Unit 2-The Nine Old Men of Disney

The Nine Old Men of Disney

A photograph of the Nine old men

Les Clark- Was born November 17th, 1907 and died September 12th, 1979. He joined Disney in 1927 and he speciality was working on Mickey Mouse, and was the only one of the nine old men who worked on the character of Mickey Mouse, and continued animating up until "Lady and and the Tramp".

Marc Davis- Was born March 30th, 1913 and died January 12th, 2000. He joined Disney in 1935 by working on Snow White, later he worked on characters like Bambi and Thumper.

Ollie Johnston- Was born October 31st, 1912 and died April 14th, 2008. He also started in 1935 by working on Snow White, and went on to write the animators bible "The illusion of Life" with Frank Thomas, and he also worked on many different character in Manny Disney movies. For example: Mr Smee in Peter Pan,  Prince John in Robin Hood.

Milt Kahl- Was born March 22nd, 1909 and died April 19, 1987. He stared in 1934 and started working on Snow White. Examples of his work include: shere Khan in the jungle book, and Edgar the butler in The Aristocats.

Ward Kimball- Was born March 4th, 1914 and died July 8th, 2002. He also joined Disney in 1934. Examples of his work include: Jiminy Cricket,  Lucifer, Jaq, and Gus. His work was seen as very "wild" and unique.

Eric Larson- Was born September 3rd, 1905 and died October 25th, 1988. He was one of the top animators at Disney, and animated many characters such as, Peg in Lady and the Tramp, and the vultures in The Jungle book. It was Larson's Job to train new talent, and many animators today were trained by Larson.

John Lounsbery- Was born March 9th, 1911 and died February 13th, 1976. He started in 1935 working under another animator, and soon became a star animator himself and very strong draftsmen who inspired many other animators over the years. He was mainly known for the Squash and stretchy feel.

Wolfgang Reitherman- Was born June 26th, 1906 and died May 22nd, 1985. He also joined Disney in 1935, was an animator and director for Disney and continued to do so even until Walts death. Examples of his work include: The crocodile in Peter Pan, and the dragon in Sleeping beauty, and the Captain Hook in Peter Pan.

Frank Thomas- Was born September 5th, 1912 and died September 8th, 2004. He joined Disney in 1934, and he went on to write the animators bible 'The illusion of Life" with Ollie Johnson. Examples       of his work include the stepmother in Cinderella, and Captain Hook in Peter Pan.