Fleischer

Fleischer is a German-language surname meaning “butcher,” derived from the occupation of preparing meat. It originated in German-speaking regions and spread with migration to other parts of Europe and the Americas. Like many occupational surnames, it was adopted by families of diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds and can be found in various spellings in different countries.

The name is most closely associated with figures in early American animation. Max Fleischer (1883–1972) was a pioneering animator who invented the rotoscope, a device used to trace live-action footage for animation. He co-founded Fleischer Studios with his brother, Dave Fleischer, and the studio became known for a distinctive style of musical and comic cartoons, including the character Betty Boop and the Popeye the Sailor cartoons.

Fleischer Studios, based in New York, was one of the leading animation studios of the early sound era. In the 1940s the studio produced a noted series of Superman animated shorts for Paramount Pictures, expanding the reach of animated superhero narratives. The studio’s work contributed to innovations in animation technique and comedic timing, and it helped shape the trajectory of American animation through mid-century.

Beyond these figures, Fleischer appears as a surname among various individuals in fields such as arts, science, and business. The surname remains a recognizable marker of Germanic linguistic heritage and occupational origin, retained by descendants and adopted in informal or professional contexts.