Bud Bottoms Dies at Age 90

Flowers laid at the base of the Stearn’s Wharf Dolphin Statue created by Bud Bottoms (Photo: John Palminteri / KEYT)

By edhat staff

Iconic Santa Barbara artist, sculptor and environmental activist James “Bud” Bottoms passed away at age 90 this weekend.

He reportedly passed away peacefully in Hospice care.

Bottoms is best known around Santa Barbara for his dolphin and animal sculptures, most famously, the Dolphin Fountain in front of Stearn’s Wharf. Similar dolphins created by Bottoms are also placed in Santa Barbara’s sister cities: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Toba City, Japan; and Dingle, Ireland.

Following the 1969 oil spill off the Santa Barbara coast, Bottoms became a fervent environmentalist who helped found the activist organization “Get Oil Out!” (GOO). He was also instrumental in creating the first-ever Earth Day celebration which is now celebrated worldwide. 

Friends, family, and locals took to social media to express their condolences. There was a common theme of Bottoms’ kindness and compassion with many compliments of his youthful character.

Reporter John Palminteri stated that Bottoms postponed his 90th birthday party in January following the mudslide and was planning to host a party this coming January for his 91st.