Roy Disney Dies

As we first reported on Twitter this afternoon, Roy Disney, nephew of Walt Disney who helped revolutionize the Walt Disney Studio’s animation unit, died on Wednesday in California. He had been battling stomach cancer for more than a year. He was 79 years old.

Disney served as a consultant to the company until his death. From 1984-2003, he was vice chairman of the board of directors of The Walt Disney Company and chairman of its animation department.

He resigned in ’03 citing “serious differences of opinion about the direction and style of management,” which later helped fuel an investor uprising that ended with the departure of Michael Eisner as chief executive.

“He was much more than a valued 56-year company veteran,” said Bob Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “Roy’s true passion and focus were preserving and building upon the amazing legacy of Disney animation that was started by his father and uncle. Roy’s commitment to the art of animation was unparalleled and will always remain his personal legacy and one of his greatest contributions to Disney’s past, present and future.”

John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, added: “I first met Roy when I was still an animation student at CalArts. Not only did I consider him a personal friend, but he was a great man who believed deeply in the art of animation. He put his heart and soul into preserving Disney’s legendary past, while helping to move the art of animation into the modern age by embracing new technology.”