Kelly Asbury
{{Short description|American film director (1960–2020)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kelly Asbury
| image = Kelly Asbury Photo Select (cropped).jpg
| caption = Asbury in 2016
| birth_name = Kelly Adam Asbury
| birth_date = {{birth date|1960|1|15}}
| birth_place = Beaumont, Texas, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2020|6|26|1960|1|15}}
| death_place = Encino, California, U.S.
| resting_place = Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills
| alma_mater = Lamar University
California Institute of the Arts
| occupation = {{hlist|Film director|writer|voice actor|illustrator}}
| years_active = 1982–2019
| employer = Walt Disney Animation Studios (1983–1995, 2009–2013)
DreamWorks Animation (1995–2009)
| notable_works = Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
Shrek 2
Gnomeo & Juliet
Smurfs: The Lost Village
UglyDolls
| spouse = {{plainlist|
- {{marriage|Loretta Weeks|1990|2006|reason=divorced}}
- {{marriage|Jacquie Boggs|2011||}}
}}
}}
Kelly Adam Asbury (January 15, 1960 – June 26, 2020) was an American film director, writer, voice actor, and illustrator. He was best known for directing the animated films Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002), Shrek 2 (2004), Gnomeo & Juliet (2011), Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017), and UglyDolls (2019).
Early life
Asbury was born on January 15, 1960, in Beaumont, Texas, the son of Josephine Margaret (Lebeouf) and Donald Leslie Asbury. His father Donald died from cancer when Asbury was 12.{{Cite web|url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V6QT-271|title=FamilySearch.org|website=FamilySearch |accessdate=November 28, 2023}} He attended Lamar University for two years before transferring to the renowned California Institute of the Arts in 1980, where he studied animation and filmmaking.{{cite web|url= http://www.museumofthegulfcoast.org/personalities-notable-people-kelly-asbury.html|title= Kelly Asbury|publisher= Museum of the Gulf Coast|access-date= October 7, 2013|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131016053439/http://www.museumofthegulfcoast.org/personalities-notable-people-kelly-asbury.html|archive-date= October 16, 2013}}
Career
Asbury got his start at Walt Disney Feature Animation from 1983 to 1995, and contributed storyboards for several animated films including The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, as well as Pixar's first feature film, Toy Story.{{cite web|url=http://google.showtimes.com/celebrity/kelly-asbury-5796/biography/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201220054/http://google.showtimes.com/celebrity/kelly-asbury-5796/biography/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 1, 2014|title=Kelly Asbury Biography|publisher=Showtimes.com|access-date=October 7, 2013}} In 1993, he was the assistant art director on Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas.{{cite web|url= https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/119910/The-Nightmare-Before-Christmas/credits|archive-url= https://archive.today/20131008025412/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/119910/The-Nightmare-Before-Christmas/credits|url-status= dead|archive-date= October 8, 2013|department= Movies & TV Dept.|work= The New York Times|title= The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)|access-date= October 7, 2013}}
In 1995, he began working for DreamWorks Animation, and directed two Academy Award-nominated feature films, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) and Shrek 2 (2004). In addition to directing, he provided some of the extra voices in Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third.
He directed and co-wrote the animated film Gnomeo & Juliet (2011), for which he also provided the voices of the tiny Red Goon Gnomes. He was nominated for two Annie Awards for directing and co-writing that film.{{Cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/e1-strikes-uk-canada-deal-for-gnomeo-and-juliet/5016625.article|title=E1 strikes UK, Canada deal for Gnomeo And Juliet|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman2010-08-02T16:06:00+01:00|website=Screen|accessdate=November 28, 2023}}
In 2003, he wrote a non-fiction book, Dummy Days, a biography of five 20th-century ventriloquists. He wrote and illustrated twelve children's books,[http://www.ugo.com/channels/filmtv/features/kellyasbury/ Kelly Asbury Interview] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515220419/http://www.ugo.com/channels/filmtv/features/kellyasbury/ |date=May 15, 2011 }} UGO Entertainment including Rusty's Red Vacation, Bonnie's Blue House, and Yolanda's Yellow School.{{cite web|url=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rustys-red-vacation-kelly-asbury/1016589207?ean=9780805040210|title= Rusty's Red Vacation|publisher=Barnes and Noble|access-date= October 4, 2013}}
In mid-2011 to mid-2012, Asbury briefly returned to Disney to contribute storyboards to Wreck-It Ralph and Frozen. His final directing credits were Smurfs: The Lost Village for Sony Pictures Animation and UglyDolls for STX Entertainment.
