Thurop Van Orman

Biography

Mark Ashton "Thurop" Van Orman is an American animator, writer, director, and voice actor known for his distinctively surreal visual style and high-pitched voice work. He is best known as the creator of the cult classic Cartoon Network series "The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack" (2008–2010), a show that is widely credited with launching the "CalArts era" of animation by mentoring future creators like J.G. Quintel (Regular Show) and Pendleton Ward (Adventure Time). In 2026, Van Orman is a key creative force behind "The Angry Birds Movie 3", scheduled for theatrical release on December 23, 2026. While he directed the second installment, he has shifted roles for the trilogy capper, serving as the Screenwriter and Executive Producer. He handed the directorial reins to his frequent collaborator John Rice, tasking himself with crafting the script that reportedly expands the franchise into a multiverse narrative. Van Orman remains an active and sought-after voice actor. In 2025, he voiced characters in the Adventure Time spinoff "Fionna and Cake" (as Wishy) and appeared in the animated sitcom "Universal Basic Guys". He is also the voice of Gideon Gleeful in Gravity Falls, a role he reprised in various shorts and specials over the years. His directorial debut, "The Angry Birds Movie 2" (2019), is currently the highest-rated video game adaptation on Rotten Tomatoes, a critical success that revitalized his career in feature animation after years of television work on shows like Camp Lazlo and The Powerpuff Girls.