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Roy E. Disney
Photo: Towpilot, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons16

Roy E. Disney

American businessman and media executive (1930–2009)

Roy Edward Disney (January 10, 1930 – December 16, 2009) was an American businessman, media executive, and filmmaker. He was best known for serving as a senior executive for the Walt Disney Company and the chairman of its animation division, both of which were founded by his uncle, Walt Disney, and his father, Roy O. Disney.2

From Wikipedia’s article on Roy E. Disney (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Jan 10, 1930, died Dec 16, 2009.1

About

Born in Los Angeles, Disney graduated from Pomona College in 1951 and began working at Walt Disney Productions as an assistant director and producer. He then resigned at the company as an executive, and during his tenure he organized ousting of the company's top two executives: Ron W. Miller in 1984 and Michael Eisner in 2005. At the time of his death, he held more than 16 million shares (about 1% of the company), and served as a consultant for the company, as well as director emeritus for the board of directors.

As the last member of the Disney family to be actively involved in the company, Disney was often compared to his uncle and to his father. In 2006, Forbes magazine estimated his personal fortune at $1.2 billion.

Disney was also a celebrated yachtsman, a member of San Diego Yacht Club best known for his success in the Transpacific Yacht Race and winning the Newport Bermuda Race. Disney died from stomach cancer at the age of 79 on December 16, 2009, after battling the disease for over a year.

From Wikipedia’s article on Roy E. Disney, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Companies

Early life and education

  • Date not recordedPomona College3

Early life, education, and career beginnings

Disney was born in Los Angeles, California, the only child of Edna (née Francis; 1890–1984) and Roy O. Disney (1893–1971), the brother of Walt Disney. He graduated from Pomona College in 1951 and first began working for Walt Disney Productions as an assistant director and producer (True-Life Adventures). He continued until 1967, when he was elected to the company's board of directors.

From Wikipedia’s article on Roy E. Disney (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Career

Occupation: manufacturer, entrepreneur, business executive, executive producer, screenwriter, animator, cinematographer.6

  • Date not recordedFounded Shamrock Holdings4
  • Date not recordedChief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company5

Other work

Disney was a trustee of the California Institute of the Arts, another institution founded by his uncle Walt.

He appeared as himself in a voice cameo in an episode of the animated show Mickey Mouse Works (later shown on House of Mouse) in which Mickey accidentally sent him an angry fax meant for Mortimer Mouse.

In 1998, he executive produced The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit, written by Ray Bradbury and directed by Stuart Gordon.

Shamrock Holdings, which Disney owned and Stanley Gold ran as CEO, is an investment company which managed Disney's personal investments.

From Wikipedia’s article on Roy E. Disney (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Personal life

  • BornJan 10, 1930, Los Angeles7
  • DiedDec 16, 2009, Newport Beach8
  • CitizenshipUnited States9
  • SpousePatricia Disney 1955 to 200710
  • Children511

Disney held several sailing speed records, including the Los Angeles to Honolulu monohull time record. He set it on his boat Pyewacket in July 1999 (7 days, 11 hours, 41 minutes, 27 seconds).

On January 19, 2007, after beginning a relationship with Leslie DeMeuse, Disney (then 77 years old) filed for divorce from his wife, Patricia (then 72), citing "irreconcilable differences", according to court documents. The couple, married for 52 years, had been living apart, according to the Los Angeles County Superior Court filing. They had four adult children: Abigail Disney, Susan Disney Lord, Tim Disney (a documentary film producer), and Roy Patrick Disney (step-father of actor and activist Charlee Corra).

In 2008, Disney married DeMeuse, a CSTV producer, and Emmy winner of various sailing documentaries.

Disney died of stomach cancer on December 16, 2009, at Hoag Memorial Hospital in Newport Beach, California. He was 79 years old, and had been battling the disease for over a year. He was cremated after his funeral service, and his ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean.

From Wikipedia’s article on Roy E. Disney (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Awards

  • 1998Disney Legends12 13
  • 1993Winsor McCay Award12
  • Date not recordedKnight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great12

Sources

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