Ray Van de Warker - my 400th pick to be named a Disney Legend

Long-time Disneyland Employee Ray Van de Warker is my 400th pick to be named a Disney Legend. He has a window on Main street in Disneyland above Mad Hatter. The inscription reads: Ragin Ray’s – River Rafting Expeditions – Experienced Guides Since ’55 – Ray Van De Warker – Owner-Guide

Warker was one of the original Disneyland opening day Cast Members. The canoe races began in 1963 when Ray, foreman of the Indian War Canoes attraction, observed a guest canoe filled with athletes charging around the Rivers of America. Ray and Jungle Cruise foreman Bob Penfield debated how fast their teams could get around the river and a challenge was set forth between the Frontierland cast and Adventureland cast. That summer ignited a cast tradition that has spread to the Walt Disney World Resort, Toyko Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. He retired in 1996 after 41 years.

He was also a member of  the exclusive Club 55 (those who started in 1955 and stayed on at least 15 years). He was the second to the last “Club 55er” to retire from Disneyland. In total he worked for Disneyland for 41 years.

Van De Warker was manager of key control in the security division. (Disneyland, which now requires a 12,000-member peak season work force, has at least 1,500 doors "and for every door you've got 10 keys at least," he said.)

 In an interview with the LA Times, he said, he's "worked in just about everything there is to do here at Disneyland." He's been in attractions, merchandise, food and security. He also supervised the behind-the-scenes pony farm where all the park's horses are boarded, managed the Disneyland-owned Heidi Motel on Katella Avenue and managed Disneyland's since-demolished Gulf gasoline station at Katella and West Street.
"I was even Santa Claus one year for the employees' Christmas party," said Van De Warker, who was dubbed "Catfish Jones" by a fellow keel boat operator when they raced their boats for a segment of "The Mickey Mouse Club" filmed at the park.

The nickname stuck, he said, though only old-timers know him as Catfish Jones.
During his decades as a Disneyland cast member--as employees are called--Van De Warker says he never considered working anywhere else.

James R. Simon - my 399th pick to be named a Disney Legend

Cinematographer James R. Simon is my 399th pick to be chose as a Disney Legend. He is known for his work on Water Birds (1952), Bear Country (1953), The Vanishing Prairie (1954), Perri (1957), White Wilderness (1958) The Best of Walt Disney's True-Life Adventures (1975),  Jungle Cat (1960) and Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (1954).

James R. Simon created the myth about lemmings committing mass suicide for Disney's popular documentary film, "White Wilderness." Photographers in the 1950's and 1960's often staged events to obtain exciting footage. To shoot the lemming sequence, Simon purchased several from Inuit children "and brought them from Manitoba to Alberta - well outside their native habitat. They were placed on a snow-covered turntable and filmed from several angles, creating the appearance of many lemmings migrating together; they were then taken to a cliff and herded into the water. Disney has never admitted to knowing about Simon's actions".

American zoologist and photographer, graduate of the University of Wyoming. An expert ichthyologist, he was employed in 1936 as a ranger at Yellowstone National Park where he went on to catalogue fish species distribution (subsequently published in book format). He was appointed Wyoming State Fish Commissioner the following year.

Simon took on a new position in 1947 as director of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Park. He also perfected his skills as a cameraman in the course of his affiliation with the New York Zoological Society. This work soon sparked the interest of the Disney Organization and he was signed on as a cinematographer in 1952. For the next seven years, Simon collaborated on several award-winning True-Life documentaries, culminating in Jungle Cat (1960).

Sam Armstrong - my 398th pick to be named a Disney Legend

Sam Armstrong was a storyman and background artist who worked at Disney from 1934 to 1941. Armstrong was present during the glory years of Disney's most lavish feature productions - having worked on Snow White, Fantasia, Dumbo and Bambi.

Sam Armstrong joined the Disney Studios in the publicity department on June 6, 1934, and soon afterwards he transferred to the background department. He painted backgrounds for various shorts, like The Country Cousin and The Old Mill.

Walt clearly admired Armstrong's talent, as he was blessed with the position of supervising the backgrounds for the studio's first full-length feature, Snow White, for which he was responsible for "approximately two-thirds of the key backgrounds." For the promotional film, A Trip Through Walt Disney Studios, filmed in July 1937 by Bill Garity - Armstrong is briefly seen painting a watercolored background for an interior of the dwarf's cottage.

Michelle Stacy - my 397th pick to be named a Disney Legend

My 397th choice for the Disney Legend honor belongs ot Michelle Stacy, who voiced Penny in the 1977 Disney animated film, The Rescuers.

