Hal Mason was a 50-year veteran of the entertainment industry, having worked as a producer, director, writer and animator. He worked with cartoon producer Walter Lantz on Woody Woodpecker, Andy Panda and Oswald Rabbit. Additionally, Mason was credited as the creator of the Pillsbury Dough Boy, Mr. Clean, and other animated characters In 1982, Mason wrote the “Chipmunks Christmas” television special. Although ailing for the past nine months, Mason was still working on characters, including those used in the Raid insecticide commercials. Other Mason creations include the Frito Bandido and the bear used in the Hamm’s beer commercials.