LPWireObit: Jack Speirs Penned More Than 300 TV Intros For Walt Disney, Dead at 86

Jack Speirs, Veteran Disney Writer/Producer Who Penned More Than 300 TV Intros For Walt Disney and Wrote Numerous Animal Adventures for Film and Television, Dead at Age 86

Jack Speirs, the multitalented writer who put words in Walt Disney's mouth with over 300 introductions to the "Disneyland" and "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" to his credit, passed away on November 29th at his home in Lake Sherwood, California from natural causes. He was 86 years old. During his 25-year association with The Walt Disney Studios, Speirs also wrote dozens of animal-oriented programs for the popular Disney television anthology as well as screenplays for the features "Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar" and "King of the Grizzlies." Additionally, he wrote narration for the 1974 feature, "The Bears and I" and served as writer and producer for the 1977 featurette, "A Tale of Two Critters." He was also a member of the Directors Guild of America. A talented songwriter as well, Speirs wrote lyrics for several Disney projects and collaborated with top songwriters and composers from Hollywood and the world of country music.

Born in Coxs Mills, West Virginia, Speirs parlayed an eighth grade education, a love of nature and a passion for the English language into a successful career in radio, print, television and film. He began his writing career in radio as staff writer on such shows as "I Fly Anything" and "Defense Attorney," where he developed an ear for voices and speech patterns. He also served a stint as West Coast Editor for Peterson Publications' Boating Magazine.

During an assignment at Disney writing trailer copy and narration for Walt Disney's "True-Life Adventure" films in 1954, Speirs heard that Walt was launching a television series and proposed a format spotlighting the four realms of Disneyland -- Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. Walt liked the concept and "invited" Speirs to write the introduction to the first show. He went on to write more than 300 lead-ins for Walt Disney over the next 12 years. His words, delivered in Walt's warm, natural style, won the hearts of America's television audience and established the host as one of the medium's most popular personalities.

Speirs explained, "Both of us were nervous at first and I was scared. But as time went by, Walt grew comfortable with his TV role and even enjoyed it. The secret in writing for him was to keep the dialogue simple and in character. He seldom used fancy or uncommon words, but wouldn't talk down to his viewers either."

Speirs' television credits for Disney included such diverse programs as "Ida, the Offbeat Eagle," "Country Coyote Goes Hollywood," "Inside Outer Space," "Lefty, the Dingaling Lynx," "The Legend of El Blanco," "Monsters of the Deep," "The Nashville Coyote," "Track of the African Bongo," "Pablo and the Dancing Chihuahua," "The Wahoo Bobcat," "Joker, the Amiable Ocelot" and "The Feather Farm." His writing credits on Disney features include "Charlie the Lonesome Cougar," "King of the Grizzlies," "The Bears and I" and the featurette "A Tale of Two Critters" (which he also produced and directed).

In addition to his narrative work on Disney film and television projects, Speirs was a talented lyric writer who collaborated with some of Hollywood and Nashville's top composers. His Disney song credits include "Talkin' About Charlie" (from "Charlie the Lonesome Cougar"), "The Campfire is Home" (from "King of the Grizzlies"), "Travelin' On" (from "A Tale of Two Critters"), "Rocket Waltz" and "A Rocket Full of Dreams" (from "Inside Outer Space") and "Hangin' on the Fringe" (from "The Nashville Coyote"). For the television show "The Nashville Coyote," Speirs wrote seven original country songs and garnered an award from The Country Music Association.

Speirs retired from Disney in 1980 and spent the next several years actively involved in the battle to preserve Lake Sherwood and its natural surroundings. During his retirement years, he also served on the Ventura County Grand Jury and Lake Sherwood Community Association Board of Directors.

Speirs is survived by his wife of 62 years, Hazel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Entertainment Industry Foundation or a charity of the donor's choice.

--Posted December 12, 2002
Source: Buena Vista Pictures Marketing