Phil De Lara

Career

Phil De Lara began work as an animator in the late 1930s, working for Warner Brothers. He worked with Warner Brothers until 1943, and again between 1946 and 1955. During this time he animated many famous characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Foghorn Leghorn. His first comic book work was in 1943 for Tick Tock Tales. This was followed in 1950 with his first work for Disney comics for whom he would work for the remainder of his life. He was the head artist on Disney's Chip 'n' Dale comics, and also did work on other notable Disney comics, such as Donald DuckHe also produced a great deal of Disney content for the foreign market. Five years later he began work with MGM, for whom he produced artwork for Tom & Jerry among others, and also Walter Lantz, for whom he produced artwork for Woody Woodpecker and Chilly Willy among others. His tenure with both companies lasted until 1962, though he returned to MGM in 1964 to work on Woody Woodpecker, and continued working there until 1971. Also in the 1960s he worked for Hanna-Barbera on The Flintstones, Yogi Bear and Scooby-Doo, among others. He left Hanna-Barbera in 1971, and began work with DePatie-Freleng, where he worked on the Pink Panther and The Inspector until 1973. 

Personal Life

De Lara was born in 1911. He served in the army between 1943 and 1946. He died in 1973; he was 61.