This Wednesday February 14th, Ryan Larkin died from a metastasized lung cancer at age 63. He was a well-known animator and auteur from Montreal, and an Oscar nominee for his film Walking, in 1969.

Having worked at the National Film Board during the 60s and 70s, he produced many successful films, like Walking and Street Musique. He learned most of his animating techniques from Norman McLaren.

However, lately, he was more known as having drug and alcohol problems, as well as being homeless, hanging around Schwartz Deli on St-Laurent. The story of such a successful director ending on the streets surprised many and was the inspiration for several documentary films, including the award-winning short film Ryan, by Chris Landreth (Oscar for Best Animated Short). The success of the latter got Ryan back into business, as he got working again on some films, after years of non-productivity.

In December 2006, he worked on some shorts for MTV. He said that he had given up on his bad habits, and that he would make a comeback into auteur animation. He was rumoured to be allowed back in at the NFB.

RIP, Ryan.