Mark Kirkland is a director of episodes of The Simpsons. As of 2009, he has directed 63 episodes, the most of any director. He has also worked on the show as a director longer than anyone else except David Silverman, having directed episodes since season two. In season 18, he became the show's supervising director for the first time. His father is Douglas Kirkland, who photographed Marilyn Monroe, John Lennon, and many other celebrities.
At the a...
more
Mark Kirkland is a director of episodes of The Simpsons. As of 2009, he has directed 63 episodes, the most of any director. He has also worked on the show as a director longer than anyone else except David Silverman, having directed episodes since season two. In season 18, he became the show's supervising director for the first time. His father is Douglas Kirkland, who photographed Marilyn Monroe, John Lennon, and many other celebrities.
At the age of 17, he began studying at the Experimental Animation Program at the California Institute of the Arts, where he was mentored and supported greatly by Jules Engel, Kendall O'Connor, Ollie Johnston, and Moe Gollub. After finishing up his degree, he applied to Disney, but he was not accepted. However, it was Gollub that suggested he come to work for Hanna-Barbera.
In 1976, he won the Student Academy Award for animation along with Richard Jefferies for the graphically animated film made to the song "Fame" by David Bowie.
Kirkland has won three...
less
