Lee Gunther

Lee Gunther (1935-2008) was an animation producer, notably at Marvel Productions. He was executive producer on Muppet Babies for the first four seasons (1984-1988) and shared in three Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Animated Program. He filled the same function on Little Muppet Monsters, while on the animated version of [[Fraggle Rock, he was executive in charge of production. For the 1990 special Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue, Gunther was on the executive committee along with the producers of the other animated series involved.

Gunther began his animation career with DePatie-Freleng in the 1960s as a film editor, editing outsourced Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts featuring Daffy Duck and Speedy Gonzales, as well as DPF's own series of shorts starring The Pink Panther, The Inspector, the Ant and the Aardvark, and others. He filled the same function on the studio's TV series (Here Comes the Grump, The Houndcats, and more).

Beginning in 1973, on DePatie-Freleng's "Hoot Kloot" theatrical shorts, Gunther was credited as in charge of production (or executive in charge of production). He retained the title on specials (including several from Dr. Seuss), Return to the Planet of the Apes, The Fantastic Four (1978), more Pink Panther shorts and series, and Daffy Duck's Easter Show.

When DePatie-Freleng disbanded (after Friz Freleng returned to Warner Bros.) and remaining staff transitioned into Marvel Productions, Gunther was a founding producer and remained executive in charge of production or executive producer on Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, The Incredible Hulk, G. I. Joe, My Little Pony, Transformers and others. Lather forming his own animation company, Gunther-Wahl Productions, he produced Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa and Nickelodeon's The Angry Beavers.