Donald Ross "Don" Lusk(October 28, 1913 – December 30, 2018)[1]was an Americananimatorand director.[2][3][4]
Donald R. "Don" Lusk | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 28, 1913 Burbank, California,U.S. |
| Died | December 30, 2018(aged 105) |
| Occupation(s) | Animator, director |
| Years active | 1933–1993 |
| Employer(s) | Walt Disney Animation Studios(1933–1961) Walter Lantz Productions(1960–1961) Hanna-Barbera(1960–1993) Bill Melendez Productions(1969-1977) Grantray-Lawrence Animation(1966) DePatie–Freleng Enterprises(1972) |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
editDonald Ross Lusk was born on October 28, 1913, inBurbank,a suburb ofLos Angeles,Californiato Perceval Knox Lusk and Louise Opie Ross Parrish, who were married in 1908 in California.[5]He served in theUnited States MarinesduringWorld War II.[6][7]
Career
editLusk was hired byThe Walt Disney Companyin 1933 as anInbetweener.He was 20 at the time.[8]His first film as ananimatorwas 1938'sFerdinand the Bulladaptedfrom 1936'sThe Story of Ferdinandby authorMunro Leaf.[9]He worked onPinocchio,Fantasia(The Nutcracker SuiteandThe Pastoral SymphonySegments),Bambi,Song of the South,Melody Time,So Dear to My Heart,The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad,Cinderella,Alice in Wonderland,Peter Pan,Lady and the Tramp,Sleeping BeautyandOne Hundred and One Dalmatians.[10][11]
Lusk left Disney in 1960, but continued to work as an animator during the 1960s and 1970s. During the early 1960s, he worked atWalter Lantz ProductionsunderJack Hannah's unit. Aside from animation, Lusk also directed multiple cartoon films and series, including thePeanutsTV specials and movies and for theHanna-Barberastudio. His work at the latter includedThe Flintstones,The Jetsons,Scooby-Doo,The Smurfs,andTom and Jerry.[12]
In the early 1990s, Lusk retired after a career which spanned some 60 years.[13]
Personal life and death
editLusk married Marge Lusk, who worked in the Personnel Department ofDisney Studiosin Burbank. The couple had two children. He died on December 30, 2018, inSan Clemente, California,aged 105.[1]Long time friend, Navah-Paskowitz Asner, announced the news of his death on social media.[8]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Credits | Characters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | Pinocchio | Animator | |
| Fantasia | Animator - Segments "The Nutcracker Suite"and"The Pastoral Symphony" | ||
| 1942 | Bambi | Animator | |
| 1946 | Song of the South | Animator | |
| 1948 | Melody Time | Character Animator | |
| 1949 | So Dear to My Heart | Animator | |
| The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad | Character Animator | ||
| 1950 | Cinderella | Character Animator | |
| 1951 | Alice in Wonderland | Character Animator | |
| 1952 | Lambert the Sheepish Lion(Short) | Animator | |
| Trick or Treat(Short) | Animator | ||
| 1953 | Peter Pan | Character Animator | |
| Ben and Me(Short) | Animator | ||
| 1955 | Lady and the Tramp | Character Animator | |
| 1959 | Sleeping Beauty | Character Animator | |
| 1954-1959 | The Magical World of Disney(TV Series) | Animator –5 Episodes | |
| 1961 | One Hundred and One Dalmatians | Character Animator | |
| 2002 | Mickey's House of Villains(Video) | Animator - Segment "Trick or Treat" |
References
edit- ^abBarlett, Rhett (December 31, 2018)."Don Lusk, Animator on 'Pinocchio,' 'Fantasia' and Charlie Brown Specials, Dies at 105".The Hollywood Reporter.Los Angeles:Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group (Valence Media).RetrievedDecember 31,2018.
- ^Amidi, Amid (December 31, 2018)."Don Lusk, Last Living Disney Animator Of Golden Age, Dies At 105".Cartoon Brew.RetrievedJune 7,2024.
- ^"Famed Disney Animator Don Lusk Dies at 105".Animation Magazine.RetrievedJune 7,2024.
- ^"Don Lusk, Last Surviving Disney Golden Age Animator, Passes at 105".Animation World Network.RetrievedJune 7,2024.
- ^California Department of Public Health, courtesy of vitalsearch-worldwide. Digital Images.
- ^name= "THR death
- ^ National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Wwii Draft Registration Cards For California, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 1089
- ^abPederson, Erik (December 31, 2018)."Don Lusk Dies: Disney Animator On 'Fantasia' & 'Bambi' Who Later Worked At Hanna-Barbera Was 105".Deadline Hollywood.United States:Penske Media Corporation.RetrievedJanuary 10,2019.
- ^Beck, Jerry(November 1, 2010)."Happy 97th Birthday, Don Lusk!".Cartoon Brew.United States: Cartoon Brew, LLC.RetrievedDecember 19,2013.
- ^Amidi, Amid (October 28, 2013)."Happy Birthday! Disney Animator Don Lusk Turns 100 Today!".Cartoon Brew.United States: Cartoon Brew, LLC.RetrievedNovember 21,2013.
- ^"Disney Animator Don Lusk Dies at 105 -".January 2, 2019.
- ^Sippell, Margeaux (December 31, 2018)."Don Lusk, Disney Animator, Dies at 105".Variety.Los Angeles:Variety Media, LLC (Penske Media Corporation).RetrievedJanuary 8,2019.
- ^Hulett, Steve (October 28, 2013)."Happy 100th!".The Animation Guild.Burbank, California:Blogger.RetrievedNovember 21,2013.