2008 Obituaries

Key Disney personalities who passed away in 2008.

Animator Bill Melendez dies - Variety (9/3/2008)
Variety reports Emmy-winning animator Bill Melendez who is credited with the creation of such Peanuts TV specials as "A Charlie Brown Christmas" has died at the age of 91. He began his career at the Disney Studios.
Morris F Sullivan, 91, former Disney animator - (9/2/2008)
Morris Sullivan along with three of Disney's top animators left the company in 1979 and established what eventually became known as Sullivan Bluth Studios. Sullivan has ied at his Toluca Lake home at the age of 91. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 10850 Moorpark St., North Hollywood.
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Rare woman at early Disney helped create iconic displays at Walt's park - (8/27/2008)
A look at the historic career of Disney Legend Harriet Burns who passed away recently.
Harriet Burns, 79; first female designer for Walt Disney Imagineering - Los Angeles Times (7/30/2008)
The Los Angeles Times highlights the career of recently deceased Disney Legend Harriet Burns. A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Aug. 20 at All Saints by the Sea Episcopal Church, 83 Eucalyptus Lane, Santa Barbara. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, Southern California Division, 900 W. James M. Wood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015.
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Estelle Getty dies at 84 - The Hollywood Reporter (7/22/2008)
The Hollywood Reporter highlights the career of Estelle Getty who passed away at the age of 84. Getty won an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Sophia in "Golden Girls" -- a Disney-owned Touchstone Television production.
Harvey Korman dies at 81 - (5/30/2008)
Legendary comedian best known for his Emmy-award winning work on "The Carol Burnett Show" has died at 81. Disney fans will recall his work as the authoritarian yet bumbling ship's captain in "Herbie Goes Bananas" He also played Brownie in "The Adventures of Gallegher"
Promising Pixar Artist Dies at 27 - Ratatouille (5/5/2008)
Justin Wright, a young storyboard artist at Pixar has died from a heart attack. He is credited with the 2-D line drawing in Ratatouille's credits and was working on the new animated short to be released with WALL*E.
Legendary Disney Animator Ollie Johnston passes away at age 95 - (4/14/2008)
Disney Legend Ollie Johnston has passed away at the age of 95 in Sequim, Washington. Johnston was a legendary animator who worked at Disney from 1935 to 1978 contributing to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Cinderella, The Rescuers and many others. Johnston is the last of Walt Disney's famed Nine Old Men to pass away. His wife Marie passed away in 2005. He is survived by their two children, Rick and Ken
Charles Coburn, 62; horticulturist and topiarian - Los Angeles Times (2/8/2008)
The Los Angeles Times reports the passing of Charles Coburn, age 62. Coburn has created numerous massive scrub-based sculptures worldwide including at the Disney theme parks.
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Disney Background Painter Mack Dies at 90 - Animation Magazine (1/23/2008)
Animation Magazine reports Brice Harvey Mack, who painted backgrounds for such iconic Disney features as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Pinocchio, passed away on Jan. 2 in Hollywood, Calif. at the age of 90.

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Posted: 9/7/08

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