Mark Hall, co-founder of Cosgrove Hall films has died aged 74. Alongside his Producing Partner Brian Cosgrove he was responsible for creating some of the most endearing characters in UK and world animation in the past 40 Years. “Cosgrove Hall” was founded in 1969 as “Stop Frame Productions” and went on to produce TV classics such as “Chorlton and the Wheelies”, “Wind in the Willows”, “The B.F.G” “Dangermouse” and “Engie Benjy”. The studio closed down in 2009 but was recently re-opened under the name “Cosgrove Hall Fitzpatrick”.
Brian Cosgrove (left) and Mark Hall (right)
Mr Hall passed away from cancer late on Thursday the 17th of November surrounded by his family.
Barry Purves, Oscar nominated stop motion animator had this to say:
‘Like so many animators, I certainly would not have been here without Mark’s support and enthusiasm and encouragement. 34 years ago Mark kindly answered a rather over enthusiastic letter from me, and subsequently trusted me with an audition. And that started a continued friendship, that grew beyond the studio. And that was Mark. He was never a boss nor an employee, but a friend with a shared passion. His many achievements will be discussed elsewhere but I thank Mark for his great friendship (and for Mr Toad). Mark was a real gentleman, and my heart goes out to his family and to Brian. I am proud to have been part of the Cosgrove Hall family over so many years. We have all lost someone special.’
Chris Bowden, Producer at Cosgrove Hall and currently producer at MacKinnon and Saunders said:
“I was privileged to not only to have grown up watching Cosgrove Hall shows on the TV but I also got to see my dream come true by getting the chance to spend 13 very happy years working there between 1995 and 2008. Everyone knows that Mark Hall was a huge talent who alongside Brian Cosgrove had a hand in creating some of the most iconic animation on British television but I was lucky enough to get to know the man behind the success. Mark was thoroughly decent man, kind, generous, approachable, full of life and and always there with a hand on shoulder just when you needed it. He genuinely loved his studio and everyone who worked in it, whether you were an animator or cleaner, you were part of the team. He was an inspiration to me and a man I will greatly miss.”
Peter Saunders, Managing Director of Mackinnon and Saunders offered this tribute:
“It has been an enormous shock to hear that Mark Hall has passed away today.
Both Ian Mackinnon and myself had the good fortune to know Mark when we were employed at Cosgrove Hall in the puppet animation department. He was an exceptional person to work for; a great creative talent but also a very generous and considerate employer who treated his staff with respect and great affection. Mark and Brian built up a unique company that was a joy to work for and it is no surprise that it soon became such a hothouse of creativity with, in its time, such unparalleled success.
The demise of Cosgrove Hall’s parent company, Thames Television, in the early Nineties brought about a brief hiatus for the company and it was during this period that many ex employees, like ourselves, established companies of our own – so it is true to say that Mark and Brian were not only responsible for creating one of the most successful animation companies in the country, but also for establishing a whole animation industry here in the North West that continues to thrive today.
Mark’s friendship with Ian and myself endured over the years, and he was always unstinting with his support, enthusiasm and encouragement.
We will miss him tremendously and our thoughts go out to his lovely wife Margaret and their family.”
Francis Fitzpatrick, creator of “Jakers” and more recently co-founder of “Cosgrove Hall Fitzpatrick” commented:
“It is with great sadness that I heard of the passing of my business partner Mark Hall. He was iconic within the animation industry and it has been a real pleasure to work with such a kind, caring and generous person”.
Please leave any messages of thanks and memories that you have below …
