(HorizonPost.com) – Legendary Disney animator Rolly Crump has died at the age of 93. Crump passed away at his home in Carlsbad, California, on March 12th. He was involved in the creation of some of the cartoon giant’s earliest hits including Peter Pan in 1953, Lady and the Tramp in 1955, and Sleeping Beauty in 1959. He was also instrumental in the creation of many attractions at Disney theme parks, including the famous Haunted Mansion.
Born in 1930 in Alhambra, California, his real name was Roland Fargo Crump. He fell in love with Disney at the age of 3 when he first saw the animation of the Three Little Pigs. He reportedly adopted the name Rolly after Walt Disney addressed him wrongly. “I started off as Roland, then I was Owen for a while, and then I became Orland, but of course, I would answer to anything he called me,” he later recalled.
Crump famously worked in construction on weekends to make ends meet when he first joined Disney in 1952. He soon climbed the Disney ladder however and in 1966, he designed the iconic clock tower that has since been replicated at Disneyland in Europe, Tokyo, and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Florida.
He retired in 1996 and was honored with a sign on Disneyland’s Main Street USA. Despite referring to himself as the worst designer ever hired by the company, he was officially designated a “Disney Legend” in 2004.
Jeff Heimbuch, who wrote a book about Crump’s work entitled It’s Kind Of A Cute Story, paid tribute to the late designer on a Facebook post the day after his death was confirmed by his son. “Rolly’s most notable work for The Walt Disney Company has profoundly impacted the theme park industry over the years. His designs contributed to the company’s most famous attractions, such as The Enchanted Tiki Room, the Haunted Mansion, it’s a small world, and more,” Heimbuch wrote.
He is survived by wife Marie Tocci, son Christopher, daughters Roxana and Theresa, and three grandchildren.
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