Rick and Morty producer Mendel passes away at 54
The animator won three Emmys for his work on “The Simpsons” in 1995, 1997 and 1998
Four-time Emmy award winning producer, J Michael Mendel has died at the age of 54. The animator, who showcased his brilliancy through popular animation show "Rick and Morty" and "The Simpsons," died peacefully at his home.
His wife, the Emmy-winning casting director, Juel Bestrop confirmed the news to the Hollywood Reporter saying her husband died of natural causes on Sunday night.
Justin Roiland, co-creator of Rick and Morty was devastated when he posted the news on his twitter account. He wrote: "I don't know what I'm going to do without you by my side Mike. I'm destroyed."
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Mendel, who acted as a postproduction supervisor on the Fox's "The Tracey Ullman Show," went on to produce the first episodes of Simpsons from 1989 until 1999. The Tracey Ullman Show first launched The Simpsons as a recurring series of animated shorts.
Rick and Morty debuted in 2013 and Michael served as a line-producer for the series. He won an Emmy award for his contribution to the series in 2018.
The animator has won three Emmys for his work on The Simpsons in 1995, 1997 and 1998. He also worked as a production assistant on the films Broadcast News and Big, and also as an associate producer on Jerry Maguire show.
Mendel is survived by his wife, Juel Bestrop, and their son Jacob and daughter Jesse.
