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Ward Kimball

Ward joined the Disney animation staff in 1934. As one of Disney's "nine old men," Ward's contribution to the body of Disney animated film classics include the creation of Jiminy Cricket for "Pinocchio" and the animation of the crow sequence in "Dumbo". His career in television and shorts is equally distinguished. Ward retired in 1972 to become a world traveler. As a consultant to Walt Disney Imagineering, his design projects include World of Motion at Epcot Center and new attraction concepts for Disneyland. He is also a consultant for the Animation department. Ward was also well-known as the creator and leader of the world-famous jazz band, the Firehouse Five Plus Two. He has one of the largest collections of antique toys as well as old railroad toys from 1870, and operates his own full-size railroad of historic steam locomotives on his orange ranch in San Gabriel, California.

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[JackelopeBreeder]

Vaya con Dios, Ward. You brought delight and joy to billions around the world.

[NormsRevenge]

God Bless This Good Man and His Family ...

Jiminy Cricket, We're Gonna Miss Ya, Faithful Sidekick.

[GeneD]

One of a generation of masters, practically all of whom worked for Disney, many of whom trekked to Warners, all of whom made indelible characters -- all gone now:

Frank Tashlin,

Bob Clampett,

Isadore "Friz" Freleng,

Chuck Jones....

Tex Avery....well, he didn't work for Disney.

Ward Kimball, may you rest in peace.

(BTW, anyone who wants to learn about Disney cartooning in the formative years must read this. Incidentally, Walt's animators were good at the female form too -- they had to be to animate Snow White -- but not as good as Tex Avery. [Ignore the price; you can get it from AllDirect.com for $36.00.])

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Thanks for the laughs.