Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

July 25, 2008 5:40:33 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Pioneering Disney Animator Dead at 95

Posted Apr 16, 08 2:40 AM CDT in Arts & Living 

(Newser) – The last surviving member of Disney's legendary "Nine Old Men," who pioneered character animation, has died at the age of 95, the Los Angeles Times reports. Ollie Johnston's many creations, often in collaboration with Frank Thomas, included sequences and characters in Pinocchio, the Jungle Book, Bambi, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians and many more.

"Ollie's death truly marks the end of the golden age of hand-drawn Disney character animation that blossomed in the 1930s," said an animation historian. "He was a great and nuanced animator who could handle sentiment and comedy with equal aplomb—as well as a sweet and generous mentor to many." Johnston is survived by two sons.

Source Los Angeles Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon
In this image released by Disney, animator Ollie Johnston is shown at the Disneyland Railroad in this May 10, 2005, photo.   (AP Photo/Disney, Paul Hiffmeyer)
This photo shows Walt Disney, far right, and four of his legendary animators, from left, Milt Kahl, Marc Davis, Frank Thomas and seated in the foreground, Ollie Johnston.   (AP Photo/The Walt Disney Studios)
This photo released by The Walt Disney Studios shows legendary Disney animator Ollie Johnston animating Baloo for the 1967 Disney classic "The Jungle Book," taken in August 1965.   (AP Photo/The Walt Disney Studios)
This photo released by The Walt Disney Studios shows legendary Disney animators Ollie Johnston, seated, and Frank Thomas in May of 1957, animating the three fairies from "Sleeping Beauty."   (AP Photo/The Walt Disney Studios)
Walt Disney's so-called "Nine Old Men" animators. From left, Ward Kimball, Eric Larson, Frank Thomas, Marc Davis, Ollie Johnston, Les Clark, Milt Kahl, John Lounsbery, and Wollie Reitherman.   (AP Photo/The Walt Disney Studios)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Disney's Fantasia - "The Pastoral Symphony." Animation supervised by Ollie Johnstgon.   (TheNewToonTracker)

« Prev « Prev  |  Next » Next »
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 2)

Tags

obituary  • Disney  • Frank Thomas  • animation  • Walt Disney  • Bambi


Loading...

Loading...

Today's Most Popular


Other Arts & Living Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »