“If I could have been created again, I would want to be a Chuck Jones creation,” reads Whoopi Goldberg’s words on the wall of the latest exhibit at Museum of Moving Image, emphasizing the lasting effect Jones had on the art of animation. The success of the Looney Tunes was in large part Jones’ doing due to his artistic philosophy and caring touch. He famously stated, “All worthwhile endeavors are ninety percent work and ten percent love and only the love should show.” And though most fondly remember the cartoon characters he developed as wild and wacky folks, the exhibit sheds much needed light on the background process and the high level of artistry, both in influence and conception, that allowed Jones to create timeless popular culture icons.
Chuck Jones trained as a fine artist at The California Institute of Arts (then the Chouinard Art Institute). By 1933, just a few short years after his graduation, he was an assistant animator at Warner Brothers. He began perfecting the characters of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Pèpe Le Pew, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, Marvin the Martian, and helped bring How the Grinch Stole Christmas to fruition.
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