Vance Gerry


Vance Bryden Gerry was an American storyboard artist, concept artist, and character designer known for his work on One Hundred and One Dalmatians, The Sword in the Stone, The Jungle Book, The Aristