Neil O’Brien, a Senior Broadcast Producer at NBC News, has long been fascinated by the world of animation. His latest book, After Disney, delves into the lives of key figures who shaped the animation industry after Walt Disney’s passing. The book examines the legacy left behind, the individuals who carried it forward, and the impact Disney’s absence had on the entertainment industry.
The Artistry of Glen Keane and the Influence of Dear Basketball
One of the central figures in O’Brien’s book is Glen Keane, a legendary animator whose work spans multiple decades. Keane was part of the first class of animation students at the California Institute of the Arts before joining Disney in the 1970s. He played a crucial role during the Disney Renaissance of the 1990s, bringing to life iconic characters such as Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Beast in Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin.
Keane eventually left Disney and went on to co-direct Dear Basketball, the Oscar-winning animated short film inspired by Kobe Bryant’s farewell poem. O’Brien highlights Keane’s journey, noting, “He was one of the key figures of my book,” Neil O’Brien shared on this week’s episode of Scoop B Radio.
“He left Disney more than a decade ago and then went on to make Dear Basketball.”
Keane’s work serves as an example of how former Disney animators continued to shape the animation industry in new and profound ways.
Ron Miller: A Leader in Transition
Another pivotal figure in After Disney is Ron Miller, Walt Disney’s son-in-law and former CEO of the Walt Disney Company. Miller led the company until 1984, when he was forced to resign. Reflecting on his research and interviews, O’Brien shared, “He passed in 2019. I spoke to him around 2010. At the time, the book had more of a narrow focus. But, he was generous with his time.”
Miller’s tenure was marked by a transition period for the company, and his departure left unanswered questions. To gain deeper insights, O’Brien reached out to Miller’s family. His son provided personal anecdotes, giving O’Brien a greater understanding of Miller’s post-Disney years. “After he left Disney in 1984 in what the family characterized as a forced resignation, he was a fairly private figure,” O’Brien noted. The book sheds light on Miller’s complex role within the company and his lasting influence on its direction.
The Aftermath of Walt Disney’s Passing
The death of Walt Disney in December 1966 sent shockwaves through the company he built. O’Brien recounts, “He had been thinking loosely; and the title of the book takes its name After Disney from a quote where Walt was talking to an interviewer in April 1966 and he talked about the company after Disney.” His passing left the company in a state of uncertainty, with some leaders even considering shutting down its animation division.
However, the resilience of Disney’s animators and executives ensured that the legacy continued. O’Brien reveals a startling moment when Walt Disney’s brother, Roy, contemplated closing the animation department. “If it had shut down at that point in late ’66, we probably still wouldn’t have gotten The Jungle Book,” O’Brien states. Without that decision, the course of animation history could have been drastically different, potentially preventing the emergence of studios like Pixar and DreamWorks.
How The Aristocats Saved Disney Animation
One of the lesser-known but pivotal moments in Disney’s history was the release of The Aristocats. Following The Jungle Book, it was a critical success that played a crucial role in keeping the animation department alive. “That movie basically gave them the lifeline to keep going,” O’Brien explains. The Aristocats not only reaffirmed the company’s commitment to animation but also laid the groundwork for future generations of animators.
Thanks to the continued success of these films, Disney reinvested in its animation training programs, partnering with the California Institute of the Arts to nurture new talent. This investment ultimately led to the Disney Renaissance, producing beloved classics such as The Lion King and Aladdin.
A Legacy That Continues to Evolve
Neil O’Brien’s After Disney presents a compelling narrative about the animation industry’s evolution following Walt Disney’s passing. Through detailed research and exclusive interviews, the book explores how key figures like Glen Keane and Ron Miller navigated an ever-changing landscape, ensuring that Disney’s legacy endured.
As O’Brien’s book reveals, the animation industry did not just survive after Walt Disney—it thrived, giving rise to some of the most influential studios and artists of our time. After Disney is an essential read for anyone interested in the rich history of animation and the people who carried the magic forward.
Watch Neil O’Brien’s full interview on Scoop B Radio by clicking here.
