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Ward Kimball

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description Ward Kimball Overview

Ward Kimball was a prominent American animator during Disney’s Golden Age. He was one of the “Nine Old Men,” a group of influential animators who shaped classic Disney films. Known for his uniquely expressive and often absurd character designs, Kimball's work is particularly notable in films like Pinocchio and Fantasia. His style influenced generations of animators and remains appreciated by those interested in traditional animation techniques and Disney’s rich artistic history.

help Ward Kimball FAQ

Which Disney characters did Ward Kimball animate?

Ward Kimball was responsible for animating some of Disney's most famous characters, including Jiminy Cricket in *Pinocchio* and the Mad Hatter in *Alice in Wonderland*. He also animated the crows in *Dumbo* and the title character in *Peter Pan*.

Was Ward Kimball one of Disney's Nine Old Men?

Yes, Kimball was a core member of the 'Nine Old Men,' the legendary group of Walt Disney Studios animators who pioneered the art of character animation. His unique, often absurd style was highly valued by Walt Disney.

Did Ward Kimball work on any non-Disney projects?

Yes, Kimball created two Academy Award-winning independent short films, *Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom* (which was technically Disney but stylistically unique) and later formed his own studio, The Firehouse Five Plus Two. He was also heavily involved in creating Disney's space television episodes in the 1950s.

Was Ward Kimball a railroad enthusiast?

Kimball was an immense railroad hobbyist, a passion he shared with Walt Disney, which directly inspired the creation of Disneyland's railroad. Kimball even operated a full-sized backyard railroad at his home known as the Grizzly Flats Railroad.