Milt Kahl ~ 1909-1987
"I didn't have any limitations, I could do anything."
Talent, verve, and ego—all things no one could ever accuse Milt Kahl of lacking. Milton Kahl was born March 22, 1909 in San Francisco, CA. At the age of 16, he took a job with what is now the Oakland Tribune, working in their art department, and continued to make a name for himself as an artist until the depression took its tole and he was laid off. Following some smaller gigs, an old friend, Ham Luske, recommended Milt consider joining him at Disney. On June 25, 1934, Milt started his first day at the studio.
Milt's gifts as an animator shot him to the top of the talent pool, and by 1936, he was a junior animator. It was Pinnochio that put Milt on the map. Walt had been struggling for years to nail down the look of his little wooden boy, and eventually, Milt—fed up with the lack of progress—redesigned the character and did a test on his own. Upon seeing the footage, Walt was ecstatic. It was exactly what he wanted.
From there on, Milt became a force to be reckoned with: helping to lead the character design on such unforgettable friends as Brer Rabbit, Prince Charming, Peter Pan, Wendy, Prince Philipp, Tigger, Medusa, and his master work, Shere Khan, whilst also animating a flurry of others. His work set the look for Disney Animation, and he knew it.
Milt was perhaps too aware that he was the best draftsman at Disney and his abrassive demeanor often alienated those he worked with. By the mid 70s, his relationships within the studio had grown so toxic that he up and left in the middle of production on the Rescuers; his last day at the studio was April 30, 1976.
In retirement, Milt traveled, fished, and picked up wire sculpture making, amongst other hobbies. He didn't return to drawing. He viewed it too much as work and he no longer had passion for it. Milt passed away on April 19, 1987, but in contrast to his reputation as a vitrolic firebrand, his legacy is that of mentor and unsurpassed artist. "Milt had a very sweet, helpful side, when he chose," said Ollie. “He gave unstintingly of his time and talent when it was to help the picture."
Milt's gifts as an animator shot him to the top of the talent pool, and by 1936, he was a junior animator. It was Pinnochio that put Milt on the map. Walt had been struggling for years to nail down the look of his little wooden boy, and eventually, Milt—fed up with the lack of progress—redesigned the character and did a test on his own. Upon seeing the footage, Walt was ecstatic. It was exactly what he wanted.
From there on, Milt became a force to be reckoned with: helping to lead the character design on such unforgettable friends as Brer Rabbit, Prince Charming, Peter Pan, Wendy, Prince Philipp, Tigger, Medusa, and his master work, Shere Khan, whilst also animating a flurry of others. His work set the look for Disney Animation, and he knew it.
Milt was perhaps too aware that he was the best draftsman at Disney and his abrassive demeanor often alienated those he worked with. By the mid 70s, his relationships within the studio had grown so toxic that he up and left in the middle of production on the Rescuers; his last day at the studio was April 30, 1976.
In retirement, Milt traveled, fished, and picked up wire sculpture making, amongst other hobbies. He didn't return to drawing. He viewed it too much as work and he no longer had passion for it. Milt passed away on April 19, 1987, but in contrast to his reputation as a vitrolic firebrand, his legacy is that of mentor and unsurpassed artist. "Milt had a very sweet, helpful side, when he chose," said Ollie. “He gave unstintingly of his time and talent when it was to help the picture."