In tragic news this morning, it’s been confirmed that Jon Schnepp — who directed multiple episodes of the amazing Metalocalypse cartoon series — has passed away.
The 51-year-old had been in intensive care after suffering a “catastrophic stroke” earlier this month, and his family have now made the difficult decision to switch off his life support.
Schnepp’s longtime partner Holly posted a heart-wrenching message to social media, confirming that her beloved “died peacefully” on July 19th after his brain stopped functioning.
Her message reads:
It is with a broken heart that the Schnepp family and I must announce the passing of our beloved Jon Schnepp, who died peacefully on July 19, 2018.
Jon ultimately succumbed to the effects of a massive stroke. He had a blood clot removed from his left carotid artery, but the bleeding could not be stopped. Irreparable and catastrophic damage was caused to both hemispheres and all brain activity ceased. His sister Deborah and I had to make the difficult decision to take him off of life support. There was no possible way for him to recover. Please understand.
I spent the last hour of his life with him holding him, laying my head across his massive chest, kissing him, stroking his hair, playing his favorite songs, and telling him over and over again how much I love him. My life has been forever changed by Jon. I feel endlessly grateful to have shared 16 years of laughter, love and incredible adventures together, including the making a feature film, as well as a television series that I hope to complete and release later this year in his honor.
Jon’s mother Miriam, his father David, his sister Deborah and I are devastated beyond measure. We appreciate your love and support, and most importantly your understanding of our privacy at this time as we grieve.
Thank you, Holly Payne
As huge Metalocalypse fans, we believe this appropriately sums up our current feels:
Schnepp directed 33 of Metalocalypse‘s 62 episodes across four seasons. He is also known for his work on Collider Movie Talk, The Venture Brothers, Upright Citizens Brigade and the documentary The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened?
Social media tributes have begun pouring in from across the entertainment world in his honour, including from Metalocalypse creator Brendon Small, who called Schnepp an “animation pioneer” and a “creative behemoth” with a “larger than life personality”.
Holly has also confirmed that a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Schnepp’s treatment, which had already raised over USD$100,000 prior to his death, will remain active to help the family pay off his “costly medical expenses”.
RIP Jon Schnepp.
https://twitter.com/hollykpayne/status/1020373989590355968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1020373989590355968&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metalinjection.net%2Fthis-is-just-a-tribute%2Fmetalocalypse-director-jon-schnepp-has-passed-away
Rest In Peace animation pioneer Jon Schnepp. A creative behemoth and larger than life personality. Unbelievable.
— Brendon Small (@brendonsmall) July 20, 2018
Jon Schnepp, a truly creative and good-hearted man, has passed away. If you can, please help Holly with the massive, life-crushing medical bills? Let's help someone who's been devastated. https://t.co/Ortz4wmGS2
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) July 20, 2018
The Collider family is heartbroken over the passing of one of our own, Jon Schnepp. We will be releasing a statement at 1pm PT.
— Collider (@Collider) July 20, 2018
