Michael John Roberts, 'TripTank' co-creator, dies at 48

Michael John Roberts, a Canadian animator and director whose credits included co-creating Comedy Central's TripTank and working on Netflix's BoJack Horseman, died Wednesday at his Los Angeles home at age 48.

Roberts was best known for animated comedy aimed at adults, Deadline reported. "Michael saw the world a little differently," his family wrote in its announcement. "A gifted artist with an extraordinary talent, he could find something worth exploring in what others might overlook," the family added.

His family said glioblastoma caused his death after a brief illness and that he died peacefully, surrounded by family. Among those announcing his death was his wife, actor Bree Williamson, known for One Life to Live and Gossip Girl.

"With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Michael John Roberts," the family wrote.

Roberts grew up in Toronto after his birth on Dec. 20, 1977, to Wendy, a doctor, and Teddy, a mechanic. He said in a 2021 interview that he had aspired to draw comic books as a boy, but Back to the Future turned his attention toward animation.

"But somewhere in there I found out that they did the lightning bolts on the DeLorean in Back to the Future by hand and decided that was the job for me!" Roberts said in the interview.

Roberts studied animation at Ontario's Sheridan College, then worked in Toronto, New York and London before making Los Angeles his home in the late 1990s.

He started out on children's shows, among them Angela Anaconda and The Hoobs. Canada's Decode Entertainment produced both, while The Jim Henson Company shared creation and production duties on The Hoobs. His work included Tales of Rat Fink.

Roberts earned the Juno Award for video of the year in 2012 for Rumbleseat, a six-minute animated Western-style short featuring Canadian band The Sadies. He created and directed the film.

TripTank and BoJack

Comedy Central aired the sketch series TripTank from 2014 to 2016, with Roberts serving as co-creator and director. He directed every one of its 28 installments over two seasons, The Hollywood Reporter reported.

Bob Odenkirk, Larry David, Niecy Nash and Zach Galifianakis were among the performers who lent their voices to the show.

Roberts worked on the opening sequence for Netflix's BoJack Horseman in 2015 and directed two episodes. Will Arnett and Aaron Paul starred in the series, which wrapped in 2020.

Animation studio and production company ShadowMachine made both shows, along with Final Space and Dallas & Robo. Roberts served as supervising director on the first season of Final Space, a TBS animated comedy-drama, in 2018.

John Cena and Kat Dennings starred in Dallas & Robo, which aired on YouTube Red in 2018. A science-fiction fan, Roberts described the eight-episode buddy comedy as "Smokey and the Bandit in space."

Roberts directed episodes of F Is for Family, starring Bill Burr, including several in 2017. He went on to direct all 10 episodes of Strange Planet, the 2023 Apple TV series co-created by Dan Harmon, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

His commercial work included spots for Honda, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, ABC and Pulse Electric Scooters. Roberts directed season one of MrBeast Lab, then worked as a writer and consulting producer on season two. He also directed Backyard Sports, an animated special.

Roberts later served as an executive producer on Hot Wheels Let's Race, the 2024 series. At Mattel Television, his most recent work included executive producer and creative producer roles on Hot Wheels Let's Race: Attack of the T-Rex. He also worked on Masters of the Universe: Tales from Eternia for Mattel and Netflix.

Asked in 2025 to advise newcomers, Roberts said, "Make the thing you want to make."

"Because everyone in this business wants you to have already done it," he said, noting in 2025 that the line is shorter than one might think.

His family's remembrance

"Although his illness came suddenly and the time that followed was heartbreakingly short, it cannot define the man he was," his family wrote.

"We were supposed to have more time," his family wrote, and more chances to talk with him over coffee.

Roberts is survived by Williamson and their son, McGreggor. In a remembrance, Williamson wrote that their teenage son "was a source of immense pride" to Roberts.

His survivors also include his sister, Jane Roberts, niece Gwen, nephew Vaughan and cousin Hrothgar Cashmore, whom he regarded as a brother.

Rather than send flowers or donations, his family asked loved ones to "save your money and buy a cool car, that's what Michael would have wanted".