Four-time Emmy Award-winning animation producer J. Michael Mendel has passed away at the age of 54.
Mendel was best known for his work on “The Simpsons” and “Rick and Morty,”.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Mendel died of natural causes at his Studio City home on Sunday night.
A spokesperson for Adult Swim, the network where “Rick and Morty” airs, confirmed the death in a statement, saying,
“All of us at Adult Swim are devastated by the untimely passing of Mike Mendel. Mike was the heart of the ‘Rick and Morty’ production family, his fantastic talent and wit will be sorely missed. Mike was a universally respected Emmy-winning producer with over 25 years in the industry, who guided and supported a generation of artists, writers and creators and his absence will be felt by the entire community. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.”
Mendel joined “The Simpsons” in 1989 after leaving his post on “The Tracey Ullman” show once the Simpson clan earned its own spinoff series. He also served as a line producer and worked between James L. Brooks’ Gracie Films and Fox.
Born on Sept. 24, 1964, Mendel attended Syracuse University after graduating from Monroe Woodbury High School in Woodbury, New York. Before serving on projects like “Big” and “Jerry Maguire,” he was a production assistant on “Broadcast News” in 1987. He worked on all three projects with Brooks. His animation credits include “The PJs,” “The Oblongs,” and “Napoleon Dynamite.”
Mendel is survived by his wife, fellow Emmy winner and casting director Juel Bestrop.
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