Frank Thomas
Animator
In his 43-year history at Disney, Thomas, often working with old friend and collaborator Ollie Johnston, also animated the dancing penguins in "Mary Poppins" and Thumper teaching Bambi how to ice skate.
Walt Disney jokingly dubbed Thomas and other top animators his "Nine Old Men," derived from a description of the Supreme Court by President Franklin Roosevelt.
"Frank was a giant in our field, and he meant everything to me and to all of us who loved the art of animation," said John Lasseter, creative head of Pixar Animation Studios and a former Disney animator.
"Frank was one of my main men-tors and a tremendous influence on me," Lasseter said in a statement. "I feel very privileged to have known him."
Born in Santa Monica, Thomas graduated from Stanford University, where he majored in art, drew cartoons for the school newspaper and met classmate Johnston, forming a lifelong friendship.
The two started working at the Walt Disney Studios in 1934 and made animation history as members of the team that created "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," the first full-length animated feature.
Thomas then directed the animation of the title character in "Pinocchio" and himself drew the "I've Got No Strings" musical number.
His other credits include the wicked stepmother in "Cinderella," the Queen of Hearts in "Alice in Wonderland" and Captain Hook in "Peter Pan."
"Frank is an important part of the Disney legacy and one of the most amazing talents to ever work at the studio," said Michael Eisner, CEO of the Walt Disney Co.
Thomas and Johnston both retired in 1978 and went on to author several influential books on animation, includ-ing "Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life" and "The Disney Villain."
The pair were the subject of a 1995 documentary film "Frank and Ollie," written and directed by Theodore Thomas, the animator's son.
Thomas also played piano in the Dixieland jazz group the Firehouse Five Plus Two, formed by fellow animator Ward Kimball.
Thomas is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jeanette; three sons; and a daughter.
