Walt Disney Animation Studios Producer Passes Away

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Unfortunately, the Walt Disney family lost a beloved member of its animation department. Randy Fullmer was a long-time admired and successful Walt Disney Animation Studios Producer and Effects Animator. Throughout his career, Randy Fullmer made significant contributions to the animation industry, helping to bring memorable characters and stories to life. His work played a crucial role in shaping the success and impact of Walt Disney Animation Studios. He was 73.

Throughout his life, Randall Wyn Fullmer was a film producer known best for his work in animation. Primarily working at Walt Disney Animation Studios, he was involved in various successful and now iconic projects. As a producer, Fullmer collaborated with renowned directors like Ron Clements and John Musker, while contributing to the creation of beloved Disney animated films.

Some of his notable credits include working as an associate producer on The Little Mermaid (1989), as well as producing films like Aladdin (1992) and Mulan (1998). Fullmer also held positions such as a production manager on the critically acclaimed Beauty and the Beast (1991). Randy Fullmer worked on effects animation on Oliver & Company, The Little Mermaid, The Rescuers Down Under, and eventually was an artistic coordinator on The Lion King and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Fullmer was a graduate of CalArts, a school known for birthing animation genius, and ran his own business providing educational content for Sesame Street. He started what would be his 18-year-long career with Walt Disney Animation Studios working on Who Framed Roger Rabbit in 1987.

One of Randy Fullmer’s biggest successes was saving Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove. Disney animation honored his legacy with this tweet today,

In commemoration of Randy Fullmer’s life of many talents and interests, we share this iconic moment from The Emperor’s New Groove. Randy was producer for The Emperor’s New Groove and Chicken Little, and played a key role in guiding the studio through significant technological shifts in the ’90s. He bridged the artistic and technical departments in multiple films, including The Lion King, The Rescuers Down Under, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin.

Fullmer retired from animation after Chicken Little and produced a documentary, Restrung, about his new passion – making beautiful bass guitars and satisfying his artistic creativity in a new medium.

Mulan Actress Dead at 48 After Suicide Attempt

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The world lost a talented performer later today who played a huge role in connecting Walt Disney Pictures’ Mulan (1998) with China itself. Actress Coco Lee was born in Hong Kong and is best known for her singing, songwriting, and performance as the voice of the Disney Princess in Mandarin. The Mulan actress was unfortunately only 48 years old and passed away in the hospital after a suicide attempt.

Despite adoring fans and a successful career, Coco Lee struggled with depression. Lee attempted to take her life at her home on Sunday July 2, but failed and was rushed to the hospital. After she went into a coma, doctors efforts were unfortunately not able to save her and she passed away by Wednesday July 5.

Through social media, Coco Lee’s sisters Carol and Nancy shared this message,

With great sadness, we are here to break the most devastating news: CoCo had been suffering from depression for a few years but her condition deteriorated drastically over the last few months. Although CoCo sought professional help and did her best to fight depression, sadly that demon inside of her took the better of her.

This Chinese actress played Fa Mulan in the dubbed Mandarin version of Disney’s classic Mulan. Disney’s original version of Mulan starred Ming Na Wen as the lead actress for Mulan and Lea Salonga as her singing voice. In the Mandarin version, Coco Lee provided both.

Lee was also a beloved singer-songwriter in Hong Kong. She was the first Chinese American singer to perform at the Oscars for her song “A Love Before Time” from the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2001) soundtrack. The Mulan star was also featured on the soundtrack for the romantic comedy Runaway Bride (1999) with her song “Before I Fall in Love.” Coco Lee was also the first Chinese ambassador for Chanel.

coco lee mulan actress dead at 48 suicide disney

Her sisters continued,

As a family of CoCo, we are very grateful and honored to have such an excellent and outstanding sister. We are thankful to God for giving us such a kind angel. We know now she has gone to a happier place and no longer suffers from depression; we trust God has her best interest looked after!

Oscar-Nominated Disney Character Actor Dead at 81

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An Oscar-nominated and prolific character actor with several Disney roles to his credit during his 60-year career has died at the age of 81.

Michael Lerner, an American film and voice actor who played multiple roles in various film and television projects throughout a career that spanned six decades, has died, according to Entertainment Weekly. He was 81 years old.

During the course of his lengthy career, Lerner appeared in a wide range of films and television series. From The Brady Bunch and Harlem Nights to Entourage and Elf, Lerner played various characters, depending on what his roles called for. Lerner played the role of Jack Ruby in Ruby and Oswald (1978), Arnold Rothstein in Eight Men Out (1988), and the publisher Mr. Greenway in Elf (2003), starring Will Ferrell.

