David Allen was a visual effects director who received an Academy Award nomination for his work on Young Sherlock Holmes. He began his career on television in 1965, working on series programs at first and then moving on to commercials. He helped in the animation of several iconic TV commercial characters, including the Pillsbury Doughboy and Mrs. Butterworth. As most professionals do, he eventually moved on to film, working on several as a special effects specialist. He died in 1999, at the age of 54.