= Unrealized projects =
- Shrek – In 1997, Asbury was tapped to make his directorial debut with a film adaptation of the children's book Shrek! alongside Andrew Adamson. He dropped out a year later in favor of Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron and was replaced by Vicky Jenson, but remained as a story artist and received special thanks on the finished film. He later co-directed its sequel, Shrek 2.
- The Thief of Always – In 2006, following the success of Shrek 2, Asbury was hired to write and direct a live-action film based on Clive Barker’s children's book The Thief of Always. The film would've been Asbury's first foray into live-action filmmaking, but the rights would revert to Barker.{{cite web|last1=Weinberg|first1=Scott|title="SHREK" HELMER CATCHES BARKER'S "THIEF"|url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/shrek-helmer-catches-barkers-thief/|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|date=February 7, 2006|access-date=December 2, 2023}}
- Pooch Café – In 2011, Asbury was brought in by Sony Pictures Animation to write a new draft for a film adaptation of the Pooch Café comic strip.{{cite news|last=Kit|first=Borys|title='Gnomeo and Juliet' Filmmaker Penning Pooch Cafe for Sony Pictures Animation|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/gnomeo-juliet-kelly-asbury-pooch-cafe-245189|access-date=July 4, 2020|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 7, 2011}}{{cite news|last=Gilligan |first=Paul |title=Pooch Cafe Movie News |url=http://poochcafe.com/?p=2132 |access-date=July 4, 2020 |newspaper=Pooch Cafe |date=October 9, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120151044/http://poochcafe.com/?p=2132 |archive-date=January 20, 2012 }}
- Will Gallows and the Snake-Bellied Troll – In 2011, following the success of Gnomeo and Juliet, Asbury was hired by Rocket Pictures to write and direct a live-action/animated film based on the children's book Will Gallows and the Snake-Bellied Troll. The film would've been Asbury's first foray into live-action filmmaking after his attempt at “The Thief of Always” failed.{{cite web|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr.|title=Elton John's Rocket Pictures And Kelly Asbury Follow 'Gnomeo' With 'Will Gallows And The Snake Bellied Troll'|url=https://deadline.com/2011/07/elton-johns-rocket-pictures-and-kelly-asbury-follow-gnomeo-with-will-gallows-and-the-snake-bellied-troll-150260/|publisher=Deadline|date=July 26, 2011|access-date=July 4, 2020}}
- Kazorn & The Unicorn – In 2012, Deadline reported that Asbury was in talks with Sony Pictures Animation to make an animated fantasy film titled Kazorn & The Unicorn. It would have followed the adventures of a young man and a unicorn as he seeks to locate a powerful weapon and prove his worth to his true love. Lloyd Taylor was writing the screenplay. Sam Raimi, Josh Donen, and Russell Hollander were producing the film.{{cite news|last=Patten|first=Dominic|title=Sony Animation In Talks With Kelly Asbury For 'Kazorn & The Unicorn'|url=https://www.deadline.com/2012/06/sony-animation-in-talks-with-kelly-asbury-for-kazom-the-unicorn/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623222801/http://www.deadline.com/2012/06/sony-animation-in-talks-with-kelly-asbury-for-kazom-the-unicorn/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 23, 2012|access-date=July 4, 2020|newspaper=Deadline|date=June 23, 2012}} Troy Quane (Spies in Disguise, Nimona) was later hired to co-direct the film with Asbury, but the film has since been put on hold.{{Cite web|url=https://nikolas-ilic.com/kazorn-and-the-unicorn|title = Nikolas Ilic - Kazorn and the Unicorn}}
- Horacio 3D – In 2013, Asbury was tapped to write a Brazilian animated film based on the Monica's Gang character Horacio, originally scheduled for a 2017 release. According to animator Fábio Mendes, Asbury was intended to direct the film.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/fabio_menDS/status/1276663258435522566|title=Fábio Mendes on Twitter|access-date=August 27, 2020}} But as of 2020, nothing has come from the project.{{cite web|title=Mauricio de Sousa predicts 3D animation about Horácio for 2017|url=https://www.nsctotal.com.br/noticias/mauricio-de-sousa-preve-animacao-em-3d-sobre-horacio-para-2017|date=June 18, 2013|access-date=August 27, 2020|publisher=NSC Total}}
Death
Asbury died of abdominal cancer on June 26, 2020, in his home, Encino, Los Angeles, at age 60. He was cremated, his ashes was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills.{{cite web|url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/rip/rip-kelly-asbury-director-of-shrek-2-and-spirit-stallion-of-the-cimarron-193729.html|title=RIP, Kelly Asbury, Director Of 'Shrek 2' and 'Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron'|first=Amid |author-link=Amid Amidi|last=Amidi|work=Cartoon Brew|date=June 26, 2020|access-date=June 26, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/obituaries-people-news/kelly-asbury-dead-dies-spirit-stallion-of-the-cimarron-shrek-2-1234692023/|title=Kelly Asbury, Director of 'Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron' and 'Shrek 2,' Dies at 60|work=Variety|date=June 26, 2020}} He was featured in the In Memoriam section of the 93rd Academy Awards, and Spirit Untamed was dedicated to his memory.
