Will Vinton, one of the most recognized animators in the business, has left his eponymous animation house, Will Vinton Studios - a company he founded almost three decades ago.

Vinton, 55, a claymation trailblazer best known for his California Raisins and talking M&Ms, plus the Emmy award-winning comedy The PJs, parted ways with the company last week.

He stepped down as a board member of Portland-based company on April 14. He then circulated an e-mail stating: "Today I have been laid off along with a number of staff members. I will be leaving the company as an employee right away."

Vinton was one of five people let go as part of a corporate restructuring. His departure comes less than six months after Nike co-founder Phil Knight became a majority shareholder and board member of the studio.

The studio has garnered a host of honors over the years including numerous Clio awards for its advertising plus a total of 11 Emmy awards for its television work. The company has visibly struggled in recent years. It now employs approximately 100 employees, down from 400 in busier times.

Vinton was unavailable for comment before going to press.

http://www.vintonstudios.com