Kaz

Kaz, full name Kazimieras Gediminas Prapuolenis (okay, try saying that three times fast), popped into the world on July 31, 1959, right in Hoboken, New Jersey. Now, if you’re into offbeat cartoons or you’ve ever found yourself humming along to “Squirrels in My Pants,” you probably know his work even if you don’t know his face. Kaz isn’t just a behind-the-scenes kind of guy; he’s the brains (and a fair bit of the weirdness) behind some of the most iconic animated shows out there. He’s probably best known for his work on “Phineas and Ferb.” That series? The guy helped turn the summer vacation into an epic, endless adventure, with inventions, chaos, and a platypus secret agent. Not exactly your average childhood, right? But Kaz’s fingerprints are all over other gems too. “Camp Lazlo!”—remember that wild bunch of scouts and the nutty camp counselors? That’s Kaz. He brought his unique flavor of humor and bizarre storytelling to the forest, making leeches and jelly beans seem almost cool. And let’s not forget “The Patrick Star Show.” If you think SpongeBob’s sidekick couldn’t get any stranger, just wait till you watch Patrick try to host his own talk show. Kaz jumped in as both writer and producer, turning the whole thing into the kind of fever dream only true cartoon fans can appreciate. Basically, Kaz is one of those rare creatives who can make the absurd feel totally normal, and honestly, animation would be a lot more boring without him.