Butch Hartman

Hartman was born in Highland Park, Michigan.{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Alana |title=Animation Domination |url=https://www.hourdetroit.com/community/animation-domination/ |website=Hour Detroit Magazine |publisher=Hour Media |access-date=May 3, 2020 |date=May 16, 2013 |archive-date=May 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503160218/https://www.hourdetroit.com/community/animation-domination/ |url-status=live }} He received the nickname Butch as a young boy and continued to use it as an adult. Hartman spent his childhood in Roseville, Michigan, and his teenage years in New Baltimore, Michigan.{{cite news|last=Larese|first=Katelyn|title=With Video: Cartoon creator Butch Hartman leaves his mark|url=http://www.voicenews.com/life/with-video-cartoon-creator-butch-hartman-leaves-his-mark/article_f6d285a4-54fa-5f46-8b0e-092da146c824.html|date=July 10, 2014|newspaper=The Voice|access-date=December 25, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818145615/http://www.voicenews.com/life/with-video-cartoon-creator-butch-hartman-leaves-his-mark/article_f6d285a4-54fa-5f46-8b0e-092da146c824.html|url-status=live}} He graduated from Anchor Bay High School in New Baltimore in 1983, and subsequently attended the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California.{{cite news|title='Fairly OddParents' is not just for kids|url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2004/02/12/tel_404389.shtml|access-date=November 11, 2012|newspaper=The Augusta Chronicle|date=February 12, 2004|archive-date=September 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927114511/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2004/02/12/tel_404389.shtml|url-status=live}} He graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.{{cite web | url=https://scvnews.com/calarts-alums-fairly-oddparents-nominated-for-daytime-emmy/ | title=CalArts Alum's 'Fairly OddParents' Nominated for Daytime Emmy | date=May 19, 2014 | access-date=November 23, 2022 | archive-date=November 23, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123055621/https://scvnews.com/calarts-alums-fairly-oddparents-nominated-for-daytime-emmy/ | url-status=live }} As a young student, he appeared on The Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour; he won close to $3,000.{{cite episode |series=Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour |network=NBC |date=January 3, 1984}}

While still attending CalArts, Hartman interned as an in-between animator on the Don Bluth film An American Tail. Before graduating, he was a contestant on the Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour for three episodes and shortly after graduating, he was hired as a character designer and storyboard artist for an unidentified My Little Pony animated series. As he had no previous experience with storyboards, he was soon fired.{{cite news|last=Fletcher|first=Alex|title=TUFF Puppy' Butch Hartman interview: 'I want Charlie Sheen character|url=http://www.digitalspy.ca/ustv/interviews/a342596/tuff-puppy-butch-hartman-interview-i-want-charlie-sheen-character.html|access-date=November 11, 2012|newspaper=Digital Spy|date=September 7, 2012|archive-date=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201221334/http://www.digitalspy.ca/ustv/interviews/a342596/tuff-puppy-butch-hartman-interview-i-want-charlie-sheen-character.html|url-status=live}} Afterwards, he found work with Ruby-Spears, where he worked on It's Punky Brewster and Dink, the Little Dinosaur. He was also a member of the video reference crew for the Disney film Pocahontas.

In the early 1990s, he was hired as an artist in the model department at Hanna-Barbera, and was eventually contacted by studio president Fred Seibert to create the shorts Pfish and Chip and Gramps for his animated incubator series What a Cartoon!. Eventually, he became a writer, director and storyboard artist for several of the early Cartoon Network shows, including Dexter's Laboratory, Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, and I Am Weasel. After his contract with Hanna-Barbera expired, he went to work with Seibert at his newfound Frederator studio, on his successor incubator series, Oh Yeah! Cartoons for Nickelodeon.{{cite web |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/top-stories/nick-short-the-fairly-odd-phantom-is-a-butch-hartman-reunion/ |title=Nick Short 'The Fairly Odd Phantom' Is a Butch Hartman Reunion |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=February 21, 2017 |website=Animation Magazine |access-date=February 21, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226095939/https://www.animationmagazine.net/top-stories/nick-short-the-fairly-odd-phantom-is-a-butch-hartman-reunion/ |archive-date=February 26, 2017}}

