Frank Thomas (animator) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frank Thomas
Thomas in 1974
Born	Franklin Rosborough Thomas (1912-09-05)September 5, 1912 Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Died	September 8, 2004(2004-09-08) (aged 92) La Cañada Flintridge, California, U.S.
Alma mater	Stanford University
Occupation	Animator
Years active	1935–2004
Known for	One of Disney's Nine Old Men
Spouse(s)	Jeanette A. Thomas
Children	4, including Theodore Thomas

Frank Thomas (born Franklin Rosborough Thomas; September 5, 1912 – September 8, 2004) was a famous American animator and talented pianist. He was one of the main animators for Walt Disney. Frank Thomas was part of a special group known as the Nine Old Men. These were the core animators who created many classic Disney films.

Frank Thomas's Early Life and Education

Frank Thomas was born on September 5, 1912, in Santa Monica, California. His father, Frank Thomas, was a teacher. Frank grew up in Fresno, California. He went to Stanford University where he studied and worked on the school's humor magazine. There, he became good friends with another future Disney animator, Ollie Johnston.

After finishing at Stanford in 1933, Frank went to the Chouinard Art Institute. This art school helped him prepare for a career in animation.

Frank Thomas's Disney Career

Frank Thomas joined The Walt Disney Company on September 24, 1934. He was employee number 224! During his time at Disney, he worked on many animated movies and short films. He was also a musician, playing the piano in a Dixieland band called Firehouse Five Plus Two.

Famous Characters Animated by Frank Thomas

Frank Thomas helped bring many beloved Disney characters to life. In early short films, he animated scenes with Mickey Mouse in Brave Little Tailor and The Pointer. During World War II, he worked on training films for the Army Air Forces.

In Disney's feature films, Frank Thomas animated some of the most memorable moments. He drew the dwarfs crying over Snow White in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. He also animated Pinocchio singing at the marionette theater. Other famous scenes he worked on include:

• Bambi and Thumper playing on the ice in Bambi.
• Lady and the Tramp sharing spaghetti in Lady and the Tramp.
• The three fairies in Sleeping Beauty.
• Merlin and Arthur as squirrels in The Sword in the Stone.
• The fun "wizard's duel" between Merlin and Madam Mim in The Sword in the Stone.
• King Louie singing "I Wan'na Be Like You" in The Jungle Book.
• The dancing penguins in Mary Poppins.
• Winnie the Pooh and Piglet in Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day and Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too.

Frank Thomas's Villain Animations

Frank Thomas was also known for animating some of Disney's most famous villains. He brought to life:

• The evil stepmother Lady Tremaine in Cinderella.
• The Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland.
• Captain Hook in Peter Pan.

Frank Thomas retired from Disney on January 31, 1978.

Books and Documentaries by Frank Thomas

Frank Thomas and his good friend Ollie Johnston wrote several important books about animation. Their most famous book is Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life, first published in 1981. This book is considered a "bible" for animators. It explains the "12 basic principles of animation" that Disney used.

Frank and Ollie were also featured in a 1995 documentary film called Frank and Ollie. This movie was directed by Frank's son, Theodore Thomas. It showed their careers, personal lives, and their strong friendship. In 2012, Theodore Thomas also made a short documentary called "Growing up with Nine Old Men."

Frank Thomas's Later Work and Legacy

Before he passed away, Frank Thomas did some voice work for the animated film The Incredibles (2004). He and Ollie Johnston voiced two old men in the movie. They had also voiced two train engineers in the film The Iron Giant (1999).

Frank Thomas passed away in La Cañada Flintridge, California on September 8, 2004, shortly after his 92nd birthday. His wife, Jeanette A. Thomas, passed away in 2012.

A book about Frank Thomas's life, Walt Disney's Nine Old Men & The Art of Animation, was written by John Canemaker in 2001. Frank Thomas is remembered as one of the greatest animators in history.

Filmography

Films

Television series

Books by Frank Thomas

Frank Thomas (center) with his best friend Ollie Johnston and their wives in 1985

Frank Thomas co-authored several books, all with his friend Ollie Johnston:

• Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life
• Too Funny For Words: Disney's Greatest Sight Gags
• The Disney Villain
• Bambi: The Story and the Film, which came with a flip book

See also

In Spanish: Frank Thomas para niños