He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

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Other (ended 1984)

Cast & Crew

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  • George DiCenzo

    Some additional voices (not credited)

    8.7

  • Alan Oppenheimer

    voice of: Skeletor, Man-At-Arms, Cringer/Battle Cat, Merman, Buzz-Off, Roboto, Melaktha, Yuckers and others

    8.6
    Alan started his acting career in the early 1960s as a support actor, guest starring in such shows as I Dream Of Jeannie, Get Smart, Hogan's Heroes, and hasn't stopped working since. Alan is best known for working behind the scenes and supplying voices to many popular children's cartoon characters, and shows.moreless

  • Lou Scheimer

    voice of: Orko, King Randor, Stratos, Trap Jaw, Tri-Clops, Man-E-Faces, Kobra Khan, Mekaneck, Fisto, Clawful, Modulok, Sy-Klone,

    0.0

  • Linda Gary

    voice of: Teela, Evil-Lyn, The Sorceress, Queen Marlena, Dree Elle, Delora, Queen Elmora, Lady Valtera, Shokoti, Kittrina and ot

    9.5

  • John Erwin

    voice of: Prince Adam/He-Man, Beast Man, Ram Man, Whiplash, Webstor, Granamyr, Icer, Count Marzo, Squinch the Widget, Zagraz, Pr

    10

  • Erika Scheimer

    Queen Marlena (in some episodes), additional voices (not always credited)

    0.0

  • D.C. Fontana

    Writer

    8.8

  • Rowby Goren

    Writer

    0.0

  • Coslough Johnson

    Writer

    0.0

  • Marc Scott Zicree

    Writer

    0.0

  • Michael Reaves

    Writer

    9.2

  • J. Larry Carroll

    Writer

    0.0

  • Janis Diamond

    Writer

    0.0

  • J. Michael Straczynski

    Writer

    9.6
    Straczynski is an award-winning American writer/producer of television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. He is also a playwright, journalist and author of a well-regarded tome on scriptwriting. He was the creator, executive producer and head writer for the science fiction TV series Babylon 5 and Crusade. Straczynski wrote most of the Babylon 5 episodes, notably an unbroken 59-episode run including all of the third and fourth seasons. He is also a participant in Usenet and other early computer networks, interacting with fans through various online forums.moreless