During his time working at Hanna-Barbera, he became acquainted with future Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane. The two would later go on to make the short Zoomates together for Oh Yeah! Cartoons. The character Dr. Elmer Hartman in Family Guy was named after Hartman. He also voiced various characters in the show's first seasons.{{cite book |last=Perlmutter |first=David |date=2018 |title=The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FMFTDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA190 |location=Lanham, Maryland |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |page=190 |isbn=978-1538103739 |access-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718220053/https://books.google.com/books?id=FMFTDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA190 |url-status=live }}

File:Butch Hartman (3756233025).jpg 2009]]

His biggest success came in December 1997, when he created The Fairly OddParents. The series originally started out as a series of shorts on the anthology show Oh Yeah! Cartoons. Eventually, Nickelodeon decided to pick the shorts up as a full series. Premiering in 2001, the adapted series ended up becoming a huge hit, second only in the ratings to SpongeBob SquarePants (and it briefly even passed SpongeBob{{'}}s ratings).{{cite news |last=Ryan |first=Suzanne C. |date=August 19, 2003 |title='OddParents' soaks up 'SpongeBob' spot |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2003-08-19-0308190258-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=November 11, 2012 |archive-date=June 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610145853/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2003-08-19-0308190258-story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title='Fairly OddParents' is not just for kids |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/fairly-oddparents-not-just-kids-wbna4233929 |work=Today |date=August 5, 2010 |access-date=November 11, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712154425/https://www.today.com/popculture/fairly-oddparents-not-just-kids-wbna4233929 |archive-date=July 12, 2018}} Following the third The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius crossover The Jimmy-Timmy Power Hour 3: The Jerkinators, the series ceased production in 2006, but it was announced on Hartman's forum on February 2, 2007, that 20 more episodes would be produced; the 6th season of Fairly OddParents aired on February 18, 2008, starting with the one-hour special Fairly OddBaby. From May 1, 2009, to May 3, 2009, the three-part special Wishology aired;{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/kiss-get-animated-in-fairly-oddparents-movie-wishology-100773/ |title=Kiss Get Animated in "Fairly Oddparents" Movie "Wishology" |date=May 1, 2009 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=November 11, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831175036/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/kiss-get-animated-in-fairly-oddparents-movie-wishology-100773/ |archive-date=August 31, 2018}} although that too was originally intended as a series finale{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}, the series was renewed for another season. A tenth season was eventually ordered in 2015.{{cite web |last=Grant |first=Stacey |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2243487/fairly-oddparents-new-character/ |title='The Fairly OddParents' Is Getting A New Character -- And A Tenth Season [Exclusive] |website=MTV News |date=August 18, 2015 |access-date=November 8, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025033931/http://www.mtv.com/news/2243487/fairly-oddparents-new-character/ |archive-date=October 25, 2017}} The Fairly OddParents is Nickelodeon's second longest-running animated show behind SpongeBob.{{cite web |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/1540169/the-hilarious-number-of-times-the-fairly-oddparents-has-been-cancelled |title=The Hilarious Number Of Times The Fairly OddParents Has Been Cancelled |last=Venable |first=Nick |date=July 29, 2016 |website=CinemaBlend |access-date=July 29, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801004533/https://www.cinemablend.com/television/1540169/the-hilarious-number-of-times-the-fairly-oddparents-has-been-cancelled |archive-date=August 1, 2016}}

