Famed Disney animator Frank Thomas dies at 92

[CujoSR]

From: MercuryNews.com

GARY GENTILE
Associated Press


LOS ANGELES - Frank Thomas, one of Walt Disney's trusted "Nine Old Men" who animated two dogs romantically nibbling a single strand of spaghetti in the 1955 Disney film "Lady and the Tramp," has died. He was 92.

Thomas died Wednesday at his home in La Canada Flintridge, said Howard E. Green of Disney's Buena Vista Pictures Marketing.

Thomas had been in declining health following a cerebral hemorrhage earlier this year.

In his 43-year history at Disney, Thomas, often working with old friend and collaborator Ollie Johnston, also animated the dancing penguins in "Mary Poppins" and Thumper teaching Bambi how to ice skate.

Walt Disney jokingly dubbed Thomas and other top animators his "Nine Old Men," derived from a description of the Supreme Court by President Franklin Roosevelt.

"Frank was a giant in our field, and he meant everything to me and to all of us who loved the art of animation," said John Lasseter, creative head of Pixar Animation Studios and a former Disney animator.

"Frank was one of my main mentors and a tremendous influence on me," Lasseter said in a statement. "I feel very privileged to have known him."

Thomas was born in Santa Monica. He graduated from Stanford University, where he majored in art, drew cartoons for the school newspaper and met classmate Johnston, forming a lifelong friendship.

The two started working at the Walt Disney Studios in 1934 and made animation history as members of the team that created "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," the first full-length animated feature.

Thomas then directed the animation of the title character in "Pinocchio" and himself drew the "I've Got No Strings" musical number.

His other credits include the wicked stepmother in "Cinderella," the Queen of Hearts in "Alice in Wonderland" and Captain Hook in "Peter Pan."

"Frank is an important part of the Disney legacy and one of the most amazing talents to ever work at the studio," said Michael Eisner, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Co.

Thomas and Johnston both retired in 1978 and went on to author several influential books on animation, including "Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life" and "The Disney Villain."

The pair were the subject of a 1995 documentary film "Frank and Ollie," written and directed by Theodore Thomas, the animator's son.

"Besides being one of the key guys to help elevate animation from a novelty to an incredible art form, he was so generous in passing along his knowledge and experiences to the generations that followed," Lasseter said.

Thomas also played piano in the Dixieland jazz group The Firehouse Five Plus Two, formed by fellow animator Ward Kimball.

Thomas is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jeanette; four children, sons Theodore, Doug and Gregg and daughter Ann Ayers.

No funeral is planned. Details of a memorial service will be announced.

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On the Net:

Web site maintained by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston: http://www.frankanollie.com

[dazyhill]

I was saddened to hear the passing of Frank Thomas the legendary Disney animator who was one of the pioneers of character animation.
I had the privilage of meeting both him and Ollie Johnston back in 1993 at the official Disneyana convention. He was very nice and accomadating and I could have talked to him for hours.
Had it not been for Frank Thomas and all the other "Nine Old Men", the art of animation might have been quite different. They trained so many of the top animators today. Some top animators they trained are Glen Keene ("Beast", "Ariel", and "Aladdin"), Andreas Dejia ("Gaston", "Lilo"), John Lasseter ("Toy Story"), and Brad Bird (Early principal animator on "The Simpsons", and now working on Pixar's "Incredibles").
Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston wrote some noteworthy books on Disney animation in particular, "Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life". I highly recommend either buying this (It might be out of print) or borrowing a copy from your local library. (Even tougher to find is the companion video.) The film "Frank and Ollie" is also a good choice to learn more about the life, career, and friendship of these two animators.
Rest in Peace Frank Thomas and thank you.

[BohoRoohaha]

This is so sad. I actually got a chance to meet and shake hands with both Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. They were both very sweet! Poor Ollie I wonder how he is doing?