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.