Due to the success of The Fairly OddParents, Hartman was asked to create another show for Nickelodeon; Hartman says the President of Nickelodeon asked him if he had an idea, and before he could say the title he was given the greenlight. The show would later become Danny Phantom.{{cite news|last=Ball|first=Ryan|title=Butch Hartman Talks Danny Phantom|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/butch-hartman-talks-danny-phantom/?replytocom=1267|access-date=November 11, 2012|newspaper=Animation Magazine|date=April 8, 2004|archive-date=March 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301015833/http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/butch-hartman-talks-danny-phantom/?replytocom=1267|url-status=live}} To produce the show, Hartman founded his own production company Billionfold Inc. in 2003, which he also used to produce his other projects. Danny Phantom received his furthest critical acclaim throughout his career, with Hartman himself acknowledging it as perhaps the best of his programs while acknowledging its cult following. Danny Phantom ended production in early 2007.{{sfn|Perlmutter|2018|p=144}}

Around 2008–2009, Hartman began production his third show for Nickelodeon, T.U.F.F. Puppy, which premiered in 2010 alongside the Jimmy Neutron spin-off Planet Sheen.{{cite news|last=Lloyd|first=Robert|title=Television reviews: 'T.U.F.F. Puppy' and 'Planet Sheen'|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-oct-02-la-et-tuff-puppy-20101002-story.html|access-date=November 11, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=October 2, 2010|archive-date=November 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111121113/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/oct/02/entertainment/la-et-tuff-puppy-20101002|url-status=live}} The series received mixed to positive reviews and ran for three seasons before being cancelled.

His final show, Bunsen Is a Beast, aired on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons from January 16, 2017, to February 10, 2018. On February 8, 2018, Hartman announced on his Twitter and YouTube accounts that he had left Nickelodeon as of February 2 after a 20-year run.

In 2015, Hartman launched a "kid-safe [online] network of live shows and cartoons" called The Noog Network.{{Cite web|url=http://www.strangekidsclub.com/2015/08/11/animator-butch-hartman-launches-the-noog-network/|title=Animator Butch Hartman Launches the Noog Network {{!}} Strange Kids Club|access-date=March 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413091250/http://www.strangekidsclub.com/2015/08/11/animator-butch-hartman-launches-the-noog-network/|archive-date=April 13, 2016|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/top-stories/butch-hartman-launches-noog-app/|title=Butch Hartman Launches Noog App|website=Animation Magazine|date=July 23, 2015|language=en-US|access-date=March 30, 2016|archive-date=February 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220124953/http://www.animationmagazine.net/top-stories/butch-hartman-launches-noog-app/|url-status=live}}

In October 2017, Hartman launched the podcast Speech Bubble, on which he talks about pop culture. Several voice actors have appeared on the podcast, including Rob Paulsen, Tara Strong, Jerry Trainor, Grey Griffin, and Vic Mignogna. After initially posting excerpts on his primary YouTube channel, the podcast videos were later moved to its own dedicated YouTube channel, now including full episodes.{{Cite web|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speech-bubble/id1292425421|title=Speech Bubble by Butch Hartman on Apple Podcasts|website=Apple Podcasts|language=en|access-date=April 30, 2018|archive-date=May 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501094347/https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/speech-bubble/id1292425421?mt=2|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/|title=YouTube|language=en|access-date=April 30, 2018|archive-date=December 14, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214123929/http://www.youtube.com/|url-status=live}}

In June 2018, Hartman started a Kickstarter campaign for OAXIS Entertainment, a "family-friendly" streaming service. After the fundraising goal had been reached, it was revealed that OAXIS was planned to be a Christian-themed network, which was not disclosed during the fundraiser.{{cite web |last1=Asarch |first1=Steven |date=February 22, 2021 |title='Fairly Odd Parents' creator accused of plagiarizing from Japanese Twitter artist for commissions |url=https://www.insider.com/butch-hartman-accused-plagiarizing-commission-art-mikasa-drawing-trace-ackerman-2021-2 |access-date=February 23, 2021 |website=Insider |publisher=Insider Inc. |archive-date=May 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503160252/https://www.insider.com/butch-hartman-accused-plagiarizing-commission-art-mikasa-drawing-trace-ackerman-2021-2 |url-status=live }} However, Hartman later claimed that, while faith would continue to be a part of his personal life, OAXIS would not be a faith-based service.{{Cite tweet|number=1022212126796988416|user=realhartman|title=(no text)|date=July 25, 2018|access-date=5 November 2020||last=Hartman|first=Butch}} As of 2025, Hartman has yet to give any updates on OAXIS.