  • Stephen Tolkin

    Writer

    9.8

  • Barney Cohen

    Writer

    0.0

  • Bob Forward

    Writer

    8.5
    Shows "X-Men: Evolution" (2000) TV Series (story) (episode 1.05 "Speed and Spyke") (writer) (episode 1.01 "Strategy X") (writer) (episode 1.05 "Speed and Spyke") (writer) (episode 1.10 "Shadowed Past") (writer) (episode 2.10 "Mindbender") (writer) (episode 2.14 "Operation: Rebirth") (writer) (episode 3.02 "Stuff of Heroes, The") (writer) (episode 4.05 "Uprising") "Incredible Hulk, The" (1996) TV Series (writer) (episode 1.01 "Return of the Beast Part 1, The") (writer) (episode 1.02 "Return of the Beast Part 2, The") (writer) (episode 1.05 "Innocent Blood") (writer) (episode 1.07 "Doomed") (writer) (episode 1.08 "Fantastic Fortitude") (writer) (episode 1.11 "Darkness and Light Part 1") (writer) (episode 2.01 "Hulk of a Different Color, A") (writer) (episode 2.04 "They Call Me Mr. Fixit") "Beast Wars: Transformers" (1996) TV Series (writer) (episode 1.01 "Beast Wars: Part 1") (writer) (episode 1.02 "Beast Wars: Part 2") (writer) (episode 1.07 "Fallen Comrades") (writer) (episode 1.16 "Trigger: Part 1, The") (writer) (episode 1.17 "Trigger: Part 2, The") (writer) (episode 1.19 "Call of the Wild") (writer) (episode 1.22 "Low Road, The") (writer) (episode 1.24 "Before the Storm") (writer) (episode 1.25 "Other Voices: Part 1") (writer) (episode 2.02 "Coming of the Fuzors: Part 1") (writer) (episode 2.03 "Coming of the Fuzors: Part 2") (writer) (episode 2.11 "Agenda: Part 1, The") (writer) (episode 2.12 "Agenda: Part 2, The") (writer) (episode 2.13 "Agenda: Part 3, The") (writer) (episode 3.01 "Optimal Situation") (writer) (episode 3.08 "Go with the Flow") (writer) (episode 3.12 "Nemesis: Part 1") ... alternativ: "Beast Wars" (1996) ... alternativ: "Beasties" (1996) (Canada: English title) ... alternativ: "Beasties: Transformers" (1996) ... alternativ: "Transformers: Beast Wars" (1998) (USA: last season title) Owl, The (1991) (TV) (novel) (as Robert Forward) (screenplay) "Slimer! And the Real Ghostbusters" (1988) TV Series "Super Dave" (1987) TV Series (writer) Christmas Special, A (1985) (TV) ... alternativ: He-Man and She-Ra: A Christmas Special (1985) (TV) (USA: video title) ... alternativ: He-Man und She-Ra: Weihnachten auf Eternia (1985) (TV) (West Germany) [de] "She-Ra: Princess of Power" (1985) TV Series (writer) Secret of the Sword, The (1985) ... alternativ: He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword (1985) ... alternativ: Geheimnis des Zauberschwertes, Das (1985) (West Germany) [de] Filmography as: Writer, Miscellaneous Crew, Director, Art Department Miscellaneous Crew - filmography (2000s) (1990s) (1980s) "Kong: The Animated Series" (2000) TV Series (story editor) "X-Men: Evolution" (2000) TV Series (executive story editor) "Roswell Conspiracies: Aliens, Myths & Legends" (1999) TV Series (story editor) "Beast Wars: Transformers" (1996) TV Series (story editor) ... alternativ: "Beast Wars" (1996) ... alternativ: "Beasties" (1996) (Canada: English title) ... alternativ: "Beasties: Transformers" (1996) ... alternativ: "Transformers: Beast Wars" (1998) (USA: last season title) "Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, The" (1989) TV Series (animation adaptor) ... alternativ: "Club Mario" (1989) (USA: new title) "C.O.P.S." (1988) TV Series (assistant story editor) ... alternativ: "Cyber C.O.P.S." (1993) (USA: rerun title) "BraveStarr" (1987) TV Series (developer) "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" (1983) TV Series (story artist) (as Robert Forward) ... alternativ: "He-Man" (1983) (USA: short title) ... alternativ: "He-Man - Tal der Macht" (1983) (West Germany) [de] Filmography as: Writer, Miscellaneous Crew, Director, Art Department Director - filmography "Beast Wars: Transformers" (1996) TV Series (episode 2.09 "Code of Hero") ... alternativ: "Beast Wars" (1996) ... alternativ: "Beasties" (1996) (Canada: English title) ... alternativ: "Beasties: Transformers" (1996) ... alternativ: "Transformers: Beast Wars" (1998) (USA: last season title) 1. Please tell us a little about your background. My father is a scientist -- from his influence came my fascination with science fiction. My mother is actually an excellent writer but she never really pursued it as a career. I started in the industry as an artist and then switched to writing because it was more fun to cause the production problems than try to solve them. 2. What got you interested in writing? I started writing novels in college. Wrote two that went nowhere, the third ("The Owl") sold, but the publishing company went under and I never saw a dime. Still, the novel was made into a CBS pilot and is currently optioned by Disney so I can't complain too much. I'd still rather write novels than anything else, but they are a hard way to make a living. On the upside, they are all yours. 