Disney Legend Ollie Johnston dies at 95

[Circarama]

You know, it was inevitable. But when it happens it still feels like someone kicked you in the stomach.

Rest in peace, Ollie... and thank you.

[disneytim]

Originally Posted by Circarama

You know, it was inevitable. But when it happens it still feels like someone kicked you in the stomach.

When he had his estate sale last year, we all knew his days were short. It doesn't reduce the sadness.

It always feels odd to have a sense of personal loss over someone you've never met. Yet, when you've connected with a man's work for so long, you can't help feel like you did know him in a way. The loss is only compounded by realizing we've said goodbye to the last major link to the halcyon days of the Walt Disney Studios. "The end of an era" is a trite saying, but certainly apropos.

Ollie Johnston lived a long, full life, though, and he left a legacy that will influence and inspire artists and fans for generations. That is truly something to celebrate.

[DisneyGirl52]

Aww, Ollie...

I loved his work, he was truly amazing and will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace.

[Aura of Foreboding]

May he rest in peace. He will be missed.

[Coheteboy]

I need to dig out some old photos from a few years ago when Frank and Ollie were doing their talk on stage back at the Academy. That was a wonderful evening.

[Queentitania19]

Originally Posted by Coheteboy

I need to dig out some old photos from a few years ago when Frank and Ollie were doing their talk on stage back at the Academy. That was a wonderful evening.

What I wouldn't have given to hear that. The more I look at his resume the more I feel the impact of loss to the industry and the world.

[disneyfan07]

to all of Ollie Johnston's family I offer this: I extend to you all my condolences and my thoughts and prayers. his memory and the work he did will live on.
to all of his friends and acquaintences I offer the same.

I am reminded of a quote

"he is not really dead. as long as we remember him."

Leonard (Bones) Mccoy from Star Trek II (during the "birth" of the genesis planet)

God Bless you all.
Ollie, rest dear friend. you have earned it.

[Tractor]

Its a sad day in Disney history. He was the last of a great generation of animators. May he rest in peace.

[Alchimedes]

Sorry to see this man go.
There is no mediocrity in this man's life or any of the other "Nine"

[WDWImagineer]

Ollie Johnston, may he rest in peace.
Thank You for all you contributed to the world of animation.

[disneytim]

Ollie Johnston, the last of Disney's "Nine old Men," has died

If you saw The Incredibles you caught a glimpse of animated versions of "Frank and Ollie." A nice little Disney tribute to Disney's past.

If you caught the wonderful documentary, Frank and Ollie, about Ollie Johnston's long friendship and professional collaboration with Frank Thomas, you know who I'm talking about.

But if you've ever seen a Disney cartoon, one of the classics, you've seen Ollie Johnston's work. He had a hand in everything from Snow White to The Fox and the Hound. He was famous for giving his characters warmth, human feeling, emotions. He all but invented that in cartoons.

Ollie Johnston was the last of Disney's "Nine Old Men," his trusted cadre of animators that included Ward Kimball, Frank Thomas, Wolfgang Reitherman, Les Clark, Eric Larson, John Lounsbery, Milt Kahl and Marc Davis. And now he's gone. Oliver "OIllie" Johnston was 95.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/ent...-johnston.html

[Alice's Wonderland]

Originally Posted by disneytim

. The loss is only compounded by realizing we've said goodbye to the last major link to the halcyon days of the Walt Disney Studios.

That made me cry. I hope that all the nine old men and Walt himself are now reuninted once more.

[royaldisneyfan]

Very sad. I didn't folllow the Nine Old Men til just a couple years ago. I heard the names before, but never really got to know them. The Nine Old Men feature on the Cinderella (Platinum Edition) really put in perspective what kind of work those guys did and how much Walt loved each and every one of them. The friendship between Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas was also special.

RIP Ollie Johnston. The end of a Disney Era.

[Lost Boy]

Truly the end of an era. Rest in Peace Ollie.

[Coheteboy]

This link was posted on post # 1 but I wanted everyone to take another look. They're always updating it with videos and comments and quotes.

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/disney/ol...ston-1912-2008


If you didn't click on it before, there's a great video of Glen Keane talking about Ollie's animation in great detail.


Roy Disney had this to say:

“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. One of Ollie’s strongest beliefs was that his characters should think first, then act…and they all did. He brought warmth and wit and sly humor and a wonderful gentleness to every character he animated. He brought all those same qualities to his life, and to all of our lives who knew him. We will miss him greatly, but we were all enormously enriched by him.”