Milt Neil

Joining the studio in 1935, Neil contributed to some of Disney's biggest landmark films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fantasia and Dumbo, until his departure in 1944. He was admired for his ability to bring personality and humor to anthropomorphic characters while adhering to Disney’s classical animation principles. Neil later worked for Walter Lantz Productions and as a toy designer for Hasbro, and also taught animation in his later years.

• Name — Milt Neil • Birth Name — Milton Neil • Born — 30 May 1914 • Birthplace — Irvington, Essex County, New Jersey, U.S. • Died — 18 October 1997 • Place of death — Wayne Township, Passaic County, New Jersey, U.S. • Other Names — The Duck Man • Occupation — Animator, comics artist, toy designer • Years Active — 1930s–1970s • Employer — Walt Disney Studios, Walter Lantz Productions, Hasbro • Notable Works — Fantasia, Dumbo, The Reluctant Dragon, Saludos Amigos

Milton C. Neil was born on 30 May, 1914 in Irvington, New Jersey, the son of Polish immigrants Adam Peter Nieliwocki and Stella Hodureck Nieliwocki. After retirement, he owned two restaurants, the Laguna Beach Club and the former Holster Restaurant. He was also a private pilot. Neil died in 1997 and was preceded by his parents. His wife, Dorothy Elizabeth Golden Neil passed in 2004.

He worked for Disney Studios from 1935 to 1944. He worked on several major Disney feature length works including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fantasia, Dumbo, Saludos Amigos, The Reluctant Dragon and The Three Caballeros. After leaving Disney he briefly worked for Walter Lantz Productions. He was also active in advertising and redesigned the two mascots of Pea Soup Andersen's. They received their permanent names Hap-Pea and Pea-Wee through a contest. Neil became involved with the children's show Howdy Doody, for whom he designed puppets and various other merchandising objects. Together with Chad Grothkopf he adapted the TV show into a newspaper comic between 1950 and 1953, though he only worked on it for the first three months, after which Grothkopf took over. Neil also ran the character animation program at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Design.

• Year — Title — Position — Characters • 1937 — Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs — animator — Forest animals • 1939 — The Ugly Duckling — animator (uncredited) — Ugly duckling • 1940 — Pinocchio — animator (uncredited) — The Blue Fairy • 1940 — Fantasia — animator • 1941 — The Reluctant Dragon — animator • 1941 — Dumbo — animator — Timothy Q. Mouse / Crows • 1942 — How to Play Baseball — animator • 1942 — Deh Fuehrer's Face — animator (uncredited) — Donald Duck • 1943 — Fall Out Fall In — animator • 1943 — Saludos Amigos — animator — Donald Duck / Llama • 1944 — The Three Caballeros — animator • 1946 — Dumb Bell of the Yukon — animator (uncredited) • 1947 — Fun and Fancy Free — character animator (uncredited) — Donald Duck / Mickey Mouse / Goofy

Milt Neil is recorded with the occupation character animator. Recorded with the occupation comics artist. Recorded as character animator and comics artist.