Early Animators

Georges Melies

Georges Méliès, full name Marie-Georges-Jean Méliès, was a French illusionist and filmmaker famous for leading many technical and narrative developments in the earliest days of cinema.

Most Famous Films:

• A trip to the moon
• The haunted castle
• The impossible voyage
• The vanishing lady
• The man with the rubber head

Born: December 8, 1861

Died: January 21, 1938

Winsor McCay

Zenas Winsor McCay was an American cartoonist and animator. He is best known for the comic strip Little Nemo and the animated film Gertie the Dinosaur.

Most Famous Films:

• Gertie the dinosaur
• Little nemo
• The sinking of the Lusitania 
• How a mosquito operates

Born: September 26, 1869

Died: July 26, 1934

Lotte Reinger

Charlotte "Lotte" Reiniger was a German silhouette animator and film director

Most Famous Films:

• Jack and the beanstalk
• The invisible agent

Born: June 2, 1899

Died: June 19, 1981

Walt Disney

Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American business magnate, animator, producer, director, screenwriter, and voice actor

Most Famous Films: 

• Fantasia
• Snow White and the seven dwarfs
• Sleeping Beauty
• Dumbo
• Bambi

Bron: December 5, 1901

Died: December 15, 1966