Animator Ollie Johnston dead at 95

BURBANK, Calif., April 15 (UPI) -- Famed Hollywood animator Ollie Johnston has died of natural causes at a long-term care facility in Sequim, Wash., Walt Disney Studios said Tuesday.

Johnston, the last surviving member of Walt Disney's group of animation pioneers known as the "Nine Old Men," died Monday at the age of 95.

During his 43-year career with Disney, the California native worked on classic films such as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Pinocchio," "Fantasia," "Song of the South," "Cinderella," "Alice in Wonderland," "Peter Pan," "Lady and the Tramp," "Sleeping Beauty," "Sword in the Stone," "Mary Poppins," "The Jungle Book," "Robin Hood," "The Rescuers" and "The Fox and the Hound."

Johnston, in collaboration with his lifelong friend and colleague Frank Thomas, also authored the books "Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life," "Too Funny for Words," "Bambi: The Story and the Film" and "The Disney Villain."

He was honored by the studio in 1989 with a Disney Legends Award.

Ollie Johnston is survived by two sons, Ken and Rick. His wife of 63 years, Marie, died in May 2005.

Funeral plans for Ollie Johnston are to be private.