Mike Royer
Mike Royer: A Life of Service and Leadership
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Mike Royer was a renowned American sculptor, artist, and educator who made significant contributions to the field of art. He is often referred to as Michael Royer or simply Mike.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on August 10, 1925, in San Francisco, California, Mike Royer passed away on September 9, 2017, leaving behind a legacy of artistic excellence and dedication to his craft.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Royer was an American artist, sculptor, painter, and educator. He is best known for his work as a Disney animator and character designer, having worked at the studio from 1941 to 1986.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in San Francisco's vibrant artistic community, Royer developed a passion for art from an early age. His mother, a talented artist herself, encouraged his creative pursuits. After completing high school, he attended the California School of Fine Arts (now known as the San Francisco Art Institute), where he honed his skills in sculpture and painting.
Major Accomplishments
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Royer's work at Disney is perhaps his most notable achievement. During his 45-year tenure with the studio, he designed and developed some of the company's most iconic characters, including Tinker Bell, Peter Pan, and Madam Mim from _The Sword in the Stone_. His contributions to Disney's success cannot be overstated.
Notable Works or Actions
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In addition to his work on Disney classics, Royer was a prolific artist who created numerous paintings, sculptures, and illustrations throughout his career. He also taught art classes at several institutions and participated in various group exhibitions. One notable example of his artistic talent is the "Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom" sculpture he designed for the park's opening in 1971.
Impact and Legacy
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Mike Royer's influence on the world of animation and art cannot be overstated. His innovative designs and attention to detail have inspired generations of artists, animators, and designers. As a testament to his enduring legacy, Disney honored him with the Disney Legends Award in 2001.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Mike Royer is widely quoted and remembered for his dedication to his craft, his innovative designs, and his lasting impact on the world of animation. His commitment to artistic excellence has left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire artists today.
As an artist, educator, and Disney legend, Mike Royer's life and work serve as a reminder of the power of creativity and imagination. His contributions to the world of art and animation will continue to be celebrated for generations to come.
Quotes by Mike Royer
Mike Royer's insights on:
I went to art school for about a year. I was born and raised in the Willamette Valley in Oregon into a middle-class family who didn't have the funds to say, "Here, kid. Here's your money for school." So I worked real hard during the summer and saved money and was able to go to school for a year and borrowed a little money which I paid back after that first year.
It was months later when I was sitting at the board in my studio and my wife would stick her head in and say, "What if you did Pooh and...oh, we don't do that anymore." I do have my soapbox and will go to my grave being a Disney company man.
In most companies, the corporate mentality is if you're over 30, you're on the downhill side, and if you're over 40, you're brain dead. Or, if you're over 30 or 40 and you've been doing it for a while, you've got experience and you want to be paid for that experience.
I moonlighted during a two-week vacation, doing a month's worth of work in two weeks; it almost killed me, but I wanted to stretch my muscles and the letter from the producer says, "Your storyboarding is Eisensteinian," referring to the famous Russian filmmaker.
I chose Bagdasarian Productions when I heard from some colleagues at work who were buying story boards at the time back in the early '90. I met the man once when I came in with the first half of the story board and the only thing he said when looking at the first half of the board was, "It's so nice to see someone using their imagination."
I will say that I'm proud of my connection to DC comics because they are absolutely fabulous in sending reprint royalty checks.
People ask me who my favorite inker is and I tell them my favorite inker was Joe Sinnott...but I was the best. Now I don't mean that as any kind of egotistical thing. It's just that I did what Jack wanted.
During the Mavelmania days in the late '60's I got a phone call one evening and I answered it and this voice said, "Mike Royer? This is Jack Kirby. Word is you're a pretty good inker." That's how it started.
I live in the past when it comes to movies, but my own career is a matter of remembering the nuts and bolts and things like eating chocolate cake and drinking milk with Jack [Kirby] in his kitchen, but that's all I remember.
I learned that, "Mike, you get your first job on your ability and every job after that on your dependability."