On June 22, 2019, Hartman released the animated web series HobbyKids Adventures. This series, produced by PocketWatch Inc., was created for YouTube channel HobbyKidsTV.{{Cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/pocket-watch-marmar-onyx-family-youtube-1203211967/|title=Pocket.watch Sets Projects With MarMar, The Onyx Family and Other YouTube Creators|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=May 13, 2019|magazine=Variety|language=en|access-date=June 24, 2019|archive-date=May 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513145926/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/pocket-watch-marmar-onyx-family-youtube-1203211967/|url-status=live}} On 13 July, Hartman released a book, Mad Hustle, which details the ins and outs of pitching and selling a show in Hollywood.{{Cite web|title=MAD HUSTLE {{!}} Butch Hartman|url=https://www.madhustlebook.com/|access-date=July 16, 2020|website=Madhustle|language=en|archive-date=May 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503160308/https://www.madhustlebook.com/|url-status=live}}

In 2019, Hartman created the Christian animated web series The Garden, which he co-produced with his wife Julieann. Hartman has planned at least two seasons of the series and plan to launch a subscription-based app for The Garden in late 2022. Hartman's further plans for the property include creating a VBS curriculum for churches and illustrating a children's Bible published by Thomas Nelson, titled The Garden Children's Bible, which stars the characters from The Garden and was scheduled to release in 2023.{{cite web | url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/05/butch-hartman-launching-pre-k-bible-toon-the-garden/ | title=Butch Hartman Launching Pre-K Bible Toon 'The Garden' | website=Animation Magazine | first=Mercedes | last=Milligan | date=May 25, 2022 | access-date=November 24, 2022 | archive-date=November 24, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124143452/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/05/butch-hartman-launching-pre-k-bible-toon-the-garden/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gardencartoon.com/ |title=The Garden website |access-date=November 24, 2022 |archive-date=November 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124140450/https://www.gardencartoon.com/ |url-status=live }} The series premiered on Pure Flix on January 1, 2023.{{Cite instagram |author= Butch Hartman |user= butchhartman |postid= Cm46mywyxnq |date= January 1, 2023 |title= My new Christian cartoon "THE GARDEN" just dropped on @pureflix TODAY! | language= En |access-date= January 2, 2023 |link= https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm46mywyxnq/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY= }}

In February 2021, Hartman was accused of plagiarism when he published his commissioned artwork of Attack on Titan character Mikasa Ackerman, in which similarities were noted to a 2018 artwork of a Japanese artist. The artist confirmed Hartman did not receive permission.

Hartman was credited as an executive producer on The Fairly OddParents revival series The Fairly OddParents: Fairly Odder{{cite web |first=Peter |last=White |date=February 24, 2021 |title=Nickelodeon's Dora The Explorer & The Fairly OddParents Get Live-Action Series Remakes On Paramount+ |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/nickelodeons-dora-the-explorer-the-fairly-odd-parents-get-live-action-series-remakes-on-paramount-1234700539/ |access-date=September 23, 2021 |work=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304171838/https://deadline.com/2021/02/nickelodeons-dora-the-explorer-the-fairly-odd-parents-get-live-action-series-remakes-on-paramount-1234700539/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Samuel |last=Gelman |date=April 20, 2021 |title=Fairly OddParents Live-Action Reboot Gets Summer Filming Date |url=https://www.cbr.com/fairly-oddparents-live-action-filming-date/ |access-date=September 23, 2021 |work=CBR |archive-date=November 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121214334/https://www.cbr.com/fairly-oddparents-live-action-filming-date/ |url-status=live }} and The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish.