While portraying Penny, Stacy dressed as the animated little girl and posed for the drawings of Penny.

Jack Speirs - my 396th pick to be named a Disney Legend

Jack Speirs, who in his 25-year association with Walt Disney Studios wrote lead-ins that were used to introduce television shows, including "Disneyland" and "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color," is my 396th choice to given the Disney Legend honor.

Speirs also wrote dozens of animal-oriented scripts for Disney television and feature films, including "Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar" and "King of the Grizzlies," and the narration for "The Bears and I.

He found his way to Disney during the 1950s, and in 1954 approached Walt Disney with an idea to split the format of a proposed TV series into segments spotlighting the four primary realms of the soon-to-open Disneyland: Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. Disney liked the idea, and Speirs went on to write the show's introductions for the next 12 years.

"The secret in writing for [Disney] was to keep the dialogue simple and in character," Speirs once said.
"He seldom used fancy or uncommon words but wouldn't talk down to his viewers either."
Speirs also wrote lyrics for many Disney films.

Ken Berry - choice number 395 to be named a Disney Legend

His Disney roles include Frank Wilson in The Cat from Outer Space, Willoughby Whitfield in Herbie Rides Again, and the host of two episodes of The Mouse Factory--"Automobiles" and "Dancing". He was originally cast as Wilby Daniels in The Shaggy D.A. before Dean Jones was chosen. Berry is my 395th choice to be given the Disney Legend honor.

 

James Woods - my 394th pick to be named a Disney Legend

Actor James Woods holds the 394th spot on my Disney Legends wish list.

For Disney, he voiced Hades in the 1997 animated feature film Hercules, and reprized the role in most of his appearances, including the Kingdom Hearts games.. He also voiced Dr. Phillium Benedict in Recess: School's Out. Additionally, he played Bob Haldeman in Nixon and Jack Russell in Straight Talk.

Darla K Anderson - my 393rd pick to be named a Disney Legend

She produced the 2010 film Toy Story 3, which was nominated for the 2011 Academy Award for Best Picture and which won the 2011 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Previously, Anderson won a Golden Satellite Award for A Bug's Life, a BAFTA award for A Bug's Life and Monsters, Inc. and a Producer's Guild Award for Cars.

The 2008 Guinness Book of World Records lists Anderson as having the highest average movie gross for a producer: $221 million per movie, and in 2011 the Wall Street Journal listed a combined gross for the four movies she's produced of over $2 billion.

Before coming to Pixar in 1993, she worked as an executive producer at Angel Studios. The character Darla in Finding Nemo was created by the director and screenwriter Andrew Stanton to get back at her for playing practical jokes on him. On March 8, 2018, it was announced that after nearly 25 years, Anderson left Pixar to pursue other opportunities.


Filmography
Year Title Role
1995 Toy Story Digital Angel
1997 Geri's Game Special Thanks
1998 It's Tough to Be a Bug Executive Producer

A Bug's Life Producer
2001 Monsters, Inc.
2002 Mike's New Car Special Thanks
2003 Exploring the Reef
2006 Mater and the Ghostlight Executive Producer
Cars Producer
2007 Ratatouille Special Thanks
2009 Up
2010 Toy Story 3 Producer
2011 Hawaiian Vacation Special Thanks
Cars 2
2012 Brave
2013 Monsters University
2015 Sanjay's Super Team
The Good Dinosaur
2016 Finding Dory
2017 Cars 3
Coco Producer

Alvy Ray Smith - my 392nd pick to be named a Disney Legend

Alvy Ray Smith III is an American computer scientist who cofounded Lucasfilm's Computer Division, and Pixar, participating in the 1980s and 1990s expansion of computer animation into feature films. He is my 392nd choice to be named a Disney Legend.

With Ed Catmull, Smith was a founding member of the Lucasfilm Computer Division, which developed computer graphics software, including early renderer technology. As director of the Computer Graphics Project, Smith created and directed the "Genesis Demo" in The Wrath of Khan, and conceived and directed the short animated film The Adventures of Andre and Wally B., starring the animator John Lasseter for the first time.

Smith and Catmull co-founded Pixar in 1986 with financing from Steve Jobs. After the spinout from Lucasfilm of Pixar, he served on the board of directors and was executive vice president. According to the Steve Jobs biography iCon by Jeffrey S. Young and William L. Simon, Alvy Ray quit Pixar after a heated argument with Jobs over use of a whiteboard. It was an unwritten rule that none other than Jobs was allowed to use it, a rule Smith decided to break in front of everyone after Jobs went "total street bully" on him and they ended up screaming into each other's face "in full bull rage". Despite being the co-founder of Pixar, Young and Simon claim that the company has largely overlooked his part in company history since his departure. For example, there is no mention of Smith on the Pixar website.

