[3] According to his World War II draft registration, he was born in Newport, Jackson County, Arkansas.
[8][5] From the fall of 1967 Washam taught animation at no charge to eager, young students in weekly classes conducted at his Laurel Canyon home in Los Angeles.
Many of Ben Washam's students from the late 1970s—which included Ren and Stimpy layout artist Eddie Fitzgerald—would lead the 2D Silver Age animation revival during the 1990s.
Washam was known for his ability to explain animation mechanics as pertinent, useful methods, articulating and communicating the principles.
[2] His last work involved animating television commercials for Jay Ward and drawing layouts at Jones' production company.
His work is best recognized by the loose connection of the core body parts, with a great deal of Hip Initiation; this led to multiple assignments of 'personality' scenes, as he could keep interest well in closeup.