Information
Full name: John Mitchell Lounsbery
Birth: March 9, 1911 in Cincinnati, Ohio
Death: February 13, 1976 in Los Angeles, California
Marriages:
Florence Louise Hurd (December 7, 1935 – February 13, 1976)
Worked at the Disney studio between:
July 2, 1935 – February 13, 1976
Job on Snow White:
Assistant director of Norman Ferguson on sequence 7A (and most likely on other sequences featuring the witch)
Animator of the hag on sequences 9A, 14J
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John Lounsbery (1911–1976) was one of Disney’s esteemed “Nine Old Men,” a group of pioneering animators who shaped the studio’s golden age. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he studied at the Art Institute of Denver before joining Walt Disney Studios in 1935. His early career was defined by his work on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
During the production of Snow White, Lounsbery worked under the supervision of Norman Ferguson, contributing to the animation of the Wicked Queen in her terrifying transformation into the Old Witch. Ferguson, known for his mastery of expressive, dynamic movement, greatly influenced Lounsbery’s approach. Together, they brought the Witch to life with a sense of eerie realism, her gnarled hands, hunched posture, and sinister expressions making her one of the most memorable villains in animation history.
Following Snow White, Lounsbery became a key animator on numerous Disney classics, later advancing to directing animator and co-director roles. His work spanned films like Dumbo (1941), Cinderella (1950), and The Jungle Book (1967), where he brought personality and warmth to many beloved characters. His contributions helped define Disney animation, leaving a lasting legacy in the art form.
John was a helluva draftsman who could imitate anybody’s style.
Ken Peterson
