Long Time Disney Character Designer Sue Nichols Maciorowski Dies at the Age of 55
Sue Nichols Maciorowski, a long-time Disney character designer and story artist died this week at the age of 55. She had her hand in some very famous Disney animation films like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King and Mulan.
Hearing the sad news that Sue Nichols Maciorowski, longtime Disney character designer/visdev/story artist, passed away yesterday at age 55. She had a hand in most of Disney's modern 2D films: Beauty & the Beast, Aladdin, Lion King, Hunchback, Mulan, Fantasia 2000, Lilo & Stitch. pic.twitter.com/Pjdh8SbqFh
— cartoonbrew.com – Animation News (@cartoonbrew) September 1, 2020
Disney animation made an official statement: “We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Sue Nichols Maciorowski, an influential visual development and story artist who helped define the design and narratives of the films of the Disney Renaissance and beyond,” Disney Animation said in a statement.
We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Sue Nichols Maciorowski, an influential visual development and story artist who helped define the design and narratives of the films of the Disney Renaissance and beyond. pic.twitter.com/eiHb2GwOn4
— Disney Animation (@DisneyAnimation) September 3, 2020
The Twitter account went on to provide details on Ms. Maciorowski’s contributions to Disney animation.
On Beauty and the Beast, she contributed to both visual development and story and created early visual development artwork for Aladdin. From there, she provided character design and visual development on The Lion King, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mulan, and Lilo & Stitch.
— Disney Animation (@DisneyAnimation) September 3, 2020
On Hercules, she created a style guide that defined Greek design, and supervised the look of the film across layout, animation, effects, color styling and more. The title “Production Stylist” was created for her, as no one had done a similar role before at Disney Animation. (Disney Animation Twitter)
For The Princess and the Frog she suggested Harlem Renaissance artists like Aaron Douglas as inspiration for the art in the film and for Tiana’s song “Almost There”. All of which created the style for the film.
Maciorowski is originally from Longmeadow, Massachusetts and won an Emmy for her work on Jim Henson’s Muppet Babies. Her contributions to Disney animation will forever be present in the many films that showcase her work.
Tribute for Sue Nichols Maciorowski can be found here.