As of 2024, Hartman lives in Bell Canyon, California, with his wife, Julieann, and daughters, Carly and Sophia Hartman.{{Cite web |url=https://www.visionpossibleconference.com/about |title=About | Vision Possible |access-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024092845/https://www.visionpossibleconference.com/about |url-status=live }} He also has three younger brothers.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzr3A7Sz474|title=Fun Facts About My Shows: Fairly Odd Parents, Danny Phantom, & TUFF Puppy!|first=Butch|last=Hartman|date=September 1, 2015|access-date=November 8, 2017|via=YouTube|archive-date=September 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150902065555/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzr3A7Sz474&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}} Hartman is an openly devout born-again Christian{{cite news|last1=Frost|first1=AJ|title=Noog Network creates safe online place for kids|url=http://www.jewishaz.com/arts_features/noog-network-creates-safe-online-place-for-kids/article_9b98876a-66d7-11e5-a980-9765d8d8530e.html|access-date=February 9, 2018|work=Jewish News of Greater Phoenix|date=September 29, 2015|archive-date=February 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209063603/http://www.jewishaz.com/arts_features/noog-network-creates-safe-online-place-for-kids/article_9b98876a-66d7-11e5-a980-9765d8d8530e.html|url-status=live}} and young-Earth creationist,{{Cite web|last1=Hartman|first1=Julieann|last2=Hartman|first2=Butch|date=March 28, 2011|title=Where is God|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNTy0ZRPQ_c|access-date=July 24, 2020|website=YouTube|series=thehart2heart|archive-date=May 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503160659/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNTy0ZRPQ_c|url-status=live}} converting in 2000 after hearing a sermon by Frederick K. C. Price.{{Cite web |url=https://youtube.ca/watch?v=%2FvGgcq2pjnNU |title=- YouTube |access-date=May 3, 2021 |archive-date=May 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503160826/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=%2FvGgcq2pjnNU&gl=CA |url-status=live }}

In 2005, Hartman, along with his wife, co-founded Hartman House, a non-profit organization which supports those in developing nations, as well as poverty stricken areas in the United States.{{cite news|last=White|first=Stefanie|title=Nickelodeon cartoon creator Butch Hartman visits McKinney|url=http://www.scntx.com/articles/2006/11/24/mckinney_courier-gazette/news/tnews4.txt|access-date=November 11, 2012|newspaper=McKinney Courier-Gazette Star|date=November 24, 2006|archive-date=February 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219081853/https://starlocalmedia.com/mckinneycouriergazette/news/nickelodeon-cartoon-creator-butch-hartman-visits-mckinney/article_824d32d2-aa23-5338-9870-6cc4c6e4f0e0.html|url-status=live}} By 2017, Hartman House has built two homes for families in Guatemala, fed nearly 7,200 families with Thanksgiving meals in the U.S., and funded aid projects for orphanages in Uganda and Haiti.{{cite web | title=Butch Hartman Talks About His New Nickelodeon Show "Bunsen Is A Beast" | website=NickALive! | date=2017-04-15 | url=https://www.nickalive.net/2017/04/butch-hartman-talks-about-his-new.html?m=1 | access-date=2025-05-22}}{{cite news |last=Pompa |first=Amber |date=July 28, 2009 |title=Singing & sweeping |url=https://www.heraldbanner.com/archives/singing-sweeping/article_4027c60a-ee8c-50d1-813a-2cfc1a9709b0.html |work=Herald-Banner |access-date=November 11, 2012 |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072118/https://www.heraldbanner.com/archives/singing-sweeping/article_4027c60a-ee8c-50d1-813a-2cfc1a9709b0.html |url-status=live }} At Hartman House events, Hartman usually draws and autographs items related to his work for children.{{cite web |url=https://www.hartmanhouse.org/about |title=About |website=Hartman House |access-date=November 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109090543/https://www.hartmanhouse.org/about |url-status=live }}

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