Michael Cusack (animator)
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Michael Cusack | |
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&sq=Michael_Cusack_(animator)&lang=en&file=File:Michael_Cusack_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg) Cusack at the 2024 WonderCon | |
| Born | Michael R. Cusack 25 October 1990 Dapto, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Animator, writer, director, producer, photographer, voice actor |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Known for | YOLO Smiling Friends Koala Man |
Michael R. Cusack (born 25 October 1990) is an Australian animator, writer, director, producer, photographer, and voice actor. He is the co-creator and co-star, along with fellow animator Zach Hadel, of the Adult Swim animated series, Smiling Friends, and creator and star of YOLO and Koala Man.
Life and career
Cusack was born and raised in Dapto, a suburb of the Australian city of Wollongong, later moving to Melbourne where he now resides. He grew up watching South Park, The Simpsons and Futurama. He became interested in animation in his 20s and taught himself Adobe Flash using internet tutorials. Cusack uploaded his content to his YouTube channel and Newgrounds account. Cusack began to collaborate with Hadel, online at first then later in person, when Cusack traveled to meet him in Burbank, California. Cusack is also known for creating and portraying the fictional character Lucas the Magnificent, a parody of New Atheist "neckbeards", in live-action YouTube videos and on Twitter, beginning in 2014; Cusack would later state that the character led to him coming in contact with and later befriending Zach Hadel, as Lucas the Magnificent stated that he wanted Hadel to animate the intro of Lucas' inexistent prospective Let's Play show.
With Studio Yotta, Cusack animated a parody Rick and Morty episode, Bushworld Adventures, a special that aired on Adult Swim on April Fools' Day of 2018. The success of Bushworld Adventures led Cusack to create YOLO: Crystal Fantasy and Smiling Friends for the network. Cusack became a collaborator with Rick and Morty creator Justin Roiland, voicing characters for his video game High on Life, television film The Paloni Show Halloween Special, and Mammon in the online series Helluva Boss.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Bushworld Adventures | Various | April Fools' Day parody of Rick and Morty. Also director, writer, producer, animator, compositor |
| 2018 | Fresh Blood: Koala Man | Koala Man, Damo, Darren, various | Original pilot airing on ABC Comedy in Australia |
| 2020; 2022–present | Smiling Friends | Pim, Alan, various | Also co-creator, director, writer, storyboard artist, storyboard revisionist, art director, character design supervisor, designer, and animator. |
| 2020–present | YOLO | Lucas the Magnificent, various | Also co-creator, director, writer, executive producer, animator, storyboard artist |
| 2023–present | Koala Man | Koala Man, Damo, Darren, various | Also creator, writer, executive producer |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | High on Life | Knifey | Voice |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Question for Ted | Various | YouTube series; 2 episodes |
| 2013–2015 | Weedheads | Various | YouTube series; 2 episodes |
| 2014–2016 | Damo and Darren | Damo, Darren, various | YouTube series; 5 episodes |
| 2018 | OneyPlays | Self | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2018 | Shrek Retold | Donkey | Animator |
| 2019 | The Cyanide and Happiness Show | Aladdin | 1 episode |
| 2021 | Smiling Friends: Free Draw | Self | Special hosted on Adult Swim YouTube channel. |
| 2022 | The Official Podcast | Self | Podcast, Guest |
| 2022 | The Create Unknown | Self | Podcast, Guest |
| 2023 | Helluva Boss | Mammon | YouTube series; 1 episode |
References
- ^ Nikki. "Happy Birthday to dear ol' @MichaelRCusack! 🥳". Twitter. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- ^ Cusack, Michael. "Ten years ago when I was a little baby 19 year old I wrote and directed my first feature film ALL NIGHT GAMING. It's a silly little indie..." Instagram.
- ^ "Adult Swim's 'Smiling Friends' Turns Frowns Upside Down". Animation World Network. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ Mathiesen, Craig (9 January 2023). "'Why not Wollongong?' Disney backs irreverent Aussie superhero spoof". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ Zahed, Ramin (4 January 2022). "Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel Discuss Making 'Smiling Friends,' Their New Adult Swim Show". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ "The Smiling Friends Troll: How This Atheist Gamer Got an Adult Swim Cameo". YouTube.
- ^ Whalen, Andrew (2 April 2018). "'Rick And Morty' April Fools' Day Episode, 'Bushworld Adventures,' Premieres Instead of Season 4". Newsweek. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ @MichaelRCusack (13 June 2022). "Yayy I voiced that knife :) @SquanchGames #HighOnLife" (Tweet) – via Twitter.