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Ollie Johnston died Monday at the age of 95. You may be wondering, who is Ollie? Should I know him? And why is he associated with your Disney Newsflash? Mr. Johnston was party of the animation team for some our favorite classic Disney movies such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Fantasia, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, and Bambi. In fact he was the supervising animator for Bambi. He had a hand in almost every Disney animated movie for 40 years (1935-1976). When he began his Disney career, he made $17 a week.

“Ollie was part of an amazing generation of artists, one of the real pioneers of our art, one of the major participants in the blossoming of animation into the art form we know today,” said Roy Disney, director emeritus and consultant for The Walt Disney Co. (AFP Google)

Ollie Johnston won many awards during his life including a Disney Legends Award (1989), Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held a tribute to him (2003), and the National Medal of Arts (2005 - the first animator to be honored with the award).

Sources:

• AFP: Last animator from Disney’s golden age dies at 95, April 16, 2008
• The New York Sun: Ollie Johnston, 95, Veteran Disney Animator, April 16, 2008