Disney animator of The Little Mermaid and The Lion King, Ann Sullivan, has died of Covid-19.
The classic animator, who is credited with drawing classics like The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Hercules, Tarzan, Lilo and Stich and Home on the Range, passed away in a nursing home aged 91.
Tributes have been flooding in to the trailblazing artist who took on the challenge late in her career of changing over to computerised animation production.
She died in a Los Angeles nursing home, specifically for people who worked in the media world, where two others have also died of Covid-19.
Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, the creator landed a job at Walt Disney in the animation paint lab in the early 1950s, after studying at the Art Center in Pasadena.
Speaking to online entertainment site Deadline, her daughter said: “Her whole life, she was late for everything.
“She was fastidious about her appearance and insisted that she wouldn’t leave her room unless her ‘eyebrows and lipstick’ were on. Ann loved Casino Day at (her home) but wasn’t a big fan of bingo!”
“This past Friday was Ann’s 91st birthday.
“Throughout the day, the incredible MPTF staff helped her connect with family and friends through Facetime so everyone could express their love and admiration for her.
“My mom had a great sense of humor, was extremely positive, and touched everyone who was lucky enough to meet her.
“She loved to have a good time.”
