Floyd Norman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Floyd Norman
Norman in 2016
Born	Floyd Ernest Norman (1935-06-22) June 22, 1935 (age 90) Santa Barbara, California, U.S.
Notable work	Sleeping Beauty The Sword in the Stone The Jungle Book Mary Poppins One Hundred and One Dalmatians Toy Story 2 Monsters, Inc. Mickey Mouse comic strip
Title	Animator, writer, artist, cartoonist
Signature

Floyd Ernest Norman (born June 22, 1935) is a famous American animator, writer, artist, and cartoonist. He has worked for many big animation companies. These include Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, and Hanna-Barbera Productions.

Life and Career

Early Life and Disney Beginnings

Floyd Norman loved animated movies from a young age. He especially enjoyed Disney films like Dumbo and Bambi. He studied illustration at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California.

In 1957, Norman started working at The Walt Disney Company. He was an inbetweener for the movie Sleeping Beauty. An inbetweener draws the frames that go between the main drawings to make movement smooth. He was the first African-American artist to work at Disney for a long time.

After serving in the military, Norman returned to Disney in 1960. He worked on One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) and The Sword in the Stone (1963). Walt Disney himself noticed Norman's fun sketches. He moved Norman to the story department. There, Norman helped create the story for The Jungle Book.

New Ventures and Return to Disney

After Walt Disney passed away in 1966, Floyd Norman left Disney. He started his own company, Vignette Films, Inc., with Leo D. Sullivan. This company made animated films about black history. They also worked on parts for Sesame Street and the TV special Hey, Hey, Hey, It's Fat Albert.

Norman later returned to Disney in the early 1970s. He worked on Robin Hood. He also worked on many animated TV shows for Hanna-Barbera and Ruby-Spears. In the 1980s, he wrote for Disney's comic strip department. He was the last writer for the Mickey Mouse comic strip before it ended.

Later Film Work

Floyd Norman has contributed to many popular movies. He was a story artist for films like The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Mulan at Walt Disney Animation Studios. He also worked on Toy Story 2 and Monsters, Inc. for Pixar.

Books and Other Contributions

Norman has written several books about his experiences in animation. These books share funny stories and insights into the animation world. He also wrote Animated Life, a guide for aspiring animators.

In 2016, a documentary called Floyd Norman: An Animated Life was made about him. He also writes columns for websites like JimHillMedia.com. In 2016, he joined a committee for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

In 2017, a picture book called A Kiss Goodnight was published. It was written by Richard M. Sherman and illustrated by Norman. In 2022, Norman participated in a special talk at The Walt Disney Family Museum. This event was about the making of The Jungle Book.

Awards and Honors

Floyd Norman has received many awards for his amazing work.

• In 1979, he was added to the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.
• He received the Winsor McCay Award in 2002. This award honors lifetime contributions to animation.
• In 2007, he was named a Disney Legend. This is a very special honor from Disney.
• He received an Inkpot Award at San Diego Comic-Con in 2008.
• In 2013, he was honored with the "Sergio Award" from The Comic Art Professional Society.
• The Disneyana Fan Club gave him the DFC Disney Legend award in 2014.
• In 2015, he received the Friz Freleng Award for Lifetime Achievement in Animation.
• The African-American Film Critics Association gave him a Special Achievement Award in 2016.
• In 2018, he received an honorary doctorate degree from Cogswell Polytechnical College.
• In 2019, he received the Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Cartoonists Society.
• In 2021, Norman was inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame.

Filmography

Film

Television