Clark, Les (1907-1979) -
The Disney Studio
was still in production on the Alice Comedies in
1927 when the young Les Clark started with the
company as an apprentice animator. By the time
that Mickey Mouse made his debut the next
year, Les had become more proficient, and he
helped Ub Iwerks by animating one scene for
"Steamboat Willie." Les served as an animator or
directing animator on most of the Disney
animated features. He later moved on to direct
Disney educational films. He was the eldest of
the group which Walt called his Nine Old Men,
the key group of Disney animators from the mid-
century era.
