LOS ANGELES -- LaVerne Harding, the first and for many years the only woman animator in Hollywood, has died at her home. She was 79.
In 1932, Harding, who died Tuesday, was a student at Chouinard Institute when she was encouraged to show her work to Walter Lantz at Universal Studios. He hired her first as an 'inker' (one who traces an animator's drawings onto acetate) and then as an animator's assistant.
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In 1934 she was made a full-fledged animator and held that job for 26 years, helping give life to the antics of Woody Woodpecker, Andy Panda, Chilly Willy and others.
From 1960 through 1974 she worked for various television animation houses, and in 1980 was awarded the International Animated Film Association's highest award.
