Jim Smith (animator)

James Carl Smith was an American animator and musician. He worked on Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures with his long-time working partner John Kricfalusi. Smith later briefly worked on Tiny Toon Adventures, and then along with Kricfalusi, Bob Camp and Lynne Naylor he founded Spümcø, where he co-developed The Ren & Stimpy Show in 1991 and The Ripping Friends in 2001. He was notable for remaining faithful to Kricfalusi, having refused to join Games Animation, working with Kricfalusi on his projects amid other work until Cans Without Labels.

Life and career

Smith was born in Lubbock, Texas on October 8, 1954. He composed and played the guitar for the Ren & Stimpy music theme intro, performing alongside production assistant Scott Huml and co-worker Chris Reccardi.
His main influence is Frank Frazetta, but also Miguel Covarrubias, Chuck Jones, and Jack Kirby as well as Mad Magazine.
Smith died of a heart attack on May 2, 2025, at the age of 70. His former Spümcø colleagues Bob Camp and Richard Pursel used their respective social media profiles to pay tribute to him.