3. What other credits do you have besides Beast Wars? Animation, too many to list. I've probably worked on almost every animated show you can name -- except Disney. My wife works as an artist for Disney and we try to keep our jobs separate. Prevents conflicts. 4. What personal interests/hobbies do you have? I work out a lot to avoid the famous "writer's spread" -- I have a bunch of weight equipment in my office where it is handy to pump out a few sets while trying to mentally compose the "mot juste." I make knives and collect airguns, both pathetic attempts to bolster my masculinity given that, face it, I have a wussy job. 5. Is there any show/cartoon currently on television that you would love to write for? Funny thing is, I can't stand the tube and never watch it. It's business for me. The TV is in a back room of the house, I won't allow it in the family rooms and I resent its incursion into restaurants. My wife and I will go for weeks without seeing anything on the TV at all. We generally read and occasionally see movies or rent videos if there is something we specifically want to watch. 6. What suggestions do you have for anyone wanting to break into the field of writing? Write. If you are not writing already you probably never will. If you're waiting for "inspiration" or because you want to "get paid," forget it. A writer writes because they have to, because it's something they have to do no matter what. If that's what you're already doing, then all you're looking for is a direction, a medium in which to express yourself and hopefully earn some income. Tip: You can satifsfy the urge to write by talking about what you're going to do or showing work that's incomplete. Don't. Keep your mouth shut and force yourself to finish before showing anyone. There's still no guarantee that you will sell anything. But at least you have something finished to show; something that states to the reader and yourself that you are capable of finishing a project. Another tip: Magazines (all sorts) are always hard up for short bits as "filler." They'll have a page with one small ad and nothing to put on it. Easiest things to sell are short (around 800-1000 word) articles with a surprise "twist" at the end, either a joke or a zinger. They don't pay much but editors love them. They'll want it to come from an agent though -- Last tip: ANYONE can be a literary agent. Have a friend or a relative (preferably with a different last name) send out your work stating that they "represent you." Bang out a simple letterhead on your word processor. This will ensure that the editors at least read your stuff. They use agents as a "first filter," figuring that anyone who at least has an agent is good enough to read. But as I said, there are no tests or licenses to be an agent. Anyone can claim to be one. 7. Did you have any prior experience with Transformers before working on Beast Wars? Nope. 8. The first season of Beast Wars made many references to the original Transformers show. What influenced your decision to make Beast Wars Transformers part of the original Transformers story? Backstory always adds depth to a show and the fact that the show started to air while we were still writing episodes contributed a lot. A cruise of the Web turned up Ben Yee's page and already some speculation about the connections had started. We were intrigued by some of the ideas and decided to start seriously incorporating some of the Transformers backstory. The more research we did, the cooler it got. We've had to be selective, though. There are a lot of variations (show, comic, etc) and frankly some of the backstory was obviously convenient-at-the-time stuff that was never considered as part of an overall mythos. But we've been guilty of that ourselves at times. 9. What reference materials have you used when writing in references to the "original" Transformers? Larry does the research first and works from knowledge. I make up stuff that I particularly want to be true and then pester Ben for close approximations, after which I tailor my stuff to fit. 10. What influenced your decision to become a part of the Transformers "on line" community be maintaining contact with fans via e-mail and even posting on the Transformers newsgroup? It's fun. When it stops being fun, we'll quit. But the TF fans are, on the whole, clustered on the upper end of the intelligence bell-curve, which makes them an interesting group. 11. Up until about two years ago, Transformers was a floundering line. Now it is a huge success, how do you feel about being a part of that comeback? Again, it's fun. 12. Did Hasbro have any objections to your using references to the original Transformers series? Or did they encourage it? Funny thing is, they knew less about it than we did. But they were all in favor of it. 13. What is the process between conceiving the idea for a story and turning it into an animated show? How long does this process usually take? Working from an approved story arc: One-page premise; if approved, six-page outline; after notes, 22 page script; followed by about two drafts. Time depends on the writer and the turnaround time for notes. Longest time is about six weeks. Shortest was probably "Low Road" which was only about a week, total. 