Ted Berman, Disney animator and director of THE BLACK CAULDRON, passed away on Sunday, July 15, 2001. He was 81 years old. Berman started at Disney in 1940, and remained with the studio for 45 years. He started as a character animator working on BAMBI, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, FANTASIA, LADY AND THE TRAMP, PETER PAN, MARY POPPINS and 101 DALMATIANS. Berman was also a key member in creating the Disney television series, THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF COLOR and THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB. He wrote such Disney classics as THE RESCUERS, THE FOX AND THE HOUND and THE BLACK CAULDRON, which he also co-directed with Richard Rich. "Our marching orders were to expand beyond our young audience without losing it," Berman said to the LA TIMES at the film's release. "It's got a PG rating, and no pink bunnies or butterflies." Berman is survived by his wife Jacqueline, son Phillip, daughter Cathy Nourafshan and six grandchildren. Services were held at Hillside Memorial Park in Los Angeles on Wednesday, July 18, 2001.
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