A legendary Disney animator who worked on countless classic movies has passed away in Canoga Park, California, at the age of 87.
Burny Mattinson was a prolific animator, story artist, producer, and director who helped bring a number of Disney classics – including The Lady And The Tramp (1955) and Sleeping Beauty (1959) – to life.
He also worked on various other projects including Aladdin, Tarzan, Mulan, Pocahontas, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Great Mouse Detective, and, more recently, Big Hero 6 and Strange World.
According to the reports, Mattinson became Walt Disney’s longest-serving employee and was about to be honored with an award for 70 years of service to the company this June.
“Burny’s artistry, generosity, and love of Disney Animation and the generations of storytellers that have come through our doors, for seven decades, has made us better — better artists, better technologists, and better collaborators,” Jennifer Lee, a Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, said in a tribute to the late animator.
“All of us who have had the honor to know him and learn from him will ensure his legacy carries on.”
Paying a tribute to the legendary animator, producer, story artist, and writer was also the director of Oscar winner Big Hero 6, Don Hall, who worked alongside Mattinson on his latest project – Strange World.
“For almost 30 years, I’ve had the privilege to work alongside Burny Mattinson, from Winnie The Pooh to Big Hero 6 to, most recently, Strange World. I have marveled at his artistry, enjoyed his good humor, and sat enraptured by his stories of Disney history,” he said.
“At 18 years old, he followed his dream of working at Walt Disney Animation Studios, and for almost 70 years he lived that dream every day, inspiring all of us who had the good fortune to follow in his footsteps. I love him dearly.”
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