Dave Creek, the lead character designer on the animated series “Bob’s Burgers,” died Thursday following complications from a skydiving accident. He was 42.
Creek’s death was confirmed in a statement from Fox Entertainment and Bento Entertainment, according to USA Today.
“We are heartbroken at the tragic passing of Dave Creek, an extraordinary artist who had been with ‘Bob’s Burgers’ from day one,” according to a statement provided by Alexandra Gillespie and shared to the official “Bob’s Burgers” Twitter account. “He was not just an incredible talent but a beautiful person as well, and our hearts go out to his family, friends, and all his colleagues at the show who loved him and are grieving today.”
Creek graduated from the California Institute of the Arts and worked as a freelance animator until he was hired to join the “Bob’s Burgers” staff, Rolling Stone reported.
Creek had worked on the show since it premiered in 2011. His other credits include “Central Park,” “Brickleberry,” “Happiness Is a Warm Blanket” and “Charlie Brown,” according to IMDb. Since 2015, Creek worked as an adjunct professor in the Calarts character animation department, Rolling Stone reported.
Several of Creek’s colleagues paid tribute to him on Twitter.
“Today we tragically lost our Lead Character designer and friend, Dave Creek,” director Simon Chong tweeted. “A wonderfully brilliant and talented man who I can guarantee designed your favorite character on Bob’s at some point. I’ll miss you, buddy x.”
“If you love Bob’s Burgers, you loved Dave Creek,” writer Wendy Molyneax tweeted. “He was an adventurous funny outgoing amazing artist and one of the most incredible, interesting people I ever met. I often thought that Dave really knew how to live, and I wish he got to live some more. Rest In Peace, buddy.”