J. Stuart Blackton was an American film producer, director, and screenwriter, born on January 5, 1875. He is often regarded as one of the pioneers of animation and is best known for his work in the early days of cinema. Blackton co-founded the Vitagraph Studios, which became one of the first major film studios in the United States. In 1906, Blackton created one of the first animated films, titled Humorous Phases of Funny Faces. His innovative techniques laid the groundwork for future animation, influencing many artists and filmmakers. Blackton's contributions to the film industry helped shape the development of both live-action and animated storytelling.