{
  "id": 19722168,
  "title": "Michael John Roberts, ‘BoJack Horseman’ and ‘F Is for Family’ Animator-Director, Dies at 48",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/michael-john-roberts-bojack-horseman-and-f-is-for-family-animator",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-12T22:50:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TheWrap",
    "slug": "thewrap",
    "url": "https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/tv/michael-john-roberts-dead-obit-bojack-horseman-animator/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Canadian animator and television producer Michael John Roberts passed away at the age of 48 after a brief struggle with glioblastoma. He was laid to rest in his Los Angeles residence. Roberts gained recognition for his work on animated adult comedies such as Comedy Central's \"TripTank\" and Netflix's \"BoJack Horseman.\" Additionally, he directed episodes of \"F Is for Family,\" starring Bill Burr, and served as supervising director for the first season of TBS's animated comedy-drama \"Final Space\" in 2018.\n\nDescribing Roberts' unique perspective, his obituary stated, \"Michael saw the world a little differently. A gifted artist with an extraordinary talent, he could find something worth exploring in what others might overlook. His creativity was not limited to what he put on paper; it shaped the way he thought, questioned, and understood the world around him.\" Though his illness arrived unexpectedly, leaving a short period of life, it was not meant to define Roberts. His legacy is preserved through his creations, the conversations he sparked, the friendships he cultivated, and the love he freely bestowed upon those closest to him.\n\nAccording to his family's request, loved ones should consider purchasing a desirable car instead of flowers or donations in his memory. Roberts began his career in children's animated television working on \"The Hoobs\" and \"Angela Anaconda\" as an animator. From 2014 to 2016, he worked as an animator, director, and co-producer of \"TripTank\" for Comedy Central. During that period, he also directed two episodes and the opening sequence of Season 2 of \"BoJack Horseman\" and four episodes of \"F Is for Family.\"\n\nHis most recent projects included executive producer of \"Hot Wheels Let's Race\" for Netflix and director on \"MrBeast Lab\" and \"Backyard Sports: The Animated Special.\" Survived by his wife actress Bree Williamson, son McGreggor, and sister Jane Roberts, Roberts leaves behind a rich legacy of animation and storytelling.",
  "summary": "The \"TripTank\" animator's death comes after a brief battle glioblastoma The post Michael John Roberts, ‘BoJack Horseman’ and ‘F Is for Family’ Animator-Director, Dies at 48 appeared first on TheWrap .",
  "key_points": [
    "Canadian animator Michael John Roberts dies at 48 after battling glioblastoma.",
    "Roberts animated BoJack Horseman and directed episodes of F Is for Family.",
    "Survived by wife, son, and sister, his legacy lives through his work."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hollywood Reporter",
        "title": "Michael John Roberts, Animator and ‘BoJack Horseman’ and ‘TripTank’ Director, Dies at 48",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/michael-john-roberts-animator-and-bojack-horseman-and-triptank",
        "published": "2026-11-12T21:08:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Deadline",
        "title": "Michael John Roberts Dies: ‘TripTank’, ‘BoJack Horseman’ Animator, Director & Producer Was 48",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/michael-john-roberts-dies-triptank-bojack-horseman-animator-director",
        "published": "2026-11-12T22:18:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}