Legendary Animator Mark Henn Retires from Disney after 43 Years
Mark Henn, legendary animator at Disney during the studio’s modern era, concluded his 43-year tenure with the company this week at the age of 65. Commencing his Disney journey in 1980, Henn remained steadfastly loyal, never venturing to another studio throughout his illustrious career.
Although not as spotlighted as some of Disney’s other animation luminaries, Henn played a profound role in shaping the contemporary aesthetic of Disney animation. He continued the legacy of the studio’s original Nine Old Men animators, characterized by his ability to generate substantial amounts of footage and infuse characters with genuine, heartfelt, and restrained animation.
Within the studio, Henn earned a reputation as a low-key and unassuming figure. Despite this, his impact was far-reaching, as he significantly contributed to defining the studio’s animation style. Notably, Henn held the distinction of supervising five female leads, a record unmatched in the history of the animation studio.
His oversight included iconic characters such as Ariel (collaborating with Glen Keane), Belle (working alongside James Baxter), Jasmine, Mulan, and Tiana. Throughout his tenure, Henn’s animation work was characterized by its sincerity, warmth, and understated brilliance.
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Demonstrating Henn’s enduring talent and significance at Disney, the studio creatively accommodated him in the era of computer-generated animation. This involved assigning him tasks related to 2D sequences, such as crafting the Maui tattoos in Moana or contributing to the hybrid film Enchanted.
Henn’s impact extended beyond feature films, as he made numerous contributions to short films like The Ballad of Nessie and Get a Horse!, engaged in special projects for theme parks, and played a key role in early character exploration and 2D sequences for major productions.
Notably, Henn embraced a pivotal new role as a mentor and coach within the studio. His mentorship journey commenced with Frozen and continued through films like Big Hero 6 and Ralph Breaks the Internet.
Henn has not yet revealed what he will do in retirement after 43 years with the company. Congratulations to Mark and best wishes on the next chapter of his journey.
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