Ollie Johnston, last of the Disney “Nine Old Men” died at age 95

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Ollie Johnston died of natural causes on Monday April 14, 2008 in Sequim, Washington.

“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,” said Roy E. Disney.

Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston Website

Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston

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    • http://www.hamsterking.com JoOngle

      Aaaw… thats kind of sad :(

      He was one of my heroes (even though I’ve never met him) because for many years
      ago when I aspired to become an animator – I was directed towards “The Illusion of Life” book
      which Ollie Johnston where a part of – and many of the valuable teachings from the studio
      went into that book, so I sort of felt like I “knew” him by heart.

      Oh well – A long and rich life it probably was – 95 years is no bad feat for a man that
      was born in an age where we didn’t really had that many medical advantages as we have today.

      You may say that he got to work all his life with the best stuff in the world – and with the
      best people to – who became his personal friends.

      Goodbye old “friend” – life gave you much – but you gave so much back!

      /Tommy

    • http://www.animationbytim.com/ Tim Formica [Room335]

      JoOngle,

      Yes, it’s sad. A full life indeed he had including 43 years in Disney with his best friend Frank Thomas.

    • http://gingermanpro.blogspot.com Gingerman The Bread

      The CG community is sure to offer its respects, especially wanna-be animators like me.

    • http://blendernewbies.blogspot.com Kernon

      A good man, a good life. His impact on the world is felt by countless people, especially the general public that simply enjoy watching animation.

    • http://rexprime.com rexprime

      the end of a legacy

    • http://mfoxdogg.googlepages.com mfoxdogg

      a geat man, he will be sorely missed

    • http://wickes.webs.com/ PapaSmurf

      RIP, Ollie. Your magic lives on.

    • ArtIsLight

      Thank you, Ollie, for all you’ve done. May God bless all those you’ve touched. Thanks. May the legacy continue.

    • dusty

      Good bye Ollie, and thank you for your gift to our generation!

    • Samo

      @rexprime: The word “legacy”, it does not mean what you think it does.

    • Sergeant Oreo

      So long Mr. Johnston,

      May your hard work continue
      to inspire generations of animators!

      Now i’ll be sure to read The Illusion of Life after I finish the Animator’s Workbook!