Hard day for the company Walt Disney.
On the same day that the Florida governor signed legislation regaining control of the Walt Disney World amusement park, the company announced the death of its longest-serving employee.
Getty Images/AFP
In fact, animator and screenwriter Burny Mattinson died Monday at the age of 87 in Canoga Park, California.
Mr. Mattinson began working at Disney in 1953 when he was just 18 years old. He has acted in many feature films over the decades including Lady, the Tramp and Beauty and the Beast, 100 Dalmatians, The Jungle Book, The Aristocats, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Beast. Lion King. More recently, he worked on the film Avalonia: a strange world, which was released in 2022.
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of beloved Disney legend, director and story artist Burny Mattinson. You made our world a happy place and inspired generations of artists with your heart, humor and storytelling. Thank you for your legacy, Burny. pic.twitter.com/FLTjxcfw5X
– Disney Animation (@DisneyAnimation) February 27, 2023
The animation studio veteran was set to receive an award in June that would mark his 70 years at Disney, a peak unmatched by any other employee at the American company.