Celebrated animator, William Everett “Bud” Luckey passed away over the weekend at a hospice in Newton, Connecticut. For those not familiar with Bud Luckey’s work, Luckey is responsible for the initial concept design for Woody the cowboy from the Toy Story franchise and has a long and fabled career in animation. Lucky’s early career as an animator was for Sesame Street and The Children Television Workshop in the 1970’s where he did much of the voice work himself. Luckey continued to work in movies and television commercials until he was hired as an animator at Pixar Studios in the early 90’s.
While a Pixar Luckey was responsible for character design in Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Monster’s Inc, Finding Nemo, Cars, Ratatouille, Wall-E, Up, and Toy Story 3. Bud Luckey provided the voice for Chuckles the clown in Toy Story 3. In 2003, Luckey voiced NSA (National Supers Agency) agent Rick Dickert in Pixar’s The Incredibles.
Bud Luckey gained worldwide attention with the release of Boundin’ which was the animated short featured before the theatrical run of The Incredibles. Luckey wrote the story, animated, sang, provided the voice, and played the banjo on Boundin’ which was nominated for an academy award in 2003. Bud Luckey retired from animation in 2008 but continued to do sporadic voice work until 2014.
Bud Luckey was 83 years old.