Pioneering Disney Animator Dead at 95

Despite health fears after he missed 75% of meetings in 2010

(NEWSER) - Disney shareholders have re-elected Steve Jobs to the company's board of directors despite an advisory firm's concerns about his poor health. The Apple chief—who owns more than 7% of Disney stock and has been on the board since Disney acquired Pixar in 2006—missed nearly three-quarters of board meetings last year. He was also absent from yesterday's shareholder meeting, during which the other 12 board members were also re-elected, notes the Hollywood Reporter . More»

New app encourages your friends to come along

(NEWSER) - Disney has quietly taken the next step in linking social networking and commerce: a new Facebook app allows users to buy tickets to Toy Story 3 without leaving the website. Disney's application isn't just the first such service embedded directly into Facebook—it also capitalizes on Facebook's social nature by encouraging your friends to buy as well, reports the New York Times . If the idea works, and early signs suggest it will, expect more movies to get the same treatment. More»

Classic animation charms the critics

(NEWSER) - Classic Disney animation makes a triumphant return with The Princess and the Frog. Critics agree the film is beautiful, and most—but not all—were charmed by the story:

• The movie, set in New Orleans, is “the sweetest, most sincere romantic comedy to come along in ages, and a luminous love letter to a great American city,” writes Mary Elizabeth Williams in Salon .

(NEWSER) - Sadly, Mickey Mouse will need a new voice. Wayne Allwine, who has voiced the character for the past three decades in movies and at Disney parks, died Monday from diabetes at age 62, the Los Angeles Times reports. Allwine is only the third person to voice Mickey, following Walt Disney himself and Jimmy Macdonald. Allwine's wife, Russi Taylor, is the voice of Minnie Mouse. More»

Lost , Grey's Anatomy to join Hulu roster

(NEWSER) - Disney and Hulu have a deal to allow the web-video site to show episodes from ABC properties, the Wall Street Journal reports. Disney’s approximately 30% stake in Hulu will be comparable to that of NBC and News Corp, which bankrolled the site initially. Disney said popular shows like Lost and Grey’s Anatomy would be available, along with programs from ABC Family, SOAPnet and Walt Disney Studios. More»