14. And finally, tastes great or less filling? At my age, non-fat and high-fiber. 1. What have you been up to since the end of Beast Wars? Greg Johnson and I did "Roswell Conspiracies" for BKN. For those interested, Simon Furman wrote a number of the shows, as did Ian Weir. We're now doing "Dan Dare" (for a different studio -- and again, Furman and Weir are contributing) and Larry and I are supposed to reunite on "Kong" for BKN. 2. There was quite a lot of fan reaction over your leaving Beast Wars. Was it shocking to have the writers of a series develop a fan base all their own? Bluntly, yeah. That never happens in animation. And it was certainly a heady experience while it lasted. Larry had a taste of it with Bab 5, but it was new for me. 3. What is your reaction to the Japanese series Beast Wars the Second, which borrowed some ideas from Beast Wars (such as stasis pods etc.)? Like we didn't swipe every idea that wasn't nailed down ourselves. This is animation. If they can use 'em, it will only make the Transformer Universe more cohesive. Good luck to them, I say. 4. Was there anything unique about the whole "Beast Wars" experience? The fan base. The CGI. Working in Canada. Directing an episode. Going to conventions. Meeting people who cared -- a LOT -- about a show. All unique -- all wonderful. Even the people who hated everything we were doing -- at least the passion was there. 5. If there was only one story you could rewrite, re-edit etc. in all of Beast Wars' three seasons, which would it be? How would you change it? Some shows were better than others, but there were always reasons -- things happening behind the scenes, certain executive requirements, animator inspiration -- that were the real reason for the problems or lack thereof. I mean, I'd love to have done "Nemesis'' the way Simon and I first conceived it, but it just wasn't feasable. We always did the best we could with what we had. But if I could change one thing, it would have been that dratted "Matrix" holder in "Optimal Situation." :-) 6. In the Japanese translation of the Beast Wars first season, Airazor was made into a male character, what do you think of that? If the toy didn't sell well here, that may have been a marketing decision. 7. There have been those who have criticized some of the third season of Beast Wars as being too "cartoony". What do you think of this statement? I agree. But it was being forced down our throats. Hasbro had decided this was what they wanted, and they were out to prove they controlled the show. They were leaning on not only us, but Mainframe as well, to simplify and "gag up" the show. The results may not have tested as well as they thought -- which would have ultimately lead to "Beast Machines" not having the same restrictions. Be thankful. And remember, they did allow us to "end" the series (VERY unusual for a toy company) and for that I am grateful. 8. Was it difficult leaving Beast Wars? Oh sure. Finishing a show is always a little bit of a pang for writers, because there is never any closure. Everyone else is still busy with production, so it's not like you get a party or anything. No one even calls to say "nice job." You turn in the last rewrite on the last script and then... nothing. Assuming the rewrite is satisfactory, you never hear from anyone again. You just wander around your office for a few days, fiddling with stuff, and then you decide it must have been okay, you toss out all your old scripts and model sheets and stuff, and go look for other work. With BW, after three years, it was harder than most. But not really any different. 9. (This question has been asked to death so I'll ask it to settle it once and for all): Did the Maximals collect all the stasis pods before departing Earth in "Nemesis Part 2"? I doubt they could have. Otherwise they would have done it already. 10. (Ditto): Where did the Maximals get the transwarp equipment to modify the Autobot shuttle in "Nemesis Part 2" from? That was actually written and animated, but did not make the final cut of "Nem 2." Optimus rips the Transwarp Cell (installed by Tarantulas) from the Nemesis' control panel before fleeing the ship. 11. Would you ever consider writing a story for the upcoming "Beast Machines Transformers" series? Never say never -- but I think not. I'd love to work on another Mainframe show, or even another Hasbro show, but there is a feeling of "been there, done that" about Optimus & Co. I'd like to see where new writers take it now. 12. Your three years on Beast Wars have been a major addition to the Transformers mythos. How does it feel to have added to a 15 year old legend? It wouldn't have worked anywhere near as well without the transfans.moreless

  • Don Heckman

    Writer

    0.0

  • Phyllis White

    Writer

    0.0

  • Robert White

    Writer

    0.0

  • Peter L. Dixon

    Writer

    0.0

  • Lawrence G. DiTillio

    Writer

    9.6

  • Brynne Chandler Reaves

    Writer

    0.0

  • Paul Dini

    Writer

    9.4
    Paul Dini is a famous writer that was born in New York City on the date of August 7th 1957.

    He is one of the many men that started the DC comics Universe with Batman The Animated Series and was with the DCAU until Justice League Unlimited where he only wrote occasionally.

    He had previously worked on many series before Batman The Animated Series like Tiny Toons and others.

    One of his favorite superheroes is Zatanna. Like herself, Paul and his wife (Misty Lee) are both magicians.moreless

  • Karen Willson

    Writer

    0.0

  • Chris Weber

    Writer

    0.0

  • Tom Ruegger

    Writer

    8.7
    Tom Ruegger is the fourteen-time Emmy-winning producer and creative force behind many of the most popular and successful animated television series of all time, including "Tiny Toon Adventures," "Animaniacs," and "Pinky and the Brain," to name only a few.
    Over the last decade, Mr. Ruegger has served as the Executive Producer and chief creative executive at Warner Bros. Animation. In 2002, he started his own company, Tom Ruegger Productions, and under its banner, Tom has been involved in the development, writing and production of multiple televisions series and feature films, both animated and live action.
    Mr. Ruegger began his career as an animator at Hanna-Barbera Productions, under the mentorship of his childhood heroes, Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera. Tom's early animation efforts appeared in such familiar cartoon series as "Scooby Doo," "The New Flintstones," "Casper" and "Godzilla." Tom honed his writing skills at Filmation Studios on such series as "Fat Albert" and "Tarzan," then returned to Hanna-Barbera to serve as a story editor and producer for a variety of shows, including "Pound Puppies" and "Scooby and Scrappy Doo." In 1988, Tom created and produced a new Scooby franchise, "A Pup Named Scooby Doo," which was the first Scooby series to be nominated for an Emmy Award.
    Tom joined Warner Bros. Animation in 1989 to head up production of "Steven Spielberg presents Tiny Toon Adventures." Thus began a decade-long creative collaboration between Mr. Spielberg and Mr. Ruegger that spanned five enormously successful series resulting in ratings success, a worldwide fan base, and over 30 Emmy Awards victories in numerous categories.
    With the success of "Tiny Toons," Warner Bros. Animation began its second "Golden Age," and Mr. Ruegger became chief creative executive of the company. Along with Jean MacCurdy, Tom executive-produced the studio's next major productions: the "Taz-Mania" series, starring the Tasmanian Devil; and "Batman: the Animated Series," a cartoon-noir take on the dark knight that premiered to rave reviews and strong numbers.
    At the same time, Mr. Ruegger continued his collaboration with Mr. Spielberg by creating a cast of breakout characters and a new franchise entitled "Animaniacs." This "hellzapoppin'" cartoon show, starring zany siblings Yakko, Wakko and Dot Warner, premiered on "Fox Kids," and it became the comedy template for the animation industry for a number of years every studio wanted its own "Animaniacs." The series went on to win multiple Emmys as well as the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award for Outstanding Achievement in Animation Programming. As the creator of "Animaniacs," Mr. Ruegger also served as senior producer, story editor, writer and lyricist on the series.
    Mr. Ruegger has gone on to create and produce a number of other acclaimed series as well. These include:
    "Pinky and the Brain"
    This animated series stars two lab mice, one a dim bulb, the other a megalomaniac bent on global domination. Tom created this award-winning series, and served as senior producer, story editor, and lyricist.
    "Freakazoid"
    This animated series follows the adventures of teenage nerd Dexter Douglas, who is swept into cyberspace and transformed into the world's wildest superhero, Freakazoid. Tom co-created this Emmy-winning series for Steven Speilberg, and served as producer, story editor and lyricist.
    "Histeria!"
    This cartoon comedy follows an eccentric cast, including Father Time, Big Fat Baby, Loud Kiddington and Charity Bazaar, as they travel through time and interact with key historic figures along the way. Tom created, wrote, and executive-produced the series.
    "Road Rovers"
    Tom created this animated adventure comedy starring a team of superhero canines.
    "Wakko's Wish" (2000)
    Tom co-wrote, produced and directed this animated feature film featuring the "Animaniacs" cast.
    "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm"
    Tom executive-produced this feature film.

