Roy E. Disney Passes Away

[BoddaH1994]

Here's to a member of one of the most visionary families in American history...

Throughout Roy Edward Disney's career, he kept the core Disney creative spirit alive and spearheaded the ousting of two top Disney executives, Ron Miller and Michael Eisner, at the Walt Disney Company, which was founded by his uncle Walt and father Roy Oliver Disney.

http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2009/12/roy-e-disney-disney-exec-and-nephew-of-walt-disney-dies-at-79.html

[standbyme]

That's too bad. I have always thought he looked a lot like Walt.

I would imagine that if you were ever at a cemetery and noticed Michael Eisner dancing you could assume that you found where Roy was buried.

[Avatar]

Oh the grief is overwhelming! It's always hard to say goodbye to such visionaries but Roy did live a good life and even as he parted ways with the Disney Board he still had influence trough some very loyal followers. RIP Roy

[CincyMan98]

I thought he died awhile ago......

Anyway, that's still said, because he kept Disney alive.

[Avatar]

You may be thinking of Roys nephew Walt who died December 15, 1966. Kinda of ironic that they died almost on the same calender date. Roy (Walt's nephew) who was a partner with Walt put off retirement after his brothers passing to complete the Disney World project.

[Diamondback96]

Rest in peace.

[CincyMan98]

You may be thinking of Roys nephew Walt who died December 15, 1966. Kinda of ironic that they died almost on the same calender date. Roy (Walt's nephew) who was a partner with Walt put off retirement after his brothers passing to complete the Disney World project.

Okay I don't understand that. What, are there 2 Walts in that family? I'm really confused at what you said.....

[Avatar]

Sorry I was just trying to help you with your declaration of thinking Roy had died a while back. If you are at all interested the history of Walt Disney or the Disney company you may want to browse the site i am giving a link to.http://corporate.disney.go.com/corporate/complete_history.html

[CoastersRZ]

Wow, a sad day indeed. His impact on the Walt Disney Company is still being felt. Its a shame that he lost his battle with cancer.

[The Interpreter]

Indeed. Not only was the man a titan in the industry, but he was a true gentleman who wanted the best for the Disney company, and to preserve Walt's legacy.

[Scooby_Doo]

What Awful News! So sad ! He really did keep the dream alive.

[Cory Butcher]

This is very saddening news for the industry. As many previous posters have mentioned, Roy kept Walt's dream alive and essentially continued to lay the groundwork for the Florida project after Walt's death.

Rest in Peace Mr. Disney!

[jzarley]

^ Actually, that was this Roy's father (Walt's brother Roy O. Disney) who kept the Florida dream alive in the years immediately after Walt's death, and assured its completion and opening. Roy O. retired almost immediately after WDW's opening, and died just two month's later.

Roy E. Disney was Walt's nephew, who in no small part also put his mark on the Walt Disney Co.--by initiating regime change in the company--not once, but twice! (And, is pretty much credited with saving animation at Disney in the 1980s.)

I've often wondered what the relationship was like between Roy E. and Walt's daughters... After all, it was Ron Miller (Diane Disney-Miller's husband) that Roy forced out as CEO to bring in Michael Eisner. Seems like that could make for some awkward moments at Thanksgiving.