Roy Disney has died

*Raph's Girl* · 12-16-2009, 02:47 PM

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Roy-Disn...s-1013182.aspx

Quote:

Roy Edward Disney, a nephew of Walt Disney who restored his uncle's legendary animation company, died after a battle with cancer Wednesday morning, according to The Los Angeles Times. Disney was 79.

Roy Edward, the son of Roy O. Disney, Walt's brother who ran the business side of the company, Disney spent the first 20 years of his career making nature films, including the Oscar-nominated short subject Mysteries of the Deep.

Following the death of his uncle in 1966 and his father in 1971, Disney was denied a larger role in the company and quit in 1977. He did, however, remain on the board of directors until 1984,when he quit the board, frustrated that the company had lost its toehold in the feature-film business.

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When Michael Eisner took over as chief executive that same year, Disney advised the CEO on reviving the company's animation unit, which included investing millions in computer animation equipment. Within a few years, the Walt Disney Co. studio released a slew of critically acclaimed animated hits, including The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King.

"It was Roy who was the protector. It was Roy who was the godfather, the champion and believer in it," said Peter Schneider, the former president of Walt Disney Feature Animation. "Animation doesn't work without someone who believed, and Roy believed."

In 2005, current CEO Robert Iger offered Disney an office at the company's Burbank studios, a consultancy and the title "director emeritus."

**ThirdMarioBro** · 12-16-2009, 08:33 PM

With everything that has happened in this godawful year, this doesn't surprise me. That said, as much as it hurts to see him go, I'm thankful he held on as long as he did. Roy Disney saved animation not once, but twice. He saved Disney, and left it in the hands of the most capable and qualified people imaginable. And to top if off, he left this world with The Princess and the Frog the number one movie in America. Suck on that Jeffery Katzenberger, and suck on that Dreamworks. You failed.

Rest in Peace Roy. We will never be able to repay you for what you gave back to us.

SwordofTengu · 12-19-2009, 11:32 AM

He helped a crumbling company, and served as Walt's voice (in some ways). He had to die at some point, now his legacy lives on.

*Samhain* · 12-20-2009, 03:41 PM

His legacy will live on. RIP.

12-16-2009, 08:33 PM	#2
ThirdMarioBro Tea Time! Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,905	With everything that has happened in this godawful year, this doesn't surprise me. That said, as much as it hurts to see him go, I'm thankful he held on as long as he did. Roy Disney saved animation not once, but twice. He saved Disney, and left it in the hands of the most capable and qualified people imaginable. And to top if off, he left this world with The Princess and the Frog the number one movie in America. Suck on that Jeffery Katzenberger, and suck on that Dreamworks. You failed. Rest in Peace Roy. We will never be able to repay you for what you gave back to us. __________________

12-19-2009, 11:32 AM	#3
SwordofTengu Foot Soldier Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 102	R.i.p. He helped a crumbling company, and served as Walt's voice (in some ways). He had to die at some point, now his legacy lives on.

12-20-2009, 03:41 PM	#4
Samhain Dare To Be Stupid! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: 1313 Mockingbird Lane Posts: 4,752	His legacy will live on. RIP.