Ann Sullivan (animator)

Ann Sullivan (April 10, 1929 – April 13, 2020) was an American animator, who primarily worked for Disney Animation.[1][2]

Ann Sullivan
Born(1929-04-10)April 10, 1929
Fargo, North Dakota, U.S.
DiedApril 13, 2020(2020-04-13) (aged 91)
Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationAnimator
Years active1950s–2004
EmployerWalt Disney Animation Studios

Early life and education

Born Sara Ann McNeese in Fargo, North Dakota, to Thomas and Helen (Kossick) McNeese. Thomas was an accountant, and Helen was a stenographer. She went to a Catholic school and then to North Dakota State University.[3]

She followed her sister to California and enrolled at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena.

Career

Upon graduating in the 1950s, she began working in the animation paint lab of Disney Studios on films, including Peter Pan.[3] Later, she took a leave of absence to raise her four children. In 1973, she joined Hanna-Barbera.[1]

Sullivan returned to Disney around 1987, animating such films as Oliver & Company (1988), The Little Mermaid (1989) and The Prince and the Pauper (1990). In the 1990s, she painted cels for The Lion King (1994), Pocahontas (1995), Hercules (1997), Tarzan and Fantasia 2000 (both 1999). In the 2000s, she worked on The Emperor's New Groove (2000), Lilo & Stitch and Treasure Planet (both 2002).[2]

Personal life

In the early 1950s she married Kevin Sullivan. The couple had four children, and divorced in the 1970s.[3] Sullivan was an avid painter. She taught art to children in the neighborhood of La Mirada, California where the family lived.[3]

Retirement and death

Sullivan spent her remaining years residing at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital, where she died of complications from COVID-19 on April 13, 2020, three days after her 91st birthday. She left behind four children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.[1]

References
  1. Kilkenny, Katie (April 13, 2020). "Ann Sullivan, Disney Animator Behind 'The Little Mermaid' and 'The Lion King,' Dies at 91". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  2. Robb, David (April 13, 2020). "Ann Sullivan, Longtime Disney Animator, Is Third Coronavirus Death At Motion Picture Home Facility". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  3. Slotnik, Daniel E. (2020-04-21). "Ann Sullivan, Animator of Disney Hits, Dies at 91". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
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