Comments on: Ollie Johnston, last of Walt’s Nine Old Men, Disney Animator dead at 95

By: Caroline

Caroline — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:56:43 +0000

Hello,

Oh my Gosh, Victoria, I remember those days. I was there with you and your family riding on the E.Marie. Wow, small world. Our dads working on the railroad with Ollie and the rest of the men. I was so upset to hear about Ollie’s Passing. I have such memories of Julian and the Caboose. I got to see Ollie at Book Signings and shows but it had been awhile. I look back at the pictures I will always remember the fun times. My prayers are with Ollie’s family, your dad was a great man and loved by many.

By: Paulo Martini

Paulo Martini — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:41:43 +0000

Jon, thanks a lot for mentioning my blog on The Disney Blog – one of my daily stops. :-)

I think everybody made very clear aour fellings and sorrow towards Ollie and his family. I am a humble animator apprentice, always studying animation history, and the most amazing thing about Ollie is how everyone talks about how wonderful, tender guy he was, even before his great animation talent.

It’s sad for me that I didn’t have the chance to meet him in person, but luckly his work will live forever.

Godspeed, Ollie, and thanks! :-)

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:58:21 +0000

If you’re still collection tributes, I just posted one on my blog. http://markcarstairs.blogspot.com/2008/04/ollie-johnston-1912-2008.html

By: Mike Peraza

Mike Peraza — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:06:54 +0000

I was lucky enough to meet Ollie (and Frank) back in 1973 when I first came out to Cal Arts for the summer and then again when I was fortunate enough to get a job at Disney animation in the late 1970s.

Ollie like the other Disney veterans never got tired of helping us newbies with our drawings. Teaching us to see the character within before concentrating too much on what was on the outside. I remember running into him regularly downstairs and he never minded my goofy questions while being patient and kind with his answers.

He like Don Griffith, could take your crude attempts at drawing and place a sheet over it and before you knew it, made your mediocre attempt actually look pretty good. You learned a great deal from Ollie and his generation, not just the art of animation, but the heart of animation.

By: Victoria (Pennick) Yancey

Victoria (Pennick) Yancey — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:15:07 +0000

The others have said it already – the world has lost a great man. Some of my fondest memories growing up were days spent in Julian with him and his family, toodling around on the train. Such a giving person, gentle-spoken, caring… he will always be remembered with affection. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family ~

By: Walt Disney Studios honors Ollie Johnston 1912-2008 | The Disney Blog

Walt Disney Studios honors Ollie Johnston 1912-2008 | The Disney Blog — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:33:13 +0000

[...] Previously: List of online tributes to Ollie Johnston, Legendary Disney Animator. [...]

By: londie benson

londie benson — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:44:27 +0000

The world has lost a pioneer, a master showman, a mentor and a wonderful artist. Thanks Ollie, for inspiring me all my life to be a better artist. My art started with a love of the work of the Disney Nine. We promise to use the wonderment you gave us, the joy you taught us to share, and the way of life you chose to live. Thank You!

By: Ken Pellman

Ken Pellman — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:05:40 +0000

It is one of those days that I knew would come, but I didn’t want to think about it.

He leaves behind an amazing legacy and hundreds of millions of people entertained, artists inspired, and smiling faces.

Thanks, Ollie.

Hey, add to that railroad Walt and the others have been working on. I look forward to riding it, but hope I live as long as you did.

By: Larry Levine

Larry Levine — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:19:46 +0000

Rest in Peace, Ollie.

The best tribute I can think of is for everyone to watch the “Frank & Ollie” DVD.