Filmography
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! Year ! Title ! Notes |
| 1984
| Storyboards (8 episodes) |
| 1985
| Inbetween artist |
| 1987
| Short |
| 1989
| Visual development artist |
| rowspan="2" | 1990
| Character designer, storyboard artist, visual development |
| Roller Coaster Rabbit
| Short |
| 1991
| Story, visual development artist |
| 1993
| The Nightmare Before Christmas | Assistant art director |
| 1995
| Story artist |
| rowspan="3" | 1996
| Storyboard: Ducky Dearest |
| James and the Giant Peach
| Storyboard supervisor with Joe Ranft |
| Disney's Animated Storybook: Toy Story
| Video game |
| rowspan="2" | 1998
| Storyboard artist: The American Revolution |
| The Prince of Egypt
| Artistic Supervisor: story with Lorna Cook and Ronnie del Carmen |
| 2000
| Additional story artist |
| 2001
| Shrek | Story artist, special thanks |
| 2002
| Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron | Director with Lorna Cook [directorial debut] |
| 2004
| Shrek 2 | Director with Andrew Adamson and Conrad Vernon, voices: Page, Elf, and Nobleman, ADR group |
| 2005
| 100 Greatest Cartoons | Documentary |
| 2007
| Voices: Master of Ceremonies and Fiddlesworth, special thanks |
| rowspan="2" | 2008
| rowspan="2" | Additional story artist |
| Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa |
| rowspan="2" | 2009
| Documentary |
| The BackStage Pass
| TV special |
| rowspan="3" | 2011
| Director, screenwriter, story, voices: Red Goon Gnomes |
| Made in Hollywood
| Himself (1 episode) |
| Jeff Dunham: Birth of a Dummy
| TV special |
| rowspan="2" | 2012
| Made in Hollywood: Teen Edition | Himself (1 episode) |
| ((mlg the movie)) rowspan 2 / Director
| rowspan="2" | Story artist |
| 2013
| Frozen |
| rowspan="2" | 2014
| Documentary short |
| Achmed Saves America
| Original character designer |
| rowspan="2" | 2017
| Director, voice: Nosey Smurf |
| Cake Wars
| Himself: guest judge |
| 2018
| Based on characters, creative consultant, storyboard artist, voices: Goons |
| rowspan="2" | 2019
| Director, voices: Gibberish Cat, Oliver, and Chef |
| The Addams Family
| Story consultant, special thanks |
| 2021
| Dedicated |
Bibliography
{{div col|colwidth=22em|content=
- Rusty's Red Vacation (1997)
- Bonnie's Blue House (1997)
- Yolanda's Yellow School (1997)
- Thanksgiving Parade (2000; illustrations only)
- Turkey Time (2000; illustrations only)
- Where is Snowy's Nose (2000)
- Frankensquare (2001)
- Witch Dot (2001)
- Candy Corn (2001)
- Autumn Walk (2003; illustrations only)
- Winter Walk (2003; illustrations only)
- Dummy Days: America's Favorite Ventriloquists from Radio and Early TV (2003)
- Wild Witches' Ball (2004; illustration only)
}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://animatedviews.com/2011/gnomeo-and-juliet-director-kelly-asbury-opens-his-secret-garden/ Animated Views: Gnomeo & Juliet’s director Kelly Asbury Opens His Secret Garden!]
- {{IMDb name|38432}}
{{Kelly Asbury}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Asbury, Kelly}}
Category:American animated film directors
Category:American art directors
Category:American male screenwriters
Category:American male voice actors
Category:American storyboard artists
Category:Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)
Category:California Institute of the Arts alumni
Category:Deaths from stomach cancer in California
Category:DreamWorks Animation people
Category:Film directors from Texas
Category:Lamar University alumni
Category:People from Beaumont, Texas
Category:Screenwriters from Texas
Category:Sony Pictures Entertainment people