Chairman of Film Roman Animation Studio Let Go

David Pritchard has been dismissed as chairman of Film Roman Inc., the animation studio that produces “The Simpsons” and other cartoons, the company said Thursday.

Pritchard’s removal angered some of the 330 employees at the North Hollywood animation boutique. Pritchard had been chairman since September 1997, and employees launched a petition drive to reinstate him.

Pritchard’s contract was up, and the board decided not to renew it, according to a board statement. Bill Shpall, the company’s chief operating officer, and Jon Vein, executive vice president, will take over his duties until a new chairman is found.

Pritchard, 52, was an executive at Chase Manhattan Bank and HBO before he took the reins at Film Roman from company founder and veteran animator Phil Roman. Roman founded the company in 1984 and took it public in 1996 at $10 a share. During the past year, the stock has languished in the $2 neighborhood.

Pritchard could not be reached for comment Thursday.