Disney Special Effects Artist, Peter Ellenshaw, Passes Away
Peter Ellenshaw, an Oscar Winning special effects artist for Disney, has died at the age of 93. He is survived by his son Harrison, who is a visual effects artist, and his daughter, Lynda Ellenshaw Thompson, a visual effects producer, and two grandchildren. He is predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Bobbie. He was born May 24, 1913 in London, and then moved to Essex with his family at age three during World War I. He got interested in art when he was very little, saying that when he German Zeppelins would fly overhead, his mother would give them pencils to draw with and tell them to sit under the table. He would draw airplanes, and he said that this was what got him inspired to be an artist.
He continued to draw, even though he dropped out of school at the age of 14 to help support his family. He spent six years working in a garage as a mechanic. He lived then in Oxbridge, where the London film studios were located. He befriended Walter Percy Day, who worked there as a matte artist, and eventually offered him a job there. He worked there until 1935-1941.
Peter had an extensive career. He worked on such classics as "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea", "Darby O'Gill and the Little People" and "Mary Poppins," for which he won his Oscar. He was with Disney for over 30 years and started there in 1947 when he was hired in London to do matte paintings for Disney's first live-action film, "Treasure Island" (1950). He then worked on "20,000 Leagues" in 1953 doing matte paintings for Capt. Nemo's secret island base of Vulcania. Some other films he worked on were "The AbsentMinded Professor," "Pollyanna," "Swiss Family Robinson," "The Happiest Millionaire," "The Love Bug" and "The Black Hole." He also did matte paintings for Disney TV fare, such as "Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier," "Zorro" and "Texas John Slaughter."
Peter painted the first postcard for the Magic Kingdom in Disneyland as well as helping in the design of several rides for the theme park. Roy E. Disney said, "Peter was a Disney legend in every sense of the word and played a vital role in the creation of many of the studio's greatest live-action films from the very beginning. He was a brilliant and innovative visual effects pioneer who was able to consistently please my Uncle Walt and push the boundaries of the medium to fantastic new heights."
Funeral services will be private. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to Direct Relief International, 27 S. La Patera Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93117.- Sign-up for daily Magical Mountain Disney news email
- Have you missed any Disney news from the past? Visit our Disney news archive to help you get your magical news of Disney days of yore.
- Follow Magical Mountain on facebook and twitter.
- Get great deals on everthing online by following Blue Sky Media Solutions Deals twitter.
