Legendary Disney animator dies in Sequim

SEQUIM — Oliver “Ollie” Johnston, the man whose pencil brought Bambi, Snow White, Pinocchio and 101 Dalmatians to bright life, died of natural causes Monday in Sequim.

He was 95.

“He lived here almost a year to the day; we moved him up on April 15, 2007,” Mr. Johnston’s elder son, Rick, said Tuesday.

Mr. Johnston was a resident of Dungeness Courte, a long-term care home in Sequim.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Both of his children, Rick and Ken, have lived on nearby Blue Mountain since the late 1990s.

Like their father, they’re former residents of the Los Angeles suburb of La Cañada-Flintridge.

To the millions who wept and belly-laughed through Disney movies such as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1938), “Fantasia” (1942), “Peter Pan” (1953), “The Rescuers” (1977) and many others, Mr. Johnston was a frontiersman of the big screen.

A recipient of the National Medal of Arts, Mr. Johnston was the last surviving member of the group of animators Walt Disney himself called the Nine Old Men, though most were in their 20s when they began work in Disney’s studio. 

More in News

Margo Karler of Port Townsend looks up at the plaster covers protecting a tusk that was found by hikers on the beach near the Point Wilson lighthouse in March. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Fossil found in sandstone bluff at Fort Worden

State Parks, Burke museum developing plan for preservation

Ian’s Ride receives volunteer service award

Ian’s Ride has received a Washington State Volunteer Service Award… Continue reading

Boating coach Eric Lesch, at a whiteboard, explains sailing techniques to a youth sailboat class. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Teenagers learning boating skills through program

Nonprofit funded by grants, agencies and donations

Land trust successful with campaign fund

Public access expected to open this year

Mark Hodgson.
Hodgson plans to run for Port Angeles City Council

Schromen-Wawrin, who currently holds seat, won’t run again

Pet vaccination clinic set for Saturday in Port Townsend

Pet Helpers of Port Townsend will conduct a pet… Continue reading

Charter Review Commission to conduct town hall Monday

The Clallam County Charter Review Commission will conduct a… Continue reading

Alexander Hamilton.
Clallam deputies graduate from state training center

Corrections deputies Alexander Hamilton and Cameron Needham have graduated… Continue reading

Parker Brocious, 6, from Cedar Hills, Utah, studies tubs containing plankton, krill and other small ocean creatures used by the Port Townsend Marine Science Center for education purposes while on a road trip with his family on Tuesday at Fort Worden State Park. Parker’s father Tyler is at left. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Science education

Parker Brocious, 6, from Cedar Hills, Utah, studies tubs containing plankton, krill… Continue reading