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Remembering the late animated series producer
Four-time Emmy Award winner and animation producer J. Michael Mendel has died. He was 54.
Mendel is most known for his work on “The Simpsons” and “Rick and Morty.” His wife, Emmy-winning casting director Juel Bestrop (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Life in Pieces”), said her husband died of natural causes Sunday night at their home in Studio City.
The news came as a shock to many, and Justin Roiland, co-creator of “Rick and Morty,” wrote on Twitter: “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you by my side Mike. I’m destroyed.”
Born on Sept. 24, 1964, Mendel attended Monroe Woodbury High School in Woodbury, New York, and Syracuse University. Mendel was first working his gig as a postproduction supervisor on Fox’s “The Tracey Ullman Show” before moving to “The Simpsons” in 1989 when it became a standalone series. While working on the show, he served as a line producer, working between James L. Brooks’ Gracie Films and the network to make sure the show was finished on time and on budget.
His producer credits clock in at 207 episodes ranging from 1989 to 1999. He also won Emmys for his work in 1995, ’97 and ’98.
Mendel later went on to team up with Roiland, becoming the line producer on Adult Swim’s “Rick and Morty” from 2013 to 2017. Mendel also received another Emmy in 2018 for his work on the show.
Adult Swim released a statement in light of Mendel’s passing.
“All of us at Adult Swim are devastated by the untimely passing of Mike Mendel,” the network said. “Mike was the heart of the Rick and Morty production family; his fantastic talent and wit will be sorely missed.”
By: Maytinee Kramer
