Russell P. "Rusty" Mills (c. December 16, 1962 – December 7, 2012) was an American

animator An animator is an artist who creates images, known as frames, which give an illusion of movement called animation when displayed in rapid sequence. Animators can work in a variety of fields including film, television, and video games. Animat ...

, director and producer. A Primetime Emmy winner, Mills was best known for his work with Warner Bros. Animation, including ''

Animaniacs ''Animaniacs'' is an American Animated series, animated Comedy television, comedy Musical film, musical television series created by Tom Ruegger and produced by Warner Bros. Television Animation. It originally aired on Fox Broadcasting Company ...

'', ''

Tiny Toon Adventures ''Tiny Toon Adventures'' is an American animated television series created by Tom Ruegger and produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It originally aired from September 14, 1990 to December 6, 1992, airing in syndication before eventually settling a ...

'', and '' Pinky and the Brain''. Mills was a five time

Emmy The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the year, each with their own set of rules and award catego ...

winner, receiving one Primetime Emmy and four Daytime Emmy awards.

Early life and career

Mills, a native of

Winston-Salem, North Carolina Winston-Salem is a city in Forsyth County, North Carolina, United States, and its county seat. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 249,545, making it the List of municipalities in North Carolina, fifth-most populous ...

, graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts high school in 1980. He then completed his studies at

California Institute of the Arts The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) is a Private university, private art school in Santa Clarita, California. It was incorporated in 1961 as the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the US created specifically for ...

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

after high school. He worked as a freelance animator following college before joining Warner Bros. Animation, where he worked for approximately ten years. His production credits with Warner Bros. included ''

'' and ''

'', which he worked on directly with

Steven Spielberg Steven Allan Spielberg ( ; born December 18, 1946) is an American filmmaker. A major figure of the New Hollywood era and pioneer of the modern blockbuster, Spielberg is widely regarded as one of the greatest film directors of all time and is ...

one of the show's producers. In 1996, Mills won a

Primetime Emmy Award The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Owned and operated by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the P ...

for his work on " A Pinky and the Brain Christmas," a

Christmas Christmas is an annual festival commemorating Nativity of Jesus, the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a Religion, religious and Culture, cultural celebration among billions of people Observance of Christmas by coun ...

episode of the animated television series, '' Pinky and the Brain'', which aired in December 1995. Mills had directed that particular holiday episode of the series. During his career, Mills also won four Daytime Emmys and received eight Emmy nominations. Mills' additional television animated credits included '' Garfield's Thanksgiving'' in 1989, '' Pinky, Elmyra & the Brain'', ''

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse ''Mickey Mouse Clubhouse'' is an American animated interactive children's television series for preschoolers. Produced by Disney Television Animation, the series was created by Disney veteran Bobs Gannaway. The series originally aired 125 epi ...

'', '' Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman'', '' Pink Panther and Pals'', and '' The Replacements''. His last credited work was for the 2011 animated television special, '' A Very Pink Christmas'', with the '' Pink Panther''.

Death

Mills died from colon cancer on December 7, 2012, at the age of 49. He is survived by his wife, Andrea; son, Evan; his mother, Janet Mills; and sister, Linda Hough.

References

External links

WIA/LA Joins Community To Help Rusty Mills
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mills, Rusty 1962 births 2012 deaths American animated film directors American animated film producers American television directors American television producers Annie Award winners Primetime Emmy Award winners Daytime Emmy Award winners Deaths from colorectal cancer in California California Institute of the Arts alumni University of North Carolina School of the Arts alumni People from Winston-Salem, North Carolina Warner Bros. Animation people