John Bush obit

John Bush, Emmy-Winning Producer on ‘The Simpsons,’ Dies at 69

His credits also included ‘Family Guy,’ ‘Brave Little Toaster,’ ‘King of the Hill’ and ‘Looney Tunes’ cartoons. 

He was not on the list.

John Bush, an Emmy-winning producer who worked on such animated shows as The Simpsons, Family Guy and X-Men: Evolution, has died. He was 69.

Bush died Nov. 23 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles of B-cell lymphoma of the brain stem, his friend Kevin Bannerman announced.

Bush’s credits also included King of the Hill, New Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost, Brave Little Toaster films, Oz-themed series, Clerks, Edgar & Ellen and the 2015 movie Open Season: Scared Silly.

Bush received his Emmy in 2001 for his work on The Simpsons, sharing the prize for outstanding animated program with the likes of James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean. He was nominated for another Emmy the next year and spent three seasons on the show (2000-02) as an animation executive producer.

John Michael Bush was born on July 6, 1954, in Albert Lea, Minnesota. He and his family moved to Tokyo when he was six, and he attended The American School in Japan and then Chofu High School. Back in the U.S., he went to San Francisco State College, where he majored in theater arts.

During and after college, Bush performed in shows and had a role in the musical revue Beach Blanket Babylon from 1981-83. He continued as an actor after moving to Los Angeles and won $20,000 on the game show Super Password.

While working at Vestron Productions, Bush got an opportunity to work in production.

Bush was active in the gay rights community in San Francisco and Los Angeles and loved movies of all kinds — but especially musicals, and especially those starring Barbra Streisand or Julie Andrews, Bannerman said.

Survivors include his sister, Mary, brother Rick and niece Taylyn. A memorial service is set for noon on Sunday in Los Angeles. Please contact dan@danshaner.com for more information.