John Hench

John Hench was an American Animator, storyboard artist, special effects artist, and art director who made major contributions to The Walt Disney Company for over six decades. He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on June 29, 1908, and passed away in Burbank, California, on February 5, 2004. With his unique talents and dedication to art, John Hench is considered one of the most outstanding animators of all time.

John Hench studied at the Art Students League of New York, Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Art Institute, and the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles. After graduation, Hench began his career as an animator and storyboard artist at the Disney Animation Studios. Over the years, he was given various crucial roles, which allowed him to work on classic animated films such as "Fantasia" (1940), "Cinderella" (1950), "Alice in Wonderland" (1951), and "Sleeping Beauty" (1959).

Moreover, Hench's role as Mickey Mouse's official portrait artist was iconic. Multiple unique portraits for significant milestones in the life of Mickey Mouse have been produced by John Hench. These include the mouse's official 25th, 50th, 60th, 70th, and 75th birthday portraits.

Known for his perfectionism and technical prowess, John Hench was an essential figure in creating special effects for Disney films. One of his most famous pieces of work was the giant, hydraulic squid in "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" (1954). This work earned him an Academy Award for Best Special Effects.

John Hench's personality trait can be described as incredibly focused and committed to his artwork. He always paid great attention to detail and strived for perfection. His hardworking spirit and drive to create have contributed significantly to his career's success, making him an inspiration to many other animators in the industry.

Before becoming a legend in the animation world, John Hench had to face a lot of challenges. He had to work hard to ensure that his art met the high standards that Disney demanded, as he continued creating throughout his illustrious career.

Aside from his impressive career, John Hench was a family man. He married his wife, Lowry, in 1937, and they were married for almost 67 years until Lowry's death in 2004. He had two children named Suzan and James Hench.

John Hench was closely linked to other notable names in the industry. He was presented with the Disney Legend award in 1990 by Michael Eisner. He also worked alongside Walt Disney himself, and the two were known for sharing a similar physical appearance.