Life and Times of Ward Kimball: Maverick of Disney Animation

Ward Kimball, a lead Disney animator, was a key figure in the development of animation at the Disney Studios. He worked on characters such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, the Cheshire Cat, and the Mad Hatter. Kimball established a highly graphic, idiosyncratic approach to animation alongside the studio's more recognizable storybook realism. He was the only animator to run his own in-studio production team largely outside of Walt Disney's direction. In the 1950s and 1960s, he emerged as a director and producer of his own animation, while remaining inside Disney's studio. Kimball's work was praised for its artistic and technical innovation, and he received multiple Academy Award nominations and two awards.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2018
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

In the realm of animation at the Disney Studios, Ward Kimball (1914-2002) emerged as a pivotal figure, surpassing even the legendary Walt Disney in his significance. Kimball, who held a close friendship with Disney, played a crucial role in shaping the studio's animation legacy.

This captivating cradle-to-grave biography, penned by award-winning author Todd James Pierce, delves into the life of Ward Kimball, a prominent Disney animator renowned for his contributions to iconic characters like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, the Cheshire Cat, and the Mad Hatter. Through unpublished excerpts from Kimball's personal writings, exclusive interviews, and new information gathered through interviews conducted by the author, Pierce paints a comprehensive portrait of this influential animator, arguably the most influential of the 20th century.

In addition to his pivotal role in creating timeless classics such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Pinocchio, from the late 1940s to the early 1970s, Kimball established a highly graphic and idiosyncratic approach to animation alongside Disney's more recognizable storybook realism. His unique style set him apart, making him the sole animator to lead his in-studio production team largely independent of Walt Disney's direction. During the 1950s and 1960s, Kimball ventured into directing and producing his own animation, all while remaining within the confines of Disney's studio.

Through his work, Kimball played a significant role in developing nonfiction animation programs that garnered recognition from members of Congress. These programs were seen as paving the way for NASA's achievements. Kimball's artistic vision extended beyond conventional animation, embracing high art and graphic design as means of creating new animated forms. This led to the creation of films that received multiple Academy Award nominations and two awards.

Throughout his life, Kimball remained a maverick animator, an artist who profoundly shaped the field of American animation. He was a visionary who sought to expand the boundaries of animation, pushing the limits of creativity and innovation. Ward Kimball's legacy continues to inspire and influence generations of animators, cementing his place as a true pioneer in the world of animation.

Weight: 636g
Dimension: 163 x 237 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496820969