Roy E Disney, 79, passed away today.

[Hmbldr]

A driving force that ushered in the new era of animation and forced the issues that brought in, and ultimately ended, the Eisner era.



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[Hmbldr]

Multi page photo gallery in LA Times online

http://xml.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-me-roy-disney-pictures,0,6648379.photogallery

 

[Hmbldr]

Roy Edward Disney dies at 79; nephew of Walt helped revive animation
In the 1980s after establishing financial independence, he paved the way for a new management team that brought back to life the art form that defined The Walt Disney Co.
1 2 next | single page Related
Roy E. Disney | 1930-2009
By James Bates and Dawn C. Chmielewski

December 16, 2009 | 11:09 a.m.
E-mail Print Share Text Size

Roy Edward Disney, the nephew of Walt Disney whose commitment to his uncle's creative spirit prompted him to mount revolts that led to the unseating of two of the company's chief executives and a revival of the studio's legendary animation unit, has died. He was 79. Disney, who had been battling cancer, died this morning, according to Clifford A. Miller, a spokesman for Disney's company Shamrock Holdings.

Disney toiled for years in the shadow of his famous uncle and his father, Roy O. Disney, who behind the scenes ran the business side of the Walt Disney Co. for his brother. But the quiet man in the cardigan sweaters would emerge as a forceful protector of family traditions.

"People always underestimated Roy," said Peter Schneider, the former president of Walt Disney Feature Animation. "You underestimate Roy at your peril, as many people have learned."

Disney devoted the first 20 years of his career to making nature films, among them "Pancho, A Dog of the Plains," "The Owl That Didn't Give A Hoot" and an Oscar-nominated short subject "Mysteries of the Deep." After the death of Walt in 1966 and Roy's father in 1971, the younger Disney was spurned in his efforts to take a larger role with the company. He finally quit in 1977, but remained on its board as a director, where he was largely a figurehead.

Full article...

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-roy-disney17-2009dec17,0,5129215.story

 

[Tinkh]

Aww God bless him

 

[rock_doctor]

I am so unhappy to hear this...now the vultures run to roost. Lets hope the Disney children are ready for a fight. Roy really did a lot to hold Disney Corp in the "same general direction" that Walt had wanted. When Eisner (now i am not against Eisner. I remember the hostile take over attempt very well and how close they came to actually getting Disney Corp. I do feel Disney is still Disney because of him. So i do give the man the credit he deserves...) forced out Roy from the animation division Disney animation imho went to junk. The movies are not too bad thanks to Pixar but the Disney animated shorts are horrible. Most are just amorphous shapes with mouths and eyes.... The quality of Disney animation use to be what other studios strived to create... I do hope with out his voice Disney continues in a proper direction, what ever that may be.

 

[Amy_Callaghan]

This is so sad, My condolences to the family.

 

[DisneyDreamer8]

 

[ebro]

Are there any offspring to pick up where Roy E. stopped or is this a time to see what those running the corporation do? And only hope that they carry on Walt's vision instead of their own agendas.

 

[bikinpunk]

Saw this just a minute ago on CNN and knew right away others would be here to comment.
Sad thing to see him go. He was a great man and did great things for Disney as a whole the last few years.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

So incredibly sad...words can't express...

 

[they!]

 

[Dan Murphy]

Very sad. I do so recall those very contentious years of him and Eisner. God speed.

 

[jordancej]

Very sad day for the Disney family...

 

[JoMarie]

 

[Eponine1]

God Bless

 

[princssdisnygina]

RIP Roy. May you, Walt and your father Roy always be watching over the beloved Disney name.

 

[lzimm13]

wow, how sad.

 

[Howellsy]

RIP Roy Condolences to the Disney family.

 

[jrriddle]

Goodbye Roy. You will be missed. Rest in Peace.

 

[lzimm13]

wow, how sad.