.July 29: Sean Roberge, Canadian actor, dies in a car accident at age 23.

August

August 18: Al Bertino, American animator, dies at age 84.

September

September 4: Victor Aaron, American actor, dies in a car accident at age 39.September 6: Gordon A. Sheehan, American animator and cartoonist, dies at age 86.September 23: Hiroshi Fujimoto, Japanese manga artist, dies at age 62.

October

October 8: Morey Amsterdam, American actor, comedian, writer and producer, dies at age 87.

November

November 23: George Nicholas, American animator, dies at age 85.November 30: Tiny Tim, American singer, ukulele player and musical archivist, dies from cardiac arrest at age 64.

December

December 8: Stig Lasseby, Swedish animator, director, animation producer and voice actor, dies at age 71.

Specific date unknown

  • Jim Davis, American animator and cartoonist, dies at age 80 or 81.
  • Rick Hoover, American animator and comics artist, dies at age 55 or 56.
  • Cor Icke, Dutch animator, dies at age 82 or 83.