Ward Kimball
Biography
Ward Walrath Kimball was an American animator, director, jazz trombonist, and bandleader born on March 4, 1914, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was employed by Walt Disney Animation Studios as part of Walt Disney main team of animators, known collectively as Disney Nine Old Men. Recognized as a brilliant draftsman who preferred comical characters over realistic human designs, Kimball animated easily and sought to do things differently. Walt Disney called him a genius in the book The Story Of Walt Disney, noting that his efforts stood out as especially unique among many talented animators. Kimball created several classic characters, including the crows in Dumbo, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, the Mad Hatter, and the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, the mice and Lucifer the cat from Cinderella, and Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio. He also animated the famous Three Caballeros musical number. Kimball died on July 8, 2002.
Career overview
Ward Walrath Kimball was an American animator employed by Walt Disney Animation Studios. Born on March 4, 1914, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he became part of Walt Disney's main team of animators, who were known collectively as Disney's Nine Old Men. Kimball was also recognized as a jazz trombonist and bandleader.
While Kimball was a brilliant draftsman, he preferred to work on comical characters rather than realistic human designs. Animating came easily to him, and he was constantly looking to do things differently. Because of this, Walt Disney called Ward a genius in the book The Story Of Walt Disney. While there were many talented animators at Disney, Ward's efforts stand out as especially unique.
Kimball created several classic Disney characters, including the Crows in Dumbo; Tweedledum and Tweedledee, the Mad Hatter, and the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland; the Mice and Lucifer the Cat from Cinderella; and Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio. He also animated the famous Three Caballeros musical number. Kimball passed away on July 8, 2002, at the age of 88 in Los Angeles.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
102 titles- Mickey: The Story of a Mouse (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- Apollo: Missions to the Moon (2019) as Self - Disney Animator (archive footage)
- Waking Sleeping Beauty (2009) as Self (archive footage)
- The Making of 'Pinocchio': No Strings Attached (2009) as Self (Archive Footage)
- The Pixar Story (2007) as Ward Kimball (archive footage)
- From Walt's Table: A Tribute to Disney's Nine Old Men (2005) as Self (Archive Footage)
- From Rags to Riches: The Making of Cinderella (2005) as Self (archive footage)
- The Cinderella That Almost Was (2005) as Self (archive footage)
- Walt Disney's Fables - Vol.6 (2004) as Ward Kimball (archive footage) (uncredited)
- The Fantasia Legacy: The Concert Feature (2000) as Self
- A Wish Came True: The Making of 'Pinocchio' (2000) as Himself
- The Story Behind Walt Disney's 'Fun and Fancy Free' (1997) as Self
- Pinocchio: The Making of a Masterpiece (1993) as Self
- It All Started with a Mouse: The Disney Story (1989) as Self
- The Wizard of Speed and Time (1989) as The IRS Chief
- Roger Rabbit and the Secrets of Toon Town (1988) as Self – Interviewee
- DTV: Rock, Rhythm & Blues (1984) Director
- Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life (1981) as Self
- From Fantasia to Fantasyland (1978) as self
- The Mouse Factory (1972) Creator
- Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) Animation Director
- Dad... Can I Borrow the Car? (1970) Producer
- Dad... Can I Borrow the Car? (1970) Director
- It's Tough to Be a Bird (1969) as Bird Fancier
- It's Tough to Be a Bird (1969) Director
- It's Tough to Be a Bird (1969) Writer
- It's Tough to Be a Bird (1969) Producer
- The Mickey Mouse Anniversary Show (1968) Director
- Pacifically Peeking (1968) Animation
- Escalation (1968) Director
- Scrooge McDuck and Money (1967) Animation
- A Salute to Alaska (1967) Animation Director
- Mary Poppins (1964) Animation
- Fly With Von Drake (1963) Animation
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- Babes in Toyland (1961) Writer
- Disneyland '59 (1959) as Self
- Eyes in Outer Space (1959) Director
- Eyes in Outer Space (1959) Producer
- Eyes in Outer Space (1959) Writer
- Mars and Beyond (1957) Director
- Walt Disney's Where Do the Stories Come From? (1956) as Self
- Man in Space (1955) as Self
- Man in Space (1955) Director
- Man in Space (1955) Writer
- Man in Space (1955) Producer
- Man and the Moon (1955) as Self (uncredited)
- Man and the Moon (1955) Director
- Man and the Moon (1955) Producer
- Man and the Moon (1955) Writer
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) Director
- The Disneyland Story (1954) as Self
- Peter Pan (1953) Animation
- Peter Pan (1953) Animation Director
- Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom (1953) Director
- Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom (1953) Animation
- Melody (1953) Director
- Melody (1953) Animation
- Alice in Wonderland (1951) Animation
- Operation Wonderland (1951) as Self
- Cinderella (1950) Animation Director
- One Hour in Wonderland (1950) as Self - Firehouse Five Plus Two
- The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949) Animation
- The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949) Animation Director
- Melody Time (1948) Animation
- Pecos Bill (1948) Animation
- Fun and Fancy Free (1947) Animation Director
- Willie the Operatic Whale (1946) Animation
- Peter and the Wolf (1946) Animation
- Hockey Homicide (1945) Animation
- The Three Caballeros (1944) Animation
- The Pelican and the Snipe (1944) Animation
- Chicken Little (1943) Animation
- Reason and Emotion (1943) Animation
- Education for Death: The Making of the Nazi (1943) Animation
- The Spirit of '43 (1943) Animation
- Victory Vehicles (1943) Animation
- How to Play Baseball (1942) Animation
- Dumbo (1941) Animation Director
- The Reluctant Dragon (1941) as Ward Kimball
- The Reluctant Dragon (1941) Animation
- The Little Whirlwind (1941) Animation
- The Nifty Nineties (1941) as Ward (voice) (uncredited)
- The Nifty Nineties (1941) Animation
- Pinocchio (1940) Animation
- Pinocchio (1940) Animation Director
- Fantasia (1940) Animation
- The Autograph Hound (1939) Animation
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938) Animation
- Ferdinand the Bull (1938) Animation
- Mother Goose Goes Hollywood (1938) Animation
- Woodland Café (1937) Animation
- Toby Tortoise Returns (1936) Animation
- More Kittens (1936) Animation
- Elmer Elephant (1936) Animation Production Assistant
- The Tortoise and the Hare (1935) Animation Production Assistant
- Pluto's Judgement Day (1935) Animation
- The Wise Little Hen (1934) Animation
- The Goddess of Spring (1934) Animation Production Assistant
- The Hot Choc-late Soldiers (1934) Animation Production Assistant
- Orphan's Benefit (1934) Animation
- Mickey Plays Papa (1934) Animation Production Assistant
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Ward Kimball best known for?
Ward Kimball is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Cuckoo (2012), The Mouse Factory (1972), Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971), Mary Poppins (1964).
When and where was Ward Kimball born?
Ward Kimball was born on March 4, 1914 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. They passed away on July 8, 2002.
How many credits does Ward Kimball have?
Ward Kimball has accumulated over 102 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1934 to 2022.
What is Ward Kimball's background in cinema and television?
Ward Walrath Kimball was an American animator, director, jazz trombonist, and bandleader born on March 4, 1914, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was employed by Walt Disney Animation Studios as part of Walt Disney main team of animators, known collectively as Disney Nine Old Men. Recognized as a brilliant draftsman who pr...