…will celebrate his 101 birthday on October 28. I had the pleasure of meeting him for the first time one week ago at a Disney event. Don has an amazing memory and didn’t mind recounting highlights from his long career in animation. He joined Disney in 1933 (!!) and left in 1960. Many shorts and most of the animated features include great animation by Don. He animated the fish ballet in Fantasia’s Nutcracker Suite, he drew Alice during that long fall down the rabbit hole, where her dress turns onto a parachute. When in Sleeping Beauty Flora and Merryweather start to throw pink and blue pixie dust at each other, that was Don, too. One of his final assignments included Nanny from 101 Dalmatians, as she finds out that the puppies have been stolen and runs out into the street calling for help.
After Disney Don worked for Hanna Barbera and other studios as an animator and director.
I really enjoyed talking to Don, who is one of the most positive, forward looking artists I have ever met.
I really enjoyed talking to Don, who is one of the most positive, forward looking artists I have ever met.
About a year ago Steve Hulett from TAG conducted a great phone interview with Don. Here are parts 1,2 and 3:
