Wolfgang Reitherman

Wolfgang Reitherman (June 26, 1909 - May 22, 1985) was a famed Disney animator and one of Disney's Nine Old Men.

Related Topics:
June 26 - 1909 - May 22 - 1985 - Disney - Disney's Nine Old Men

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Born in Munich, Germany, Reitherman's family moved to America when he was a child. After attending Pasadena Junior College and briefly working as a draftsman for Douglas Aircraft, Reitherman returned to school at the Chouinard Art Institute, graduating in 1933.

Related Topics:
Munich - Germany - Pasadena Junior College - Douglas Aircraft - Chouinard Art Institute

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Reitherman began working for Disney in 1934, along with future Disney legends Ward Kimball and Milt Kahl. The three worked together on a number of classic Disney shorts, including "The Band Concert", "Music Land", and "Elmer Elephant." In 1937, Reitherman worked on the first Disney feature-length film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Related Topics:
1934 - Ward Kimball - Milt Kahl - The Band Concert - Music Land - Elmer Elephant - 1937 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

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All in all, Reitherman worked on various Disney feature films produced from 1940, until his retirement in 1980, from Pinocchio to The Fox and the Hound. Beginning with 1961's One Hundred and One Dalmatians "Woolie", as he was called by friends, served as Disney's chief animation director. He also served as a producer, sequence director, and starred as himself in a 1941 short entitled "The Reluctant Dragon". Using his power, all three of Wolfgang's sons provided voices for Disney characters, including Christopher Robin and Wart from The Sword in the Stone.

Related Topics:
1940 - 1980 - Pinocchio - The Fox and the Hound - 1961 - One Hundred and One Dalmatians - The Reluctant Dragon - Christopher Robin - Wart - The Sword in the Stone

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He was killed in a car accident in 1985, at the age of 75. In 1989, he was posthumously named a Disney Legend.

Related Topics:
1985 - 1989 - Disney Legend

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