Disney's Legendary Marc Davis Dies

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgOn 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.