Gerry Anderson, Supermarionation pioneer, sci-fi icon, and creator of Thunderbirds, Stingray, Captain Scarlet and more, died in his sleep on 26 December 2012.
The news was announced on his son Jamie Anderson’s website. He wrote: “I’m very sad to announce the death of my father, Thunderbirds creator, Gerry Anderson. He died peacefully in his sleep at midday today (26th December 2013), having suffered with mixed dementia for the past few years. He was 83.”
Shaun Of The Dead and Scott Pilgrim director Edwar Wright commented, “Space 1999, Thunderbirds, Stingray, Captain Scarlett, Terrahawks, Joe 90, UFO. My whole childhood just died. Rest In peace, Gerry Anderson.”
“Gerry Anderson made my childhood better,” echoed Sandman creator Neil Gaiman. “My favorite Thunderbird was 4, Gordon’s, because I could legitimately play with it in the bath.”
Geek commentator and TV personality Jonathan Ross added, “Sad news. For men of my age his work made childhood an incredible place to be.”
“Sorry to hear about the death of Gerry Anderson, creator of great TV formats,” said author Paul Cornell, “with a hotline to the inside of children’s brains.