Ralph Guggenheim is my 391st pick to be named a Disney Legend

Ralph Guggenheim is my 391st pick to be named a Disney Legend. He was hired by Lucasfilm and moved to California in 1980. During his time at Lucasfilm, Guggenheim developed EditDroid, which proved to be a revolutionary film-editing system. After his research lab at Lucasfilm was sold to Steve Jobs and renamed Pixar, Guggenheim continued to work in the world of graphics and animation. Guggenheim, a respected founder of Pixar, eventually became Vice President of Feature Animation and was a lead producer for Toy Story. Guggenheim left the company in 1997 after Disney forced Pixar to remove him as producer from Toy Story 2.

Samuel E Wright - my 390th choice to be named a Disney Legend

Actor Samuel E Wright is my 390th pick to be chosen as a Disney Legend. He is best known as the voice of Sebastian in Disney's The Little Mermaid, for which he provided the main vocals to "Under the Sea", which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Wright also played the part of Mufasa in the original cast of The Lion King on Broadway and voiced Kron the Iguanodon in Disney's 2000 CGI film Dinosaur. Wright has performed and recorded several songs for the Walt Disney animated film The Little Mermaid, as Sebastian the Crab, and is most known for the songs "Under the Sea", and "Kiss the Girl". He has voiced Sebastian in numerous other productions including the television show, The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning and Disney's House of Mouse.

Jack Elam - my 389th pick to be named a Disney Legend

Jack appeared in Disney films “Never a Dull Moment” (Ace Williams/1968), “The Wild Country” (Thompson/1970), “Hot Lead and Cold Feet” (Rattlesnake/1978), “The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again” (Big Mac/1979), as with Disney television episodes “Zorro” (Gomez), “Ride a Northbound House” (1969) and Disney Channel “Down the Long Hills” as Squires. He is my 389th pick to be named  a Disney Legend.

Mike Pereza Jr. - my 388th pick to be named a Disney Legend

Michael Peraza Jr. is a Disney art director, layout artist, and conceptual artist who has worked for Walt Disney Feature Animation (1978-1989), Walt Disney Television Animation (1987-1991), Disney Comics, Disney Interactive, WED, and Disney Fine Art Galleries. In 2014, he won the Friz Freleng Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Animation and in 2017 he and his wife were recogonized as Disneyana Legends. He is my 388th pick to be named a Disney Legend.

He currently designs for Walt Disney Imagineering creating concept art for new attractions and collectible artwork sold in Disney galleries around the world alongside his spouse, Patricia Peraza, a fellow Disney animator, and Master Artist.

Peraza has worked as a designer for major Hollywood studios along with commercial clients from McDonalds to Chevrolet and print media companies ranging from Southern Living to Disney Press.

His credits can be seen on many TV series as well as feature films while his design creations have been used in Disney Parks and exhibited in galleries around the globe.

Mike credits success to having the opportunity of working alongside many talented people in addition to outstanding instruction from studio veterans who really knew their stuff.

CGI training includes Photoshop, Lightwave, Maya, FIF, Illustrator, MOCHA, After Effects,VUE & Flash.

Filmography

Year       Film       Position

1981      The Fox and the Hound Story & Layout Artist

1982      The Watcher in the Woods           Visual Development

1982      Tron       Concept Artist

1983      Something Wicked This Way Comes         Concept Artist

1983      Mickey's Christmas Carol              Head of Layout & Concept Artist

1985      The Adventures of the Gummi Bears       Concept Artist & Character Design

1985      Return to Oz       Concept Artist

1985      The Black Cauldron          Concept Artist

1986      The Great Mouse Detective         Art Director & Concept Artist

1987      DuckTales            Art Director, Concept Artist, Key Layout Stylist - 65 Episodes

1988      Who Framed Roger Rabbit           Concept Artist & Visual Development

1989      Bubble Boogie   Director & Computer Animator

(1st Place Winner of Disney Studio Film Contest)

1989      The Little Mermaid          Art Director, Story & Character Design

1990      Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers       Concept Artist

