On Wednesday, January 12, 2000, Walt Disney's legendary animator Marc Davis
passed away at Glendale Memorial Hospital shortly following a stroke. He
was 86 years old. Davis was a member of Disney's inner circle known as the
"nine old men." During his 43-year tenure at the studio, Davis brought to
life such classic characters as Bambi, Cinderella, Alice, Briar Rose,
Maleficent and Cruella DeVil. In addition to creating many of Disney's
female characters, he served as a key player in the development of many of
the famous original Disneyland attractions like "It's a Small World" and
"Pirates of the Caribbean." "We have lost one of the great giants of our
industry," commented Roy Disney, vice-chairman of The Walt Disney Co. "Marc
was a true renaissance man and an amazing talent who helped to define the
art of animation and raise it to incredible new heights. Marc's high
standards and incredible achievements serve as great inspirations to
today's artists and animators and he will be sorely missed by his Disney
family and the legions of fans the world over." Davis joined Disney in 1935
as an apprentice animator and was promoted to assistant animator when SNOW
WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS started production. Davis' animation directing
credits include SONG OF SOUTH, CINDERELLA, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, PETER PAN,
SLEEPING BEAUTY, and 101 DALMATIANS. Besides his phenomenal work as an
animator, Davis taught advanced drawing for seventeen years at Chouinard
Art Institute in Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A. Currently his paintings and
drawing are on display at the Larry Smith Fine Arts Gallery in Los
Angeles. His paintings of New Guinea have been collected for an upcoming
book titled THE BITE OF THE CROCODILE. Tom Sito, president of the Motion
Picture Screen Cartoonists Union Local 839, said of his friend: "Beyond his
skill as an artist and teacher, he was a man who regardless of his fame
always had time to make new friends and spend time with the young. I shall
miss him." Davis is survived by his wife of 44 years, Alice. There will be
no funeral service, but plans for a memorial service will be announced
soon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the
California Institute of the Arts.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
