Todd Brian, TV Writer And Wildbrain Animation Executive, Dies At 59

Todd Brian, director of development for animation at Wildbrain, died on December 28, 2022. He was 59. According to his family, Brian died in Toronto after a brief battle with ALS.

During his career, Brian worked in various senior creative positions on both animation and live-action productions. Before joining Wildbrain, he filled roles at Corus Entertainment as a production executive for Corus Kids, Marblemedia as a development executive for its kids and family division, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a senior writer, and EOne TV as a story editor and writer.

Brian oversaw production for several kids’ shows, including Emmy-nominated HBO Max animated series Esme & Roy, Nickelodeon’s Star Falls and Ride, and two films based on the novel Anne of Green Gables. In 2010, he also wrote three episodes for the popular kids’ show Caillou.

Stephanie Betts, chief content officer at Wildbrain, said of Brian: “Todd was not just my colleague but one of my dearest friends; we shared so much through our 17-year friendship. He made everyone he met feel appreciated and seen. I’ll miss seeing his bright smile and hearing his playful laugh every day.”

Brian went to Vincent Massey Secondary School in Windsor and is described by those close to him as having a “lifelong desire for knowledge.” He later studied at the Canadian Film Centre, Centennial College, and was a graduate of Ryerson University’s film studies program. As a teenager, he was accepted as a parliamentary page for Queen’s Park while visiting Toronto, an experience that made a lifelong impression on him.

His family put out a statement saying: “Todd was a very charismatic soul who would light up a room with his energy and humor. 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 traveler, visiting both coasts of Canada, Vancouver and Halifax, Greece, Spain, France, and Australia among many other locations, having friends in every place he visited.”

A celebration of life will honor Brian on Saturday, March 4, at Willistead Manor in Windsor, Ontario.

Brian 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). He is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Mary Waley, and many cousins, aunts, and uncles, as well as a “second family” of close friends in Toronto, Ontario.