John Hench

Animator

Birthday June 29, 1908

Birth Sign Cancer

Birthplace Cedar Rapids, IA

DEATH DATE Feb 5, 2004 (95)

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About

Animator, storyboard artist, special effects artist, and art director who worked for The Walt Disney Company for six decades. He was Mickey Mouse's official portrait artist and was responsible for the mouse's official 25th, 50th, 60th, 70th, and 75th birthday portraits.

Before Fame

He studied at several art schools, including the Art Students League of New York, the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Art Institute, and the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles.

Trivia

He helped to build the giant, hydraulic squid in "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." His work on this film earned him an Academy Award for Best Special Effects.

Family Life

He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and married his wife, Lowry, in 1937. He not only worked for Walt Disney, but also resembled Disney so much that he was often mistaken for him.

Associated With

He was presented with the Disney Legend award in 1990 by Michael Eisner.