Jim Smith (animator)

Jim Smith
Smith in 2010
Born
James Carl Jobb

(1954-10-08)October 8, 1954
Lubbock, Texas, U.S.
DiedMay 2, 2025(2025-05-02) (aged 70)
Occupations
  • Animator
  • writer
  • storyboard artist
  • musician
Years active1984–2019
Known forThe Ren & Stimpy Show
Samurai Jack
The X's
Tiny Toon Adventures
The Ripping Friends
Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures
Batman: The Animated Series
Spouse? (divorced)[1]

James Carl Smith (né Jobb; October 8, 1954 – May 2, 2025) was an American animator and musician. He worked on Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures with his long-time working partner John Kricfalusi.[2] Smith later briefly worked on Tiny Toon Adventures, and then along with Kricfalusi, Bob Camp and Lynne Naylor he founded Spümcø, where he co-developed The Ren & Stimpy Show (from which he departed in 1992 alongside Kricfalusi) in 1991 and The Ripping Friends in 2001. He was notable for remaining faithful to Kricfalusi, having refused to join Games Animation (though he worked on The X's after its rebranding to Nickelodeon Animation Studio), working with Kricfalusi on his projects amid other work until Cans Without Labels (2019).[3][4]

Life and career

Smith was born in Lubbock, Texas on October 8, 1954.[5] He composed and played the guitar for the Ren & Stimpy music theme intro, performing alongside production assistant Scott Huml and co-worker Chris Reccardi.

His main influence is Frank Frazetta, but also Miguel Covarrubias, Chuck Jones and Jack Kirby, as well as Mad Magazine.[6]

Smith died of a heart attack on May 2, 2025, at the age of 70.[7][8] His former Spümcø colleagues Bob Camp[9] and Richard Pursel[10] used their respective social media profiles to pay tribute to him.

Filmography

Sources:[11][12]

References

  1. ↑ "Jim Smith interview". YouTube. June 6, 2011. Archived from the original on August 29, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  2. ↑ Sito, Tom (2006). Drawing the Line. p. 231. ISBN 9780813171487.
  3. ↑ Komorowski, Thad (2017). Sick Little Monkeys: The Unauthorized Ren & Stimpy Story. Bear Manor Media. ISBN 978-1629331836.
  4. ↑ "The Free Lance-Star". The Free Lance-Star – via Google Books.
  5. ↑ Texas Births, 1926–1995, James Carl Jobb[link removed]
  6. ↑ "Jim Smith". lambiek.net. Archived from the original on May 4, 2025. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  7. ↑ Zahed, Ramin (May 3, 2025). "'Ren & Stimpy' Artist and Spümcø Co-founder Jim Smith Has Died, Age 70". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on May 4, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  8. ↑ "In Memoriam: Jim Smith". Overstreet Access. May 6, 2025. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Bob Camp". www.facebook.com.
  10. ↑ @dickp2000; (May 2, 2025). "Oh man, we've lost another one of my artistic heroes, Jim Smith. I met Jim working my first animation gig on Tiny Toon Adventures where he had already commanded respect as one of the best in the business. He studied classic film composition, taught life drawing. He was a mentor, patient, and humble. His skills were undeniable. Rest in Peace, Jim. You made the world a much better place". Retrieved May 4, 2025 – via Instagram.
  11. ↑ "'Ren & Stimpy' Co-Developer, Character Designer Jim Smith Passes at 70". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on November 22, 2025. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  12. ↑ Amidi, Amid (May 6, 2025). "Jim Smith, Co-Founder Of Spümcø, Dies At 70". www.cartoonbrew.com.


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