    Tom grew up in Metuchen, New Jersey, and attended Metuchen High School, where he served as Student Council President, co-captain of his school's football and track teams, and editorial cartoonist for the highschool newspaper.
    Tom attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, and graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English. At Dartmouth, Tom served as the director of the Dartmouth Film Society, the nation's first and oldest college film society.
    In his junior year at Dartmouth, Tom received a grant from the Arthur and Lillie Mayer Foundation to create an animated film. This 10-minute film, "The Premiere of Platypus Duck," was the beginning of Tom's steps toward a film career and, especially, a greater understanding of animation. Before graduation, Tom received the Marcus Heiman Award, Dartmouth College's highest honor for creative achievement.
    Currently, Tom serves on the board of directors for the Hopkins Center and Hood Museum, which are the film/theater/arts centers at Dartmouth College.
    Tom is a member of the Writers Guild and the Screen Cartoonist Guild. He lives in Calabasas, California, with his three sons, Nathan, Luke and Cody.
    Recently, Tom helped story edit the 2004 Emmy Award-winning animated series "Tutenstein" for Porchlight Pictures.

    Tom Ruegger's Industry Awards:

    Emmy Award:
    Outstanding Animated Program "Tiny Toon Adventures"
    Tom Ruegger, Producer

    Emmy Award:
    Outstanding Original Song -- Main Title: "Tiny Toon Adventures." Tom Ruegger, Lyricist

    Emmy Award:
    Outstanding Writing in Animation -- "Tiny Toon Adventures."
    Tom Ruegger, Writer/ Story Editor

    Emmy Award:
    Outstanding Children's Animated Program "Tiny Toon Adventures." Tom Ruegger, Producer

    Emmy Award:
    Outstanding Animated Program -- "Batman: the Animated Series" Tom Ruegger, Executive Producer

    Emmy Award:
    Outstanding Children's Animated Program: "Animaniacs."
    Tom Ruegger, Senior Producer

    Emmy Award:
    Outstanding Original Song -- Main Title: "Animaniacs."
    Tom Ruegger, Lyricist

    Emmy Award:
    Outstanding Achievement in Animation: "Animaniacs."
    Tom Ruegger, Writer/Story Editor

    Emmy Award:
    Outstanding Animated Program: "Animaniacs.""
    Tom Ruegger, Senior Producer

    Emmy Award:
    Outstanding Original Song -- Main Title: "Freakazoid."
    Tom Ruegger, Lyricist

    Emmy Award:
    Outstanding Animated Program: "A Pinky and the Brain Christmas" Tom Ruegger, Senior Producer

    Emmy Award:
    Outstanding Animated Program "Freakazoid."
    Tom Ruegger, Senior Producer

    Emmy Award:
    Outstanding Animated Program "Pinky and the Brain"
    Tom Ruegger, Senior Producer

    Emmy Award:
    Outstanding Children's Animated Program "Pinky, Elmyra and the Brain" Tom Ruegger, Senior Producer

    George Foster Peabody Award:
    Outstanding achievement in children's entertainment -- "Animaniacs."

    Environmental Media Award:
    "Tiny Toon Adventures."

    Prism Award:
    "Pinky and the Brain"

    The Angel Award:
    "Histeria!"moreless

  • Robby London

    Writer

    0.0

  • David Wise

    Writer

    9.8

  • Shelley Karol

    Writer

    0.0
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