William Rotsler was a multi-talented individual whose skills were applied to a diverse range of fields. His creative endeavors extended beyond the realm of film, as he was also an accomplished artist, sculptor, author, and photographer, often focusing on nudes.
Within the science fiction community, Rotsler is most renowned for his numerous cartoons, which he frequently provided to science fiction fanzines at no cost. His contributions to the design of the Science Fiction Writers of America Nebula Award were also noteworthy, as he supplied some of the components.
Throughout his career, Rotsler garnered four Hugo Awards for Best Fan Artist, in 1975, 1979, 1996, and 1997. In 1998, the Southern California Institute for Fan Interests established the William Rotsler Award in his honor, which is presented to recognize lifetime achievements by science fiction fan artists.
Rotsler's written works include "Patron of the Arts" (1974),"Shiva Descending" (co-authored with Gregory Benford in 1980),and "Science Fictionisms" (1995). His cartoon work can also be found in "The Kong Papers" (co-written with Harlan Ellison) and "Shall We Indulge in Rishathra?" (co-written with Larry Niven).
During the final decade of his life, Rotsler worked as a cameraman for the U.S.-shot sequences of the French TV series "Destination Series," collaborating with Bill Warren.