Jules Bass, who created an animation empire with his partner Arthur Rankin Jr, has passed away at age 87, his publicist Jennifer Fisherman-Ruff confirmed.

Bass was born on September 16, 1935. He attended New York University, while working at Gardner Advertising in Manhattan before joining his soon-to-be creative partner Rankin at the formerly-known production company Videocraft International Limited. The company innovated the animated motion style that utilized stop-motion techniques that took longer than the process that other animation studios used. Rankin and Bass’ style was called “Animagic.”

After eight years of releasing animated films under the Videocraft International Limited banner, the pair decided to change the production company’s name to Rankin/Bass Productions in 1968.

Apart from their Christmas classics, the pairs have also created a number of animated films and series that include Mad Monster Party?, The Last Unicorn, Thundercats, and The Jackson 5ive. The pair worked together until 1987.

After his work in animated films, Bass decided to start writing books for children. He would write four books; Headhunters, Herb, the Vegetarian Dragon, Cooking With Herb, and Herb, der vegetarische Drache.

Bass’ name will be etched etched in history because of his contribution to holiday hallmark films, such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.