After 41 years of working for Disney, John Musker, the artist that co-wrote and co-directed some of Disney's most iconic films, like 'Aladdin' and 'Hercules' has finally decided to call it a day. Illinois born Musker, who first began drawing characters for a university newspaper, recently announced his retirement. In order to bid him farewell, many of Musker's colleagues gathered at a party in his honour just last Sunday. Some colleagues shared photos from the event on social media.
Animation ain't never had a friend like...John Musker! #Aladdin and #Moana director retires from #disney today. #greatparty #hesnotdoneyet pic.twitter.com/fk79x4ymlw
? Tony Bancroft (@pumbaaguy1) March 19, 2018
Wishing a very happy retirement to my friend and mentor John Musker, the guy who's work inspired me to become an animator. I consider myself blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from this great man. All the best to you! #disney #disneyanimation #animation #moana pic.twitter.com/9RQ70sjd99
? hyrum osmond (@mrhyrum) March 19, 2018
Ever since he began working for the company, Musker has been tied to Ron Clements. The two met in 1981 whilst working as animators on 'The Fox and The Hound', and have been working together ever since. The two made their debut with 'The Great Mouse Detective' just five years after they met. With 'The Little Mermaid' (1989) the two marked a second golden age for Disney due to the film's artistic and economic successes. 'Treasure Planet' (2002), wasn't nearly as well received, although it should be commended for its creative qualities despite being a box-office failure.
The penultimate Disney film released in traditional animation ('The Princess and the Frog') also belongs to the pair as well as 'Moana', Disney's latest animated production. Both animators, alongside Glen Keane ('Pocahontas' and 'Tarzan') and composer Alan Menken (with whom they collaborated on three occasions) are the faces of the Disney's glory days back in the 1990s.
Whilst Clements hasn't yet spoken of his plans to retire, that of Musker has come as his artistic and professional careers are at an all-time high. The animator has left behind various cinematic classics that will live on for decades and generations to come. 'Aladdin' is making headway on Broadway and in London. A live-action remake with the same name is also in the works for a 2019 release.
An inseparable duo in real life and in fiction
According to the outlet Oh My Disney, both animators began a tradition of making cameo appearances in their works, starting with 'Aladdin'.
Their illustrated doubles made it into 'Hercules'...
And even crossed cultures and appeared in 'Moana'.
