At 95, Phil Roman, the six-time Emmy winning animator known for his work on “The Simpsons” and “King of the Hill,” joined with friends, family members, and industry colleagues at an intersection in Toluca Lake as it was given the name Phil Roman Square.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian, who introduced the motion designating the square in Roman’s honor said on Monday, “We’re here to recognize this wonderful man’s talent, contributions and creativity, as well as hard work, for everyone to see, everyone to recognize, everyone to acknowledge.”
Roman began his career in 1955 as an assistant animator for Disney’s classic “Sleeping Beauty.” He directed 13 “Peanuts” animated specials between 1973 and 1983. He founded the Film Roman studio in 1984, which produced the “Garfield and Friends” animated series, and the “Garfield” animated specials, which brought him his first three Emmys. He was the animation executive producer for “The Simpsons” from 1992-99, winning three more Emmys.
A workman attaches the official sign designating Phil Roman Square at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Ponca Avenue during a ceremony honoring the animator’s 95th birthday in Los Angeles on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian welcomes guests and introduces animator Phil Roman during a dedication ceremony renaming the intersection of Riverside Drive and Ponca Avenue as Phil Roman Square in Los Angeles on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
Guests gather near the street sign dedicating Phil Roman Square during a ceremony honoring the legendary animator’s 95th birthday at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Ponca Avenue in Los Angeles on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
The building that once housed the animation studio of animator Phil Roman stands at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Ponca Avenue in Los Angeles, where the area was dedicated as Phil Roman Square on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
Animator Phil Roman gives a thumbs up to members of the media during a ceremony honoring his 95th birthday and the dedication of Phil Roman Square at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Ponca Avenue in Los Angeles on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
Phil Roman poses with Los Angeles City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian’s official motion dedicating Phil Roman Square during a ceremony honoring Roman’s 95th birthday at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Ponca Avenue in Los Angeles on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
Friends and colleagues pose with animator Phil Roman, seated at center, during a ceremony honoring his 95th birthday and dedicating Phil Roman Square at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Ponca Avenue in Los Angeles on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
Mariachi musicians perform during a ceremony dedicating Phil Roman Square in honor of the legendary animator’s 95th birthday at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Ponca Avenue in Los Angeles on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
1 of 8
A workman attaches the official sign designating Phil Roman Square at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Ponca Avenue during a ceremony honoring the animator’s 95th birthday in Los Angeles on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
The building that once housed Roman’s animation studio stands at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Ponca Avenue in Toluca Lake. At the southwest corner of Riverside Drive and Ponca Avenue, the new sign reads, “Phil Roman, Animator, Director, Producer.”