Fernando Ruiz was the first Mexican to work at Disney Studios, as an animation assistant in the film ‘The sword in the stone’, produced in 1933
Fernando Ruiz considered the father of Mexican animation and creator of one of the most emblematic characters, Katy la Caterpillar, lost his life at the age of 79.
The unfortunate news was confirmed by Pixelatl, a festival specialized in animation, without mentioning the causes of the death of the director and animator.
Through Twitter, Pixelatl shared an image of Los Tres Reyes Magos, a film that Fernando Ruiz directed in 1976.
“We mourn the death of a pioneer of animation in Mexico: Fernando Ruiz Álvarez, who directed the first animated Mexican film The Three Kings, Rest in peace, teacher!”, The publication reads.
Who was Fernando Ruiz?
Fernando Ruiz was the first Mexican to work at Disney Studios, as an animation assistant in the film The sword in the stone, produced in 1933.
He was born in Mexico City on December 19, 1941. From the age of 8, he was interested in animation. He studied as a Film Director at the Universidad Ibero Americana from 1957 to 1961. His first experimental animated short film was El Músico, with which he won first place in the category of “Animated Shorts” at the October Festival in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Fernando became involved in the production and direction together with Adolfo Torres Portillo of the first Mexican animated film, Los Tres Reyes Magos.
In 1980, the director worked on the UNICEF project The Ten Rights of the Child, which had the opportunity to be at the Cannes Film Festival.
In addition, the filming of Katy the Caterpillar began, a film that told the story of a caterpillar that decides to leave the comfort of its home to see the world before becoming a butterfly.
On television, he directed the series Los Telerines and La bruja Chiriloca, as well as being a voice actor in productions such as Charlie’s Angels, where he voiced Bosley.
Amelia Warner
Amelia Warner writes all the Latest Articles. She mostly covers Entertainment topics, but at times loves to write about movie reviews as well.
