Aardman Animations founders Peter Lord and David Sproxton have been knighted in King Charles' birthday honors, recognizing their groundbreaking work in stop-motion animation.
Aardman's Legacy
Known for iconic films such as “Wallace and Gromit,” “Shaun the Sheep,” and “Chicken Run,” Lord and Sproxton founded Aardman Animations in 1972. They were part of a prestigious list of 1,182 honorees announced on Friday, which included various figures from politics, sports, acting, and music.
In a joint statement, Lord and Sproxton expressed their surprise and gratitude, saying, "We both feel it is an extraordinary privilege and an honor — as well as a complete and utter surprise — to be recognized in this way."
Entertainment Industry Honorees
Dame Helen Mirren, already one of the highest-ranking honorees, was made a Companion of Honour, a title held by only 65 people at any one time. Dexter Fletcher, actor-turned-filmmaker known for directing “Eddie the Eagle” and “Rocketman,” was made an OBE.
David Holmes, Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double in the “Harry Potter” films, received an MBE for his charitable work and contributions to film and media. Holmes was paralyzed after an accident during the filming of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1.” His story was featured in the 2023 documentary “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived.”
Patrick Doyle, a film score composer known for collaborations with Kenneth Branagh and compositions for films like “Thor” and “Gosford Park,” was made a CBE.
Authors Honored
British children's author Julia Donaldson, famed for writing “The Gruffalo” among over 200 books, was made a dame. Her works have been adapted into BBC animated films. Fellow author Malorie Blackman, celebrated for the “Noughts and Crosses” series, also received damehood. Her series was adapted into a BBC drama.
These honors highlight the significant impact of British talent across various cultural sectors, from literature to film.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/global/aardman-founders-peter-lord-david-sproxton-knighted-1236780307/
