Herb Ryman Disney Legend at the Disney Legends Plaza
Image by Loren Javier
Herb Ryman (Imagineering)
Inducted 1990
In 1953, Walt Disney asked Herb Ryman to sketch an idea for an amusement park that would appeal to both children and adults. Over a single weekend, Herb took a small carbon pencil and illustrated Walt's dreams on paper. Within two years, those dreams were transformed into reality and Disneyland became the first theme park of its kind in the world.
Herb had an uncanny ability to intuit Walt's ideas into drawings. Perhaps, because, like Walt, he was a child at heart. Marty Sklar, president of Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) once said, "Herbie was like our own little Tinker Bell at WDI. He was always sprinkling pixie dust on everyone and he never grew up. He had a tremendous curiosity for everything and everybody."
Born June 28, 1910, in Vernon, Illinois, Herbert Dickens Ryman graduated from Chicago Art Institute, with honors, before moving to Hollywood in 1932. He worked as a storyboard illustrator at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio on such classics as "Mutiny on the Bounty," "David Copperfield," and "The Good Earth." The latter film, about China, inspired Herb to take a year off and travel the world, in 1937, recording his impressions in a sketchbook.
The next year, back in Los Angeles, Herb met Walt Disney for the first time at a gallery exhibit of his work. Walt was so impressed with the paintings on display that he invited Herb to join The Walt Disney Studios. While Herb went on to serve as an art director for such feature-length animated classics as "Fantasia" and "Dumbo," Disneyland became the centerpiece of his Disney career. Among his contributions were designs for Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle and New Orleans Square. In 1988, his 1964 painting of New Orleans Square was selected by the State Department for display at the U.S. Embassy in Paris. Herb also contributed concepts for the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, and for attractions featured at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair, including Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.
A prolific artist outside of Disney, Herb produced watercolors, oil paintings, acrylics and charcoal sketches, which were collected by such people as Mrs. William Guggenheim, Cecil B. DeMille, and John and Lionel Barrymore.
Herb retired in 1971, although he returned a few years later, as a full-time consultant sketching numerous conceptual drawings for EPCOT, including the American Adventure and the China pavilion. He also developed the popular Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World and the Meet the World attraction at Tokyo Disneyland.
On February 10, 1989, Herb Ryman died in Los Angeles, while working on ideas for Disneyland Paris, including a European version of Main Street, U.S.A.
The bio comes from the Official Disney Legends Home Page - legends.disney.go.com/legends/index
Joe Grant Disney Legend at the Disney Legends Plaza
Image by Loren Javier
Joe Grant (Animation)
Inducted 1992
Story artist Joe Grant's career at The Walt Disney Studios has come full circle. In 1940, he contributed to "Fantasia" and 50 years later, he fathered the flamingo with a yo-yo storyline for the "Carnival of the Animals" sequence featured in "Fantasia 2000," a continuation of the original animated classic.
In fact, Joe has enjoyed two separate careers at Disney. His first began in 1937, when he contributed to the story and character development of such animated classics as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "Pinocchio." Then in 1949, he left Disney to pursue his own artistic ventures until 1989, when he received an unexpected phone call from feature animation, asking if he would consult on "Beauty and the Beast."
Since then, Disney animated films, such as "Aladdin," "The Lion King" and "Mulan" have benefited from Joe's talent and humor. Walt Disney Feature Animation president Thomas Schumacher said, "Joe is both a creative force and a touchstone. Not only is he among the most prolific artists in feature animation, but he's always willing to let me run an idea by him and I always get an honest assessment. I depend on him as a sounding board for what is appealing, charming and entertaining."
Born in New York City on May 15, 1908, the son of a successful newspaper art editor, Joe was educated in the newsroom by his father. His first professional break came when he was hired as a staff illustrator for "The Los Angeles Record," sketching weekly cartoons and caricatures of Hollywood celebrities. His drawings caught the eye of Walt Disney, who hired Joe to design caricatures for "Mickey's Gala Premiere," in 1933.
Then one day, Walt invited Joe to join the Studio and he soon became one of its top writers and gagmen. He also founded the Character Model Department, where characters were designed and visuals and stories developed. As head of the department, it was often said that no model sheet was official until it bore the seal "O.K., J.G."
Along with his writing partner Dick Huemer, Joe accompanied Walt and Leopold Stokowski on a retreat to select music for "Fantasia" and later, led its story development. He also co-wrote "Dumbo," which was inspired by a children's book. During World War II, Joe contributed to many patriotic-themed shorts including the Academy Award-winning "Der Fuehrer's Face." Other early credits include, "The Reluctant Dragon," "Saludos Amigos," "Make Mine Music" and "Alice In Wonderland."
After his return, Joe contributed to the visual and character development of "Pocahontas," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Hercules" and worked on a variety of other Disney animated projects.
Joe Grant died on May 6, 2005, in Glendale, California.
The bio comes from the Official Disney Legends Home Page - legends.disney.go.com/legends/index
01heidi-leather-bag
Image by jakubik peter
www.peter-jakubik.com
Designer leather bag for Unicef´s beneficiary auction. Handmade from brown cow hide.
Heidi | Leather bag for Unicef
Image by jakubik peter
www.peter-jakubik.com
Designer leather bag for Unicef´s beneficiary auction. Handmade from brown cow hide.
Heidi | Leather bag for Unicef
Image by jakubik peter
www.peter-jakubik.com
Designer leather bag for Unicef´s beneficiary auction. Handmade from brown cow hide.
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