Glen Keane is one of Disney's foremost lead character animators. He is the son of Bil Keane, the creator and artist of the popular newspaper comic strip Family Circus. The character of "Billy" in the comic is based on both Glen and his older brother, Chris. Glen is the father of visual development artist Claire Keane. He joined Disney in 1974. On March 23, 2012, however, Glen Keane announced his resignation from Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Early life
Glen Keane was born in Abington, Pennsylvania on April 13, 1954, to Bill Keane and Thelma Keane. He is the middle of five children. At age five, Keane and his family moved to Paradise Valley, Arizona, where he was raised.
Keane developed an interest in art as a child while observing his father’s cartooning work. His interest in art held throughout his high school years, driving his decision in choosing a college art career over a football scholarship. After high school, Keane submitted his portfolio to the California Institute of the Arts and was accepted into the School of Film Graphics by mistake. In order to attend the institute, Keane stayed in Film Graphics; he eventually thrived in it.
During Keane’s time at the California Institute of the Arts, Disney artists such as Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, two of Disney’s senior Nine Old Men, visited the institute. Inspired by the visiting artists work, Keane made the decision to apply to Walt Disney Studios. His portfolio was reviewed by another of Disney’s Nine Old Men, Eric Larson. In September of 1974, after receiving some helpful pointers and turning in another portfolio, Keane was accepted into the program. He continued his mentorship with Larson and trained with other Disney artists. Around that time, in August of 1975, Keane married Linda Hesselroth.
In a presentation ceremony at the 2013 D23 Expo, Keane was officially inducted as a Disney Legend.[1]
Animation Credits
Year | Film | Position |
---|---|---|
1977 | The Rescuers | Character Animator: Bernard/Miss Bianca/Penny |
1977 | Pete's Dragon | Character Animator: Elliott |
1981 | The Fox and the Hound | Supervising Animator: The Bear |
1983 | Mickey's Christmas Carol | Animator: Willie the Giant |
1985 | The Black Cauldron | Character Animator: Eilonwy/Gurgi/Hen Wen |
1986 | The Great Mouse Detective | Supervising Animator: Ratigan/Fidget |
1988 | Oliver & Company | Supervising Animator: Sykes/Georgette/Fagin/Jenny Foxworth |
1989 | The Little Mermaid | Supervising Animator: Ariel |
1990 | The Rescuers Down Under | Supervising Animator: Marahute/Cody |
1991 | Beauty and the Beast | Supervising Animator: Beast |
1992 | Aladdin | Supervising Animator: Aladdin |
1995 | Pocahontas | Supervising Animator: Pocahontas |
1999 | Tarzan | Supervising Animator: Tarzan |
2002 | Treasure Planet | Supervising Animator: John Silver/Captain Amelia/Scroop |
2010 | Tangled | Directing Animator: Rapunzel |
References
External links
Gallery