Max Fleischer had just died. The 89-year-old animator had left an indelible mark on the film and cartoon industries. He had co-founded Fleischer Brothers cartoon studio, which created Koko the Clown, Betty Boop, and had put Popeye the Sailor Man on television. The loss of such an industry giant was immense, and for one fellow animation giant, it was only appropriate to honor Fleischer’s legacy in some official capacity.
By 1972, the year of Fleischer’s death, June Foray (1917–2017) had enjoyed a very successful career in radio and animation voice acting. Animation had become a burgeoning industry, and Foray believed now was the time to start some type of awards program.
