Jim Smith, the renowned animator and musician known for co-creating Nickelodeon’s “The Ren & Stimpy Show,” passed away on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the age of 70. According to reports from Animation Magazine, Smith suffered a heart attack.
Born James Carl Jobb on October 8, 1954, in Lubbock, Texas, Smith became a pivotal figure in animation over a career spanning more than 40 years. He co-founded the independent animation studio Spümcø in 1989 with John Kricfalusi, Bob Camp, and Lynne Naylor, where they developed their most notable creation.
Smith’s career began in the early 1980s as a layout and storyboard artist on various animated series, such as “The Real Ghostbusters,” “The Get-Along Gang,” and “Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures.” His distinct art style quickly earned him recognition within the animation community.
In 1991, Smith and his colleagues at Spümcø launched “The Ren & Stimpy Show” on Nickelodeon, a series known for its unique visual style and complex humor. Smith contributed as a character designer, layout artist, and storyboard artist, helping to define the show’s distinctive appearance.
Apart from his visual work, Smith was also a skilled musician. He played guitar on the “Ren & Stimpy” theme song with Scott Huml and Chris Reccardi. The instrumental track, titled “Dog Pound Hop,” became a notable piece of 1990s pop culture.
Smith’s contributions extended beyond “Ren & Stimpy.” He worked as a storyboard artist on Ralph Bakshi’s “Cool World” (1990), Warner Bros.’ “Tiny Toon Adventures” (1991), and “Batman: The Animated Series” (1992). In the mid-1990s, he served as a layout artist for Björk’s music video “I Miss You,” directed by Kricfalusi.
After leaving “The Ren & Stimpy Show” in 1992 with Kricfalusi, Smith continued to work with Spümcø on various projects. In 2001, they co-created “The Ripping Friends,” which also reflected their unique animation style.
Throughout the 2000s, Smith worked on numerous animated projects, including “Samurai Jack,” “Ice Age,” “The X’s,” “Tom and Jerry Tales,” and “The Mighty B!” His storyboard contributions included “Scooby-Doo: Legend of the Phantasaur” and Warner Bros. Animation’s “The Looney Tunes Show.” Later, he served as a background artist on Cartoon Network’s “Over the Garden Wall” miniseries.
Smith’s work also reached beyond television. In 2005, Asylum Press published two sketchbooks of his work, “Deadly Are The Naked” and “Naked and the Dead.” In 2007, he released “The Chestaclese Sketchbook,” featuring concept art for an unfinished project. In 2011, he taught cartooning at the Viborg College of Animation in Denmark.
Following his death, colleagues and friends honored Smith on social media.
Writer Richard Pursel, who collaborated with Smith on several projects, expressed his sorrow over the loss. He remembered Smith’s reputation as one of the industry’s best during their work on “Tiny Toon Adventures.” Pursel described him as a mentor who studied classic film composition and taught life drawing, praising his patience and humility.
Smith’s contributions to animation history remain significant. His art style, known for its detailed drawings and traditional animation techniques, has influenced many animators. Shows like “The Ren & Stimpy Show” are considered groundbreaking and continue to be appreciated by fans and professionals in the industry.
Throughout his career, Smith remained committed to his craft, consistently pushing animation’s boundaries and mentoring emerging artists. His work with studios such as Nickelodeon, Warner Bros., Cartoon Network, and CBS has left a lasting impact.
