‘Astro Boy’ anime producer Fred Ladd passes away at 94

Astro Boy. (Image: screengrab from YouTube/Tezuka Productions Official Channel)

“Astro Boy” producer and North American anime pioneer Fred Laderman, known as Fred Ladd, has passed away. He was 94 years old.

Ladd’s death was confirmed by his former colleague Shawne Kleckner through a statement to Anime News Network yesterday, Aug. 11.

“It was an honor to work with him to restore and release these classic works over the years, and I know that it brought him great happiness to see them continue to be enjoyed by new generations of fans,” Kleckner was quoted as saying.

He described Ladd as a “true pioneer,” recalling how the producer helped expand the audience for anime in North America.

“His early work with Dr. (Osamu) Tezuka brought anime to North America, as well as popularized a budding industry in Japan. I think you could safely say, without his efforts, we wouldn’t have anime as we do today,” Kleckner said.

The anime pioneer is said to have died on Aug. 3, as per a local obituary. Both Kleckner and the obituary did not state the cause of Ladd’s death.

Ladd re-edited and re-dubbed the anime “Tetsuwan Atom,” based on Japanese artist Osamu Tezuka’s manga, to create what is known today as the animated series “Astro Boy.”

He also produced “Gigantor” in the 1960s, and served as a creative consultant for the original English dub of “Sailor Moon.” Dana Cruz /ra

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