RIP: Roy E. Disney (1930-2009)

[Brian in Mesa]

Roy E. Disney: He built up his family's legacy

BY SANDY COHEN
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Roy E. Disney, the nephew of Walt Disney whose behind-the-scenes influence on the Walt Disney Co. led to the departure of chief Michael Eisner, has died. He was 79.

The company announced that he died Wednesday in Newport Beach, Calif., after a bout with stomach cancer.

President and Chief Executive Bob Iger said, "Roy's true passion and focus were preserving and building upon the amazing legacy of Disney animation that was started by his father and uncle."

Although he generally stayed out of the spotlight, Roy Disney didn't hesitate to lead a successful campaign in 1984 to oust Walt Disney's son-in-law after concluding he was leading the company in the wrong direction. Nearly 20 years later, he launched another successful shareholders revolt, this time against Eisner, the man he'd helped bring in after the previous ouster.

Born in 1930, Roy Disney practically grew up with the company. His uncle Walt Disney and his father, Roy O. Disney, had co-founded the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio seven years before, later renaming it the Walt Disney Co.

Starting in the 1950s, Roy E. Disney worked in the family business as an editor, screenwriter and producer. Two short films he worked on were nominated for Academy Awards: 1959's "Mysteries of the Deep" and 2003's "Destino."

As an investor who grew his Disney stock into a billion-dollar fortune, he had a huge impact on the company's destiny. In 1984, dissatisfied with the leadership that Walt Disney's son-in-law Ron Miller was providing, Roy Disney resigned from the board of directors and sought investors to back a bid to install new management. His efforts resulted in the hiring of Eisner and Frank Wells, who led the company until Wells died in 1994.

During that time, Disney rose to become the company's vice chairman and chairman of its animation division, where he helped oversee the making of such hit films as 1994's "The Lion King."

 

[Chaplin]

Make no mistake, this is a HUGE loss for Disney. The hope is that John Lassiter can carry the torch since there are no high-profile Disneys left.

 

[Covert Rain]

Roy really has not been that involved with Disney over the years since resigning to help shareholders oust Eisner. He was sort of welcomed back by Iger in 2005 but was only a board member emeritus. Disney didn't attend board meetings and was no longer a significant shareholder. So, Disney has been running without him already.

He cared alot though about Disney and it's legacy. His contribution cannot be overlooked. He also largely approved of John Lassiter and felt John was exactly what Disney needed. He said:

"I am hopeful with Lassiter now at the helm. I look forward to bringing tissues to the movies to cry at the heartache of the characters, to rejoice in the triumph of the story, and to be the total sap I am while weeping because I'm blown away at the artistry. "

IMO, Disney could not be in better hands to continue the legacy that Walt started and Roy continued.

R.I.P Roy....say Hi to Walt for me.

 

[Chaplin]

Roy really has not been that involved with Disney over the years since resigning to help shareholders oust Eisner. He was sort of welcomed back by Iger in 2005 but was only a board member emeritus. Disney didn't attend board meetings and was no longer a significant shareholder. So, Disney has been running without him already.

He cared alot though about Disney and it's legacy. His contribution cannot be overlooked. He also largely approved of John Lassiter and felt John was exactly what Disney needed. He said:

"I am hopeful with Lassiter now at the helm. I look forward to bringing tissues to the movies to cry at the heartache of the characters, to rejoice in the triumph of the story, and to be the total sap I am while weeping because I'm blown away at the artistry. "

IMO, Disney could not be in better hands to continue the legacy that Walt started and Roy continued.

R.I.P Roy....say Hi to Walt for me.

Unfortunately, Bob Iger is head of the studio, and while he's thankfully no Michael Eisner, he's no Frank Wells or Walt Disney either.

And I know that he was more than a figurehead. I worked for Disney for several years. The thing is, since the company was founded there has been a Disney involved in some capacity. Now, that time is over.

 

[Covert Rain]

Unfortunately, Bob Iger is head of the studio, and while he's thankfully no Michael Eisner, he's no Frank Wells or Walt Disney either.

And I know that he was more than a figurehead. I worked for Disney for several years. The thing is, since the company was founded there has been a Disney involved in some capacity. Now, that time is over.

Roy had numerous contributions over the years and was a huge reason why IMO the Animation division carried on the Disney legacy. It wasn't until recently Roy was more of a figurehead and had no hand in day to day operations. He had no involvement in the last few years and Disney has been running without his day to day input for a few years now. He did not participate in board meetings or day to day operations. Making Roy "board member emeritus" was more of a "makeup" for what happened during the Eisner era after his resignation and move against Eisner.

My father-in-law attends the shareholder meetings and has been doing so for the last 35 years. He has a pretty good chunk of Disney stock and some good insight on the company and day to day operations. I never have had the pleasure but at one time or another he has gotten to meet many members of the board and has met Roy Disney.

Iger is no Walt or Frank...agreed. However, Lassiter has been given alot of latitude with Pixar and Disney Animation. I would say out of all the possibilities the Animation division couldn't be in better hands IMO. John Lassiter IMO is the closest thing we have to a "Disney". I hope he is around for years to come.

 

[Chaplin]

Iger is no Walt or Frank...agreed. However, Lassiter has been given alot of latitude with Pixar and Disney Animation. I would say out of all the possibilities the Animation division couldn't be in better hands IMO. John Lassiter IMO is the closest thing we have to a "Disney". I hope he is around for years to come.

Totally agree with you.

EDIT: And I just looked over my previous post and I meant to say I knew he was nothing more than a figurehead. My typo totally made me look like I was saying something totally different. Sorry about that.