The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Animator \An"i*ma`tor\, n. [L. animare.]
   One who, or that which, animates; an animater. --Sir T.
   Browne.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

animator
    n 1: someone who imparts energy and vitality and spirit to other
         people [syn: energizer, energiser, vitalizer,
         vitaliser, animator]
    2: the technician who produces animated cartoons