Ollie Johnston, 1912-2008

[Mason_Ireton]

I read the news on Animated-News and was surpised to read bout Ollie's death, his work are pure, creative and special. He strived to do the best he could on these classics, felt a sense of purpose of doing these films. Frank and Ollie were a idle brotherly love symbol, it's sad to hear that the remaining piece of Animation/Disney History has passed away, thank you Ollie for the wonderful characters and fun that you provided Walt's film.

To me, Ollie's work got me interested in animation, especaily Disney animation, my first film was Jungle Book, that scene where Baloo introduces himself to Mowgli was amazing to see, "It's just a pile of drawings" (Eric Goldberg) to some people, animation may seem like a pile of drawings but to Ollie, those drawings were life of a animator's curioustly and independence. Again thank you 9 old men and thank you Ollie for these great memories.

[Disney Duster]

Thank you for all that you have done, Ollie Johnston, especially two self-hating stepsisters and three magical, heroic heroines.

And thank you Nine Old Men, for everything, especially the work on my favorite characters and films, but you were extraordinary in all your work. You were the best, and no one will be able to fill the shoes of the FIRST BEST.

[PixarFan2006]

This is sad news. My thoughts also go out to his friends and family.

[Prudence]

http://thedisneyblog.com/2008/04/14/oll ... en-disney/

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[PeterPanfan]

RIP, Ollie.

[PrincePhillipFan]

This is such sad news to hear.

Ollie was truly one of my favorite animators at the studio, and even though I respect and love the work of each of the Nine Old Men, Ollie's, John Lounsbery's, and Milt Kahl's animation skills and characters were some of my favorites. It's such a shame to hear that such a talented man has passed away, and we lose another person who was personally involved in the classic era of Disney animation.

[Disney Villain]

This is terrible news. Thank you Ollie Johnston for all the magic over the years! You will truly be missed. My prayers go out to him and his family.

[Wonderlicious]

[Disney Princess Ariellen]

Thank you, Ollie, for leaving such a wonderful legacy.

[TonyWDA]

Words can't describe how sad I am too hear this. He was one of Disney's best.

R.I.P. Ollie Johnston.

[musicradio77]

Ollie Johnson was truly the last of the Nine Old Men, he was the best animator in the whole wide world.

Frank Thomas, Ward Kimball and the rest of the Nine Old Men would always be with him forever. RIP.

[Kyle]

Brad Bird gives some thoughts on his passing.

heres a quick exceerpt.
When Frank and Ollie retired from production on the same Friday I was the next animator on Ollie's desk the following Monday; the very desk he had used for decades to create so many indelible animated moments. I was properly awed as I sat down in Ollie's chair, at his desk.
As I was checking it out and getting the feel of it I noticed the pencil sharpener was full of shavings. Instead of throwing them out I poured them into a glass jar, labeled it and set it atop the desk. Good luck shavings: a simple reminder of the hard work required to create magic. My own jar of real Disney dust. The last jar.


more here. http://www.cartoonbrew.com/disney/brad- ... -johnston.

[lord-of-sith]

This is truly sad news. May you rest in peace Ollie. You and the other 8 geniuses who brought us some of the greatest animation in history.

[Disney Duster]

Good luck shavings: a simple reminder of the hard work required to create magic. My own jar of real Disney dust. The last jar.

OMG THANK YOU. And that is so touching, too. But Brad should know they can make new Disney magic, and dust, and in fact have done so. It's just the Nine Old Men's was first and best.

[Blackbird]

I wonder what John Lasseter has to say about Ollie... Has anyone found a tribute by him yet?

[KubrickFan]

I just heard the news. Sad, but remember he has had a great life. He loved his work, was honored by his boss, the animation industry and many fans all over the world, and probably died peacefully. Your legacy will inspire many, many generations after this one. Thanks.

[Ariel'sprince]

.
Thanks for your work.

[REINIER]

You, and your talent will be sorely missed.
You sent a spark through the animation community and for that we will always be gratefull

[Kyle]

I wonder what John Lasseter has to say about Ollie... Has anyone found a tribute by him yet?

from the cartoon brew post linked in this thread.

John had this to say.

“Ollie had such a huge heart and it came through in all of his animation, which is why his work is some of the best ever done. Aside from being one of the greatest animators of all time, he and Frank (Thomas) were so incredibly giving and spent so much time creating the bible of animation – ‘Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life’ – which has had such a huge impact on so many animators over the years. Ollie was a great teacher and mentor to all of us. His door at the Studio was always open to young animators, and I can’t imagine what animation would be like today without him passing on all of the knowledge and principles that the ‘nine old men’ and Walt Disney developed. He taught me to always be aware of what a character is thinking, and we continue to make sure that every character we create at Pixar and Disney has a thought process and emotion that makes them come alive.”

[Jules]

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