Early Life and Disney Beginnings
Jane Baer was born Jane Maureen Shattuck on October 30, 1934 in Winnipeg, Canada. She moved to the United States to study at the Art Center in Pasadena. While she was still a student, she landed a job on the Disney classic “Sleeping Beauty” in 1955. At Disney she worked as a clean‑up artist, a role that let her see the film frame by frame. She learned directly from the legendary Nine Old Men, the core group of Disney animators who defined the studio’s style.
Career Highlights and Studio Work
After her first Disney stint, Baer left to join Ed Graham Animation. She then moved to Pantomime Studios where she helped design layouts for the series “Skyhawks” and “Speed Racer.” Her next stop was Filmation Studios. There she added her talent to shows such as “Aquaman” and “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” In 1975 she returned to Disney. This time she worked under master animator Milt Kahl. Together they created scenes for “The Fox and the Hound,” “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” and “The Black Cauldron.” She also assisted on “The Rescuers.” These projects cemented her reputation as a skilled Disney female animator.
Key Film Credits
Beyond Disney, Baer contributed to many beloved titles. She helped animate “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Smurfs” series, “Pete’s Dragon,” and the classic “Aladdin and the Magic Lamp.” Her most famous later work came when she and her husband Dale Baer founded Baer Animation. Their studio provided crucial animation services for Robert Zemeckis’ groundbreaking film “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” This credit placed Baer at the heart of one of the most celebrated hybrid live‑action/animation movies.
Founding Baer Animation and Later Years
In 1984 Jane and Dale Baer launched Baer Animation. The company offered both traditional animation and camera services. It grew quickly and attracted major Hollywood projects. Jane oversaw the studio’s creative direction while also mentoring younger artists. She kept working on high‑profile films until she retired in the early 2000s.
Jane Baer passed away on a Monday at her home in Van Nuys, California at the age of 91. She leaves behind her son Michael, his partner Beth, and her extended family in Winnipeg. Her legacy lives on in the timeless movies she helped bring to life and in the many animators she inspired.
Source: www.thewrap.com
