Brian Trueman, Creator of ‘Danger Mouse,’ Dies at 92

Brian Trueman, the celebrated writer behind the iconic cartoon series Danger Mouse, has passed away at the age of 92. His son, Jonathan Trueman, confirmed the news in a Facebook post, revealing that his father died in hospital on Sunday evening after a brief illness.

Trueman enjoyed a distinguished career in television and radio. He was known for hosting the BBC children’s quiz show Screen Test and worked with Granada TV. However, he gained most recognition for his contributions to animation through Cosgrove Hall Films. Trueman’s notable works include Danger Mouse, which premiered in 1981 and featured the voice of Sir David Jason, as well as Count Duckula and Chorlton and the Wheelies.

A graduate of Stretford Grammar School, Trueman briefly attended the University of Manchester before embarking on his career. His other son, Ben Trueman, shared his grief on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “Some sad news. My father Brian Trueman has died. 92 years of happy life.” He described his father as “clever, funny, resilient, an absolute gentleman, loving and loved” and expressed the family’s deep sense of loss, saying, “We will all miss him so much.”

Cosgrove Hall Films Archive paid tribute to Trueman, expressing sadness at his passing. An Instagram post highlighted his unique ability to appeal to both adults and children, contributing significantly to the success of series like Danger Mouse, The Wind in the Willows, and Jamie and the Magic Torch. The post also noted that Trueman was always eager to share stories about his career, even later in life, and that he was a speaker at their recent Puppet Masters conference. “Our thoughts are with his family this week as we remember what a legend he was,” the post added.

The news of Trueman’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes. Writer Bob Fischer expressed his condolences on X, calling Trueman “a great presenter and a terrific writer whose work absolutely lit up my childhood.” Animator and comic artist TopperHay also shared his respects on X, remembering Trueman as “a very funny, down-to-earth man” whom he met at an animation festival in 2019. TopperHay appreciated Trueman’s insights into his work and his vocal talents.

Ben Trueman acknowledged the overwhelming support from fans and said the family was “absolutely blown away and deeply moved” by the heartfelt messages. He concluded, “It’s really wonderful to know that he and his work are remembered fondly.”