PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland animator Mark Gustafson, who won an Emmy in 1992 and an Oscar last year for his work on Guillermo del Toro's "Pinocchio," has died at 64, according to multiple reports.
The news was first reported by del Toro on social media and The Oregonian. Deadline reported Gustafson had a heart attack.
Gustafson co-directed del Toro's stop-motion take on the classic film, "Pinocchio," which won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year in 2023. When he accepted the Oscar onstage, Gustafson said, "It's so good to know this art form that we love so much, stop motion, is very much alive and well."
In a social media post Friday, del Toro called Gustafson a "legend" and a "friend."
"I admired Mark Gustafson, even before I met him. A pillar of stop motion animation- a true artist. A compassionate, sensitive and mordantly witty man. A Legend- and a friend that inspired and gave hope to all around him. He passed away yesterday. Today we honor and miss him," del Toro wrote.
During an appearance on Good Morning America in January 2023, Gustafson said that the group of people working on "Pinocchio" became like a family. "We just go out and you get the best people you can find and we've become a family over a period of years working on this," he said.
"Pinocchio" was filmed, in part, at the Portland studio of ShadowMachine, an animation studio and production house which has studios in Portland and Los Angeles. Alex Bulkley, co-founder and co-owner of ShadowMachine, was a producer on the film and worked with Gustafson.
"Mark was a world-class creative. Very down to earth and humble, kind-hearted in his approach to filmmaking. Really the epitome of the Portland animation community and, you know, a legend," Bulkley said. "I think his legacy will live on in his body of work. Those who've had the pleasure and opportunity to work alongside him would agree. He's just a one-of-a-kind creative and leaves a big, gaping hole in the hearts of all of us here."
Bulkley said Gustafson brought fun and humor to his work.
"In an industry like Hollywood and entertainment, you just don't find a lot of good ones like Mark," Bulkley said. "He stood out in his attitude and incredible sense of humor, through even the most challenging productions. I'm not alone in holding Mark to the highest level of respect in an industry that revered him."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gustafson worked on the stop-motion "California Raisins" characters early in his career at Will Vinton Studios in Portland and was an animation director on Wes Anderson's 2009 stop-motion film "Fantastic Mr. Fox," which was also nominated for an Oscar. He was also an animator on Planters' "Mr. Peanut" campaign.
Gustafson won an Emmy in 1992 for a 1992 special, "Claymation Easter," which he directed and co-wrote, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Survivors include his wife, Jennifer.
Bulkley said they're working with Gustafson's wife, Jennifer, on a memorial service and said they'll put that information out there as soon as they have it. "For those that want to be part of a memorial, we'll be sure to make sure everyone is invited," he said.