Pic: Roy E. Disney.
The nephew of Walt Disney, Roy E. Disney, has died at the age of 79.
A sad day for lovers of all things Disney, as one of the driving forces behind the hugely successful American animation house, dies from a battle with stomach cancer. Disney was the son of Roy O. Disney, brother to the company’s founder, Walt.
While Walt was the company’s creative genius, Roy E. Disney’s father played a vital role heading up the financial side of the studio. Roy E. Disney, after investing in the family business, became chairman of the studio’s animation division at the end of the last century. He oversaw the comeback of Walt Disney Studios, starting with “The Little Mermaid” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” and “The Lion King.”
Disney died at his Newport Beach home after a long battle with stomach cancer on Wednesday (16th December). He is survived by his second wife, Leslie DeMeuse Disney, a TV producer; daughters Abigail E. Disney and Susan Disney Lord; sons Roy P. and Timothy J. Disney; and 16 grandchildren.
Read more about his extraordinary life here .
