Artist Burny Mattinson, who took his first steps in the world of animation working for Walt Disney, has died at 87.
The animator, director, producer and story artist Burny Mattinson And died at the age of 87 on February 27, 2023.
The artist was the last of the Walt Disney Studios employees to have worked in the years when Walt Disney was still at the helm.
Burny Mattinson had decided to work in the world of animation when he was only 6 years old, after watching Pinocchio. The artist had stated: “As soon as I saw that movie, that was my dream – to work in this industry. So I worked every day, drawing“.
After completing high school, the future artist convinced his mother to accompany him to the Walt Disney Studios where he handed his portfolio to a security officer who, upon seeing the drawings, then called Ken Seiling, personnel manager.
Mattinson managed to get a job, albeit not an animator, but six months later he joined the team working on Lady and the Tramp.
On June 6, Burny would have celebrated 70 years of work within the studio.
Jennifer Lee of Walt Disney Animation Studios said in a press release: “Burny’s artistry, generosity, and love for Disney Animation and the generations of animators who have walked through our doors for seven decades have made us better – better artists, better technology, and best collaborators. And all of us who have had the honor of knowing and learning from him will ensure that what he left us continues“.
Don Hall, director of Raya and the Last Dragon, added: “For nearly 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with Burny Mattinson, from Winnie the Pooh to Big Hero 6 and most recently Strange World. I marveled at his art, enjoyed his good humor, and was captivated by his stories of Disney’s past. At 18 he pursued his dream of working for Walt Disney Animation Studios and, for nearly 70 years, he lived that dream every day, inspiring all of us who were lucky enough to follow in his footsteps. I love him very much“.
Among the films he has worked on are Lady and the Tramp, 101 Dalmatians, The Sword in the Stone, The Jungle Book, The Adventures of Bianca and Bernie. The artist was later part of the team that developed the stories of Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan and Mulan.
In 1959 and 1962, on the occasion of Sleeping Beauty and 101 Dalmatians, he was assigned as assistant animator to Marc Davis.
Mattinson then worked for 12 years for Eric Larson, then moving on to lead the animators on Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too, then being chosen to sign the storyboards of The Adventures of Bianca and Bernie.
Eric Goldberg, a close friend and colleague of Mattinson, said: “Burny was Disney Animation’s Renaissance Man. He did literally everything that could be done in the studio: the assistant animator, animator, story artist, producer and director of so many films that have left an indelible mark on our collective appreciation of the Disney ethos“.
Goldberg added that when he first started working for the studio on Aladdin he was able to appreciate Mattinson’s art and how his storyboards created unique atmospheres and stories: “The more I saw of his work, the more I was in awe of the magnitude of his talent. I value his joyful friendship and the enduring inspiration he has inspired in me and so many other artists. We will miss him. but we will not forget it“.
Burny directed 1983’s Mickey’s Christmas Carol which marked Mickey Mouse’s return after 30 years on the big screen and served as producer and co-director on Basil the Mouse Detective.
