Disney’s First Black Animator Is Finally Getting The Attention He Deserves

“Floyd Norman: An Animated Life,” streaming on Netflix, celebrates the man who helped make the movies you love.
Michael Fiore Films

Way before Disney strayed from its habit of telling tales centered only on docile, lily-white princesses, a black animator helped bring its stories to life.

In “Sleeping Beauty,” a crew of cheery, vibrant birds flit across the screen; in “The Sword in the Stone” a no-nonsense owl keeps Merlin company. Floyd Norman worked as a clean-up artist and an assistant animator on these films, respectively. He helped finesse their aesthetic, but his work was uncredited. Today, his art is celebrated ― in a documentary released this year, “Floyd Norman: An Animated Life.”

The film follows Floyd’s work for Disney in 1959, when he was the studio’s first black animator, through his continuing contribution to the film industry today. Disney tried to force Norman to retire from his post at 65, but he asserted that he’d like to continue to contribute as a freelancer ― which he still does today, at 81.

In the film, a colleague describes Norman as “the Forrest Gump of animation,” which may seem like purplish praise. But for a man who worked on “101 Dalmatians,” “The Jungle Book,” and other classics, and who refuses to quit, the compliment feels accurate.

“Floyd Norman: An Animated Life” has recently been added to Netflix. Here’s what else is new to the streaming service.

Before You Go

"Ghostbusters," Leslie Jones

11 Films With Black Stars To Look Forward To In 2016

Close

What's Hot