Didier Ghez, whose books on the people who helped make the Walt Disney Company so magical, are some of the favorites in my collection, will be honored this February by the Annie Awards (awarded by ASIFA-Hollywood) for his contribution to their industry. The Annie Awards are like the Oscars, but for the Animation industry.
Ghez will be presented with the June Foray Award, which is given to those who make a significant and benevolent or charitable impact on the art and industry of animation. It’s a much deserved award for someone who has contributed so much to our knowledge and understanding of the people and the craft.
“There is no honor that could mean more to me and no award that could excite me more that this one,” said Ghez. “And of course, I would not have gotten it if it weren’t for all the animation historians who helped me tremendously throughout the years and who carry on supporting me today.”
Among his many contributions, Ghez’s is editor of the “Walt’s People” series which features extensive interviews with people who knew and worked along side Walt Disney. His other popular series “They Drew as they Pleased” focuses on the hidden, usually previously unpublished, art from Disney’s classic animators. He also has a very well done book on the creation of Disneyland Paris.
While some of his books are out of print, you can find used and new books from Didier Ghez on Amazon.
I first got to know Ghez through his excellent Disney History blog and his exhaustive list of Disney books. He’s definitely deserving of this honor.
(Photo from D23 Expo 2017. Courtesy Disney/Image Group LA)