Michael John Roberts, an animator, producer and director who was behind shows including"BoJack Horseman," has died. He was 48.
His family announced his Nov. 11 death in an obituary, calling him a "gifted artist with an extraordinary talent."
Roberts, who also co-created and directed Comedy Central's "TripTank," died in Los Angeles of glioblastoma, Variety reported.
Glioblastoma is the most common fats-growing cancerous brain tumor in adults, according to Mayo Clinic. It grows into surrounding brain tissue, making it difficult for surgeons to remove the entire tumor.
"Michael saw the world a little differently," his family wrote in a statement. "His creativity was not limited to what he put on paper; it shaped the way he thought, questioned, and
understood the world around him. He was drawn to things with character, substance, and a story beneath the surface."
His family remembered how Roberts would listen quietly to a conversation before slipping in a joke. "Sometimes the laughter came immediately. Sometimes it arrived a few moments later," they wrote. "One suspects he especially enjoyed the latter."
His wife, Bree Williamson, shared a brief statement on Instagram featuring a screenshot of the Hollywood Reporter article announcing her husbands death. "Thank you to everyone that has reached out," read her statement. "We are heartbroken and taking some time."
Roberts was the talent behind the opening title sequence of "BoJack Horseman," as well as two episodes of the popular Netflix series featuring Will Arnett, who voices BoJack.
On "TripTank," Comedy Central's anthology of animated sketches, he wrote and directed 28 episodes and co-produced 20, according to his list of credits. Roberts also served as creative producer and executive producer of Mattel's "Masters of the Universe: Tales from Eternia."
Roberts got his start as an animator and storyboard artist in Toronto. His wife encouraged him to take a year to make a film of his own, he told Final Draft. The result was "Rumbleseat," an animated short set to music by the Sadies. It won him a 2012 Juno Award for video of the year.
Williamson later inspired Dallas, the space trucker at the center of Roberts' comedy "Dallas & Robo." Kat Dennings voiced Dallas, and John Cena played her robot sidekick.
Roberts is survived by Williamson and their son, McGreggor, as well as his parents, Teddy and Wendy, and his sister, Jane. In place of flowers or donations, his family suggested saving up to "buy a cool car."
"That's what Michael would have wanted," they wrote.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michael John Roberts, 'BoJack Horseman' and 'TripTank' animator, dead at 48
