Butch Hartman | Fairly Odd and Forever Iconic | Toon'd In! with Jim Cummings
This week on Toon’d In!, Jim Cummings welcomes the wildly inventive and endlessly energetic Butch Hartman! A titan of television animation, Butch is best known as the creative force behind beloved Nickelodeon classics like The Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom, T.U.F.F. Puppy, and Bunsen Is a Beast—shows that shaped a generation and redefined Saturday morning cartoons.
In this fast-paced and laughter-filled episode, Butch shares his journey from an eager young animator at Hanna-Barbera to becoming one of the most recognizable names in modern TV animation. He and Jim swap stories about voice acting chaos, late-night production miracles, and the creative risks that led to some of the most iconic characters in toon history.
From drawing Timmy Turner on a napkin to building an entire cartoon universe, Butch breaks down the power of humor, heart, and hustle in building stories that stick. Whether you’re a budding animator, a nostalgic 2000s kid, or just love a good behind-the-scenes look at the toon biz—this one’s a must-listen.
🎙️ Ever wondered how a pink hat, a ghost boy, and a talking dog secret agent came to life? Tune in and get Toon’d In!
🎟️ Meet Jim and Butch in person!
Catch Jim Cummings at these upcoming conventions:
Nostalgia Con (Milwaukee, WI) – September 26–28
Smoky Mountain Anime Fest (Gatlinburg, TN) – October 17–19
Armageddon Expo (New Zealand) - October 24-27
Supanova Comic Con Adelaide (Australia) - October 31 - November 2
Supanova Comic Con Brisbane (Australia) - November 7-9
Nostalgia Con (New Orleans, LA) – November 21–23
Nostalgia Con (Salt Lake City, UT) – March 13–14, 2026
Meet Butch Hartman at these upcoming events:
Animate! Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA) - October 3-5
Stay Toon'd for more appearances—because these legends are just getting started!
🎧 Listen on Spotify: bit.ly/4fHWwxa
🍎 Listen on Apple: bit.ly/3AmUYZi
💖 Support on Patreon: patreon.com/jimcummingspodcast
🎉 Order a Cameo from Jim: cameo.com/toondinjimcummings