Joe Grant
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Grant, Joe (b. 1908) - When Walt decided in the late 1930s to set up a model department to create character models which could be utilized by the animators, he selected storyman Joe Grant to head that effort. Grant put together a staff of sculptors and puppeteers to make the plaster figures. He was an expert with character design, and was given the responsibility to OK all character model sheets at the Studio. After the model department closed, he continued to contribute as a character designer and storyman for the rest of the decade. Almost 40 years later, in his 80s, he would return to the Studio to inspire the Disney animation staff of today.