He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1991 film Barton Fink. 

For The Walt Disney Company, Lerner appeared in numerous films. He played the part of Weasel in Newsies (1992), the role of Edward Biderman in Disney’s Blank Check (1994), and Perry in A Pyromaniac’s Love Story (1995). In 1999, Lerner played the role of Mr. Channing in Disney’s My Favorite Martian, starring Christopher Lloyd and Jeff Daniels, and voiced the role of the Producer in Disney’s 101 Dalmatians II: Patch’s London Adventure (2003).

Michael Lerner was born in Brooklyn on June 22, 1941. He studied acting at Brooklyn College before earning his Master’s degree at the University of California at Berkeley. He also attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, where he studied theater on a Fullbright Scholarship.

Lerner’s nephew, Sam Lerner, made an announcement about his uncle’s death via Instagram.

“We lost a legend last night,” Sam Lerner wrote. “It’s hard to put into words how brilliant my Uncle Michael was and how influential he was to me. His stories always inspired me and made me fall in love with acting. He was the coolest, most confident, talented guy, and the fact that he was my blood will always make me feel special.”

Michael Lerner, 'Barton Fink' actor, dead at 81 | Fox News

Lerner continued, saying, “Everyone that knows him knows how insane he was — in the best way. I’m so lucky I got to spend so much time with him, and we’re all lucky we can continue to watch his work for the rest of time. RIP Michael, enjoy your unlimited Cuban cigars, comfy chairs, and endless movie marathon.”

“Harry Potter” & “Star Wars” Actor Dead at 56

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An English actor best known for his work in Harry Potter and Star Wars productions has died. He was 56.

On Thursday, March 16, Paul Grant reportedly collapsed outside King’s Cross Station in London and was found unresponsive. According to reports, the actor was declared brain dead at the scene and was transported to the hospital, where he began receiving life support care.

Grant played the role of an Ewok in the Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983), and in the Harry Potter franchise, he played the part of a goblin–specifically in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001). Grant is also credited with work on Jim Henson’s 1986 film Labyrinth, and he was also a stunt performer in Legend (1985), Labyrinth (1986), and Willow (1988).

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A spokesperson for a London ambulance service said the service was called to St. Pancras Station in London after 2:00 p.m. on March 16.

“We sent an ambulance crew and a medic in a response car,” the spokesperson explained. “We treated a man at the scene and took him to hospital as a priority.”

On Sunday, March 19, Grant was removed from life support and was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter.

“I’m heartbroken. No girl deserves their dad to be taken away,” Grant’s daughter Sophie Jayne Grant said in an interview. “He was so well known and loved [for his work]. He’s gone too soon.”

56-year-old English actor Paul Grant, who had roles in great franchise movies such as “Star Wars” and “Harry Potter” passes away after collapsing outside King’s Cross station in Londonhttps://t.co/Yy49YGPMp1

— DAILY SABAH (@DailySabah) March 21, 2023

Sophie Jayne Grant added in a statement: “I’m devastated. My dad was a legend in so many ways. He always brought a smile and laughter to everyone’s face. He would do anything for anyone and was a massive Arsenal fan. He was an actor, father, and grandad. He loved his daughters and son and his girlfriend Maria very much, as well as her kids, who were like children to him. My dad, I love you so much. Sleep tight.”

“Paul was the love of my life,” said Grant’s girlfriend Maria Dwyer. “The funniest man I know. He made my life complete. Life is never going to be the same without him.”

Oscar-Winner and Longtime Disney/Pixar Artist Ralph Eggleston Dead at 56

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When it comes to the beauty of filmmaking, fans quickly become familiar with the actors behind their favorite roles. They may also become big fans of those who direct and write those films. When it comes to animated movies, some of the biggest behind-the-scenes players are, of course, the animators. They create every amazing detail that we see on the screen. Even films that are completely computer-generated would be nothing without the animators creating the characters. Sadly, the animation world has lost a powerhouse creator who worked with both The Walt Disney Company and Pixar for over three decades.

You may not know the name Ralph Eggleston right off the top of your head, but he is behind some of Disney and Pixar’s most iconic films. In his more than 30 years with the two companies, he worked on a ton of incredible projects, including Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Lion King, Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Cars, Inside Out, and The Incredibles, just to name a few.

Unfortunately, we have learned that Eggleston has passed away at the age of 56.

Ralph Eggleston

According to Variety, which was one of the first to break the news of Eggleston’s death, the longtime art director died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

After news of Eggleston’s death broke, Pixar and those who worked with the talented filmmaker took to social media to share their heartbreak and honor Eggleston and his amazing contributions to the film world.