Walt Disney Studios has had its fair share of ultra-talented designers. The company has also had its fair share of ultra-talented animators. But very rarely has both of these titles been bestowed on one person. This distinction, however, can be applied to Disney Legend Rolly Crump.
Early Life and Work
Rolly Crump was born in Alhambra, California in 1930, less than an hour’s drive away from what would become Disneyland. He would join Walt Disney Studios when he was 22 years old, in 1952. Although he was already a gifted animator, he really honed his craft by working with Disney’s already-established group of animators, the legendary “Nine Old Men.”
Rolly’s initial job in this department was creating “inbetween” shots. “Inbetweening” is essentially the glue between two important frames, which makes the audience perceive movement. He excelled in this role (obviously), and was soon promoted to assistant animator, working on films like One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, and Lady and the Tramp.
His skills as an animator were undeniable. However, part of why Walt Disney was such a brilliant businessman was his ability to maximize his employees’ skill sets. This often involved having his most creative minds bounce around from one project and department to another, which is what Rolly Crump did in 1959 when he joined WED Enterprises, or Walt Disney Imagineering, as a designer.
Design Career
Rolly Crump hit the ground running as an Imagineer. He helped design some of the major Disneyland attractions, including The Enchanted Tiki Room, The Haunted Mansion, and It’s a Small World. His contributions continued as the company opened Walt Disney World in 1971, as he helped design the layout of Magic Kingdom.
Rolly left Disney altogether in the early 70s in order to pursue other ventures. This man’s keen eye for design helped influence many other entertainment companies. His work was featured in Busch Gardens, Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus, and Knott’s Berry Farm. He again worked with Disney from 1976 to 1981, with his main contribution being the design of the Land and Wonders of Life pavilion in EPCOT.
He would focus on building his own design business after leaving Disney again. The Mariposa Design Group headed projects around the globe, such as an international celebration for Oman, a country in West Asia, the Gambling Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, restaurants in Denver, and theme parks in Tokyo, Japan.
Rolly Crump returned to Disney once more in 1992 as the Executive Designer of Disney Imagineering, again working to develop EPCOT. He would remain in this position until he retired in 1996.
A Life of Imagination
Rolly Crump was honored as a Disney Legend in 2004. His influence is felt not only in the world of Disney, but in the entertainment and attraction industry the world over. His stunning animations and designs continue to dazzle all those fortunate enough to appreciate them. Rolly passed away in March of last year at the age of 93, but his accomplishments will live on forevermore.
