Vault Disney Presents Disney Legends - John Hench (1997)

John Hench was the longest continuously employed Walt Disney employee of all time employed with the company in various capacities for over 65 years.

He started with the studio in 1939 hoping to work on Fantasia. He worked on several animated films in story, animation, effects, art direction, and more. Recognizing that Hench was one of the studios most talented artists, Walt teamed him with famed artist Salvador Dali on a film called Destino. While the film was not completed at the time, decades later Roy Disney Jr revived the project and with Hench completed a version of it in 2003.

Hench continued working in the animation dept until Cinderella. From there, he found himself in the live action special effects unit where he helped to perfect the giant squid in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Eventually he became one of the first Imagineers designing Disneyland and other attractions. From there he helped on 1960 Winter Olympics where he redesigned the Olympic Torch, a design all subsequent torches are based on. He worked on the 1964/64 New York World's Fair and was instrumental in designing Walt Disney World and EPCOT Center.

He was also Mickey Mouse's official portrait artist, supplying paintings of him for every milestone.

Hench continued working on attractions for the Walt Disney Company for the rest of his life. His motto was "Art is what makes us human."

John Hench was made a Disney Legend in 1990. He passed away in 2004.

Posted for historical purposes. This channel is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.