Roy Edward Disney 1930-2009

[cinemabon]

At the age of 24, Roy entered the family business when he started out working for his Uncle Walt as an assistant editor on the nature films series that Disney began to show on its television shows. His father, Roy O Disney, Walt's brother, ran the business side of the family. Roy, Jr. continued to progress through the business (I am certain with Uncle Walt's help) until in 1967, shortly after Walt died, he was elected to Disney governing board. Roy E took over a great part on the board after his father passed away in 1971. However, all did not go well when the board later brought in Michael Eisener as executive CEO in 1984. Disney and Eisener clashed in many areas as Eisener focused on the business and Disney, in spirit of Walt, focused on the level of film quality and the art that Disney produced. Eisener won round one and began to build new parks and expand the Disney name into other realms of entertainment. The result is that Disney stock grew and the company expanded. However, ultimately, the board forced Eisener out and brought Roy Disney back. He revived the failing animation department and was personally responsible for Fantasia 2000 as a tribute to his uncle's vision. Unfortunately, Disney also fell out of favor and the board resumed its business-like approach to the company. Roy Disney died from complications that arose from cancer. The film studio that brought us the first animated feature film will long be remembered for that accomplishment thanks to the efforts of Roy Disney to resurrect his uncle's work and renewed the public's interest in animation.

Also read "Keys to the Kingdom" by Kim Masters; and "Disney Wars" by James Stewart (Stewart's book gives the animation revival credit to Eisener, although the correct account of that is now in dispute as Jeffery Katzenburg may have been more directly responsible). Finally, "Building a company - the story of Roy O Disney" by Bob Thomas about Roy E.'s father.