About John Halas
Lived 1912 – 1995 (aged 82). John Halas was a British and Hungarian film director, animator, screenwriter, film producer, director and producer.
John Halas OBE (born János Halász; 16 April 1912 – 21 January 1995) was a Hungarian-British animator. Together with Gyula Macskássy (an acquaintance from Sándor Bortnyik's Bauhaus art studio, Műhely), and Félix Kassowitz, Halász co-founded Hungary's first animation studio, Coloriton, in 1932. Coloriton existed for 4 years, producing animations for cinemas, including Boldog király kincse ("The Treasure of the Joyful King"). Halász learned his craft under George Pal, but launched his own career in 1934, and two years later moved to the United Kingdom where later, with his wife Joy Batchelor, founded Halas and Batchelor in 1940. Halas died on 21 January 1995, aged 82.
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Important facts
People in John Halas's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Halas's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Halas?
Hungarian animator (1912–1995)
When was John Halas born?
John Halas was born on 16 April 1912 in Budapest.
When did John Halas die?
John Halas died on 21 January 1995 in London.
What was John Halas's occupation?
John Halas was a film director, animator, screenwriter, film producer, director and producer.
What nationality was John Halas?
John Halas was British and Hungarian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Halas. https://biography.guide/john-halas/
MLA: "John Halas." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-halas/.
Chicago: "John Halas." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-halas/.
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