HALIFAX – Media company WildBrain has announced that its director of development in animation Todd Brian passed away on December 28 at 59 after a short illness.
“Hugely respected with great affection by all who knew him, particularly for his love of life and laughter as well as his outstanding creative talent, he will be greatly missed by his WildBrain family and the entertainment community of which he was such an integral part,” a WildBrain statement said.
“As a development executive, Todd’s deep creative instincts, production experience and collaborative spirit saw him nurture a slate of standout WildBrain projects which serve to illustrate his career legacy,” the release added.
Before joining WildBrain, Brian was a production executive on Corus Kids, a development executive of kids and family content at marblemedia, senior writer at the CBC, and has multiple credits as a writer and story editor on programming ranging from preschool to tween/family.
Todd was a graduate of Ryerson University’s Film Studies program and the Canadian Film Centre. He worked in various senior creative position on the animation and live-action production sides of businesses, according to WildBrain.
“Todd was a very charismatic soul who would light up a room with his energy and humour,” his family said in a statement. “He was an avid runner, participating in many marathons as well as a passionate tennis player, belonging to a League in Toronto. He was a world traveller, visiting both coasts of Canada, Vancouver and Halifax, Greece, Spain, France, and Australia among many other locations, having friends in every place he visited.”
Todd is survived by his mother Judy Jacobs (and husband Peter), brother Troy Brian (and wife Susan, as well as their children Chelsea, Megan and Brock), and sister Tara Brian (and son Gavin), WildBrain said.
His obituary, tributes and celebration of life information can be found at here. Donations to the ALS Society of Canada are requested in lieu of flowers, according to the statement.
