The Nickelodeon Animation Studio is reporting the very sad news that one of the studio's most iconic employees, Don Newhouse, unfortunately passed away on Tuesday 12th May 2015. You can read Nickelodeon Animation Studio's very touching tribute to Don below:
In Memory of Don Newhouse
1924-2015
Sadly, we lost one of our most iconic Nickelodeon Animation Studio employees yesterday, May 12, 2015.
Don Newhouse came to work for the studio back in 1995 while we were still at our Vineland Ave. location and wrapping up Season 4 of Rocko's Modern Life. He was hired to handle the parking lot security detail, working for a third party security firm. As we got to know Don, we discovered that we'd been blessed by someone who was more than just your average 70-something year old security officer. Don was simply...amazing! Don had a kindness & generosity about him that the average guy envied, a constant sense of humor, and a very intelligent presence about him. He was light hearted, had a quick wit, was very playful, and never took life too seriously. In 1998, we opened the Nickelodeon Animation Studio in Burbank, and Don was hired as the official greeter for the studio.
His duties primarily included greeting employees and visitors as they arrived with a smile and a quick word of encouragement. With a voice made for radio, his signature catchphrase "It's a beauuuuuuutiful day" was enough to put a smile on any passerby's face. He was always making us laugh too. One employee wrote "I always remember when I would leave on a Friday I'd say "Have a good weekend Don," and he would always reply with "I'll try to stay out of jail."
Don was so loved around here that he was forever immortalized by making cameos in episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants, Fanboy & Chum Chum, and Invader Zim. He listened and loved, he cared about everyone he came in contact with, and never ceased to let life's challenges bring him down.
When Don was given lemons… Don made jokes. His impact on everyone who entered the gates of Nickelodeon for all of those years will not be forgotten.
Until we meet again, our friend. It's always going to be a beautiful day!