1990      TaleSpin               Concept Artist, Computer Animator & Publicity Art

1990      DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp                Computer Animator

1991      Darkwing Duck Concept Artist & Character Designer

1991      The Little Engine That Could        Art Director, Character Designer & Animator

1991      Beauty and the Beast      Concept Artist & Story

1992      Aladdin                 Concept Artist & Story

1992      Goof Troop         Creator, Art Director, Concept Artist & Character Design

1999      Fantasia 2000    Concept Artist (Firebird segment)

2002      Return to Neverland       Visual Development

2002      The Proud Family             Art Director

2003      The Jungle Book 2            Art Director

2005      Tarzan 2               Art Direction & Concept Keys

2008      Tinkerbell Series               Visual Development

2010      Peraza Fine Arts                Founder and Owner

2012      Art in the Park   Disney Master Artist

2013      DuckTales Remastered Layout Artist

IMAGINEERING PROJECTS

    The Little Mermaid Ride Mural, Designer (Disney World)

    Be Our Guest Mural, Designer (Disney World)

    New Fantasyland & Dumbo Mural, Concept & Designer (Disney World)

    Cars Land Attractions, Concept & Designer (California Adventure)

    Castle, Concept & Designer (Shanghai Disneyland)

    Wonderland, Concept & Designer (Shanghai Disneyland)

    American Adventure Pavilion, Film Presentation (EPCOT)

Liam Dunn - my 387th choice to be named a Disney Legend.

Actor Liam Dunn is my 387th pick to given the Disney Legend honor.

He appeared in bit parts in several films.

He played Alonzo Hawk's doctor in Herbie Rides Again, Dr. Winslow in The World's Greatest Athlete, Dr. Sprague in Charley and the Angel and Dr. Morgan in Gus.

In Spring 1976, it is said Liam Dunn collapsed on the set of Disney's The Shaggy D.A., during the filming of the roller rink sequence, and died soon after on April 11, 1976, from emphysema in Granada Hills, California. John Fiedler was brought in to complete the role as the dog catcher. Though only 59 at his death, Dunn always looked much older, and was cast accordingly.

Eustace Lycett - my 386th pick to be named a Disney Legend

Special effects mast Eustace Lycett is my 386th choice to named a Disney Legend.

From his obit in the New York Times:


Eustace Lycett, whose work helping to create special effects for major Disney productions — including characters in “Mary Poppins” who walk on smoke, and seemingly empty suits of medieval armor engaged in combat in “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” — earned him a share in two Academy Awards, died on Nov. 16 at his home in Fullerton, Calif. He was 91.

A spokesman for Walt Disney Studios, Howard Green, said yesterday that company officials had not been notified of his death until this week.

During a 43-year career with Disney, starting in 1937, Mr. Lycett worked on more than 30 films, including “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Babes in Toyland,” “The Absent-Minded Professor,” “101 Dalmatians” and “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.”

In 1964, along with Peter Ellenshaw and Hamilton Luske, he won an Oscar for special visual effects for “Mary Poppins.” And in 1971, with Alan Maley and Danny Lee, he won another Oscar in the same category for “Bedknobs and Broomsticks.”

Mr. Lycett was a protégé of Ub Iwerks, a pioneer of animation and special effects who for many years was head of the Disney studio’s process laboratory. They and other technicians worked together in the late 1930s to design a complex version of what was called the multiplane camera, a device that revolutionized animation by bringing depth to what had been a rather flat image. Mr. Iwerks, who died in 1971, had designed a simpler multiplane camera.

His career there was not limited to the big screen. He helped design “Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln,” one of the most popular exhibits at the 1964-65 World’s Fair in New York, and “Rocket to the Moon,” a major attraction at Disneyland.

Jack Boyd - my 385th pick to be honored as a Disney Legend

Jack Boyd ffects animator at the Disney Studio, from 1939 to 1973, and again in 1981. He drew the Uncle Remus Sunday newspaper comic page from 1963 to 1972, and, as one of his projects, helped compile the Walt Disney Story film for the parks.

Filmography

Year     Film     Position

1946    Make Mine Music       Effects Animator

1947    Fun and Fancy Free     Effects Animator

1948    Melody Time   Effects Animator

1949    The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad      Effects Animator

1950    Cinderella        Effects Animator

1959    Sleeping Beauty          Effects Animator

1961    One Hundred and One Dalmatians    Effects Animator

1963    The Sword in the Stone          Effects Animator

1964    Mary Poppins Animator

1971    Bedknobs and Broomsticks    Animator

1981    The Fox and the Hound          Effects Animator

1983    Mickey's Christmas Carol        Effects Animator

1985    The Black Cauldron     Effects Animator