Disney's Nine Old Men
Disney's Nine Old Men were the core animators and directors that created the Disney studio's most famous early work, from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs onward.
They were:
- Les Clark, who joined Disney in 1927. His specialty was animating Mickey Mouse.
- Ollie Johnston, who joined Disney in 1935, first working on Snow White. Went on to author the animator's bible The Illusion of Life with Frank Thomas.
- Frank Thomas joined Disney in 1934. Went on to author the animator's bible The Illusion of Life with Ollie Johnston.
- Wolfgang "Woolie" Reitherman joined Disney in 1935, as an animator and director. Directed all the Disney films after Walt's death until his retirement.
- John Lounsbery started in 1935.
- Eric Larson joined in 1933.
- Ward Kimball joined Disney in 1934.
- Milt Kahl started in 1934, working on Snow White, and was one of the best animators to ever work at the studio.
- Marc Davis started in 1935 on Snow White and later he went on to develop/animate the characters of Bambi and Thumper (in Bambi), and Cruella DeVil (in One Hundred and One Dalmatians). Davis was responsible for character design for both the Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion attractions at Disneyland.
