Michael John Roberts, animator behind BoJack Horseman's opening, dies at 48

Michael John Roberts, an animator, producer and director who worked on Netflix's BoJack Horseman, has died at 48. His family said he died on Wednesday, 11 November, in Los Angeles of glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Roberts directed the title sequence and two episodes of BoJack Horseman, the adult animated series that premiered in 2014 and ran for six seasons. He also directed 28 episodes of Comedy Central's TripTank. His other credits include F Is for Family, Final Space, Strange Planet and MrBeast Lab.

In 2018 his own series, Dallas & Robo, premiered on YouTube Red, with John Cena and Kat Dennings starring.

Roberts grew up in Toronto and graduated from Sheridan College in Canada. He started as a junior animator, then became a storyboard artist and director. He also made commercials and music videos.

His family's statement said: "A gifted artist with an extraordinary talent, he could find something worth exploring in what others might overlook."

He is survived by his wife, actress Bree Williamson, their son McGreggor, his parents and a sister.