RIP: Dave Creek, Lead Character Designer Of ‘Bob’s Burgers,’ Dies After Skydiving Accident
Industry artist Dave Creek, 42, passed away this morning from injuries suffered in a skydiving accident last weekend.
Creek was a lead character designer on Bob’s Burgers. He had worked on the series from the beginning of its run. At the time that he received an invite from a producer to work on the series, he had been floating around as a freelance animation artist. “I just lucked out [on] timing and knew the right people,” Creek told Keyframe magazine in 2019 about how he got the job.
“If you love Bob’s Burgers, you loved Dave Creek,” series writer Wendy Molyneux wrote on Twitter yesterday evening. “He was an adventurous funny outgoing amazing artist and one of the most incredible, interesting people I ever met.” Series director Simon Chong posted a tribute on social media, calling Creek, “a wonderfully brilliant and talented man who I can guarantee designed your favourite character on Bob’s at some point.”
Fox Corporation’s Bento Box Entertainment, the animation studio which produces Bob’s Burgers, along with 20th Television and Fox Entertainment, issued the following statement on Creek’s passing today:
We are heartbroken at the tragic passing of Dave Creek, an extraordinary artist who had been with Bob’s Burgers from day one. He was not just an incredible talent but a beautiful person as well, and our hearts go out to his family, friends and all his colleagues at the show who loved him and are grieving today.
Bob’s Burgers creator Loren Bouchard also posted a tribute to Creek on Friday afternoon, writing:
He was so young.
— loren bouchard (@lorenbouchard) January 8, 2021
Creek’s other animation credits included Central Park, Brickleberry, and Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown.
Creek, a graduate of Calarts (class of 2005), had taught a film workshop in the school’s character animation department since 2015.
His creative passion outside of animation was building intricate miniature treehouses around bonsai plants. Each treehouse took thousands of hours to build, and he spent over a decade building the first one. He documented the process of creating the treehouses on his Instagram.
Creek is survived by his mother Melanie Creek Sardo, father David Creek, and siblings Robert Creek, Stephanie Creek, and Aleasha Ramsay.
Tributes to Creek are starting to appear online. We are sharing some of the ones posted publicly and and will update with others as they become available:
If you love Bob’s Burgers, you loved Dave Creek. He was an adventurous funny outgoing amazing artist and one of the most incredible, interesting people I ever met. I often thought that Dave really knew how to live, and I wish he got to live some more. Rest In Peace, buddy. 💔 https://t.co/PMf1jKT0Zc
— Wendy Molyneux (@WendyMolyneux) January 8, 2021
RIP Dave Creek.
Many know his Bob's Burgers work, but I know him as my crazy, Pogues-loving, Himalayan throat-singing college roommate. Here's Dave's Freshman CalArts film, animated entirely in charcoal. I challenge any animation student to do better. https://t.co/27AgX0qIqm
— ⚡️ Austin Madison⚡️ (@munchanka) January 8, 2021
He was a good friend of my moms, just out of CalArts. I think I was about 12 when I met him. Its rare as a kid to have an adult believe in you as an artist, I will never forget that. He gave me legit art advice, he didn't look down on me, he told me real ways to improve my art./2
— 🔮Krystal Ball🔮 (@Kballpinata) January 8, 2021
We lost a great artist and a great friend at Bobs today – our lead character designer Dave Creek. Here’s one of his many designs, Lady Tinsel, and one of his incredible tree houses. pic.twitter.com/5yX4fZ8ZiQ
— Bernard Derriman (@derriman) January 8, 2021
Today we tragically lost our Lead Character designer and friend, Dave Creek. A wonderfully brilliant and talented man who I can guarantee designed your favourite character on Bob’s at some point. I’ll miss you, buddy x https://t.co/NOxEq1VOGw
— Simon Chong (@chongster62) January 8, 2021
He was my real life version of the Fonz when he walked into the office and introduced himself, when I was front desk pa. He felt larger than life. He was the Bob's character designer from day one. Its been a really rough day. Love you Dave. Rest in peace, my friend. https://t.co/Lpudhca5X2
— Harri (@TheTrueHman) January 8, 2021
RIP to Dave Creek. Dave was the lead character designer @bobsburgers while I was there (season 1-8) and beyond. This was us in 2017 at City Year drawing attendees in the Bob’s style. He will be missed! pic.twitter.com/L3rgl6voGF
— R E E (@SneadsbyRee) January 8, 2021