Disney animator Ann Sullivan, who worked on 'Little Mermaid' and 'Lion King,' dies of coronavirus at age 91

Ben Arnold
·Contributor
·2 min read
Ann Sullivan, an animator for The Little Mermaid, has died of coronavirus.(Photo: Disney)
Ann Sullivan, an animator for The Little Mermaid, has died of coronavirus.(Photo: Disney)

Ann Sullivan, a veteran animator for Disney who worked on a host of the studio's biggest movies, has died at the age of 91 after contracting COVID-19, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Sullivan worked on classic movies including The Little Mermaid in 1989 and the original Lion King in 1994.

She is the third resident of the Woodland Hills retirement home in Los Angeles, run by the Motion Picture and Television Fund, to die after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Born in Fargo, N.D., Sullivan began working at Disney in the 1950s — in the studio's animation paint lab — before leaving to have a family.

She then returned to the industry in 1973, first working for Hanna Barbera, and then once again at Disney.

Once back at the Mouse House, she worked on Oliver & Company, The Little Mermaid, The Prince and the Pauper, The Pagemaster, The Lion King, Pocahontas, Hercules, Tarzan, Fantasia 2000, The Emperor's New Groove. Lilo & Stitch and Treasure Planet.

She is survived by four children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Actor Allen Garfield, 80, who was also a resident at the home, died last week.

Several other residents, and some members of its staff, are currently being treated for the virus after also testing positive.

For the latest coronavirus news and updates, follow along at https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus. According to experts, people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk. If you have questions, please reference the CDC and WHO’s resource guides.

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