Walt Disney Animation legend Dale Baer has passed away at the age of 70.
The beloved animator is a part of many classic Disney animated features. He also co-founded his studio, The Baer Animation Company. Baer won an Annie for outstanding achievement for character animation for his work on The Emperor’s New Groove in 2001 and the Winsor McCay Lifetime Achievement award in 2017.
Walt Disney Animation Studios put out a statement on social media:
“We are saddened by the passing of animator Dale Baer. He was the supervising animator of beloved characters including Yzma from The Emperor’s New Groove and Owl from Winnie the Pooh. Baer’s first role at Disney Animation was as a trainee on Robin Hood and over the course of his career, he animated on films such as The Lion King, Treasure Planet, Home on the Range, Meet the Robinsons and The Princess and the Frog. His work can also be seen in shorts like How to Hook Up Your Home Theater, Get a Horse! and Feast.
Having directly worked with six of Disney’s legendary Nine Old Me (Walt Disney’s trusted and pioneering team of animation giants), he carried on their legacy in his own work, and through the many aspiring animators he so generously mentored at the Studio and through his classes at CalArts and other institutions. He was a great friend and will be deeply missed.”
Baer is survived by his wife Teddy and daughters Nicole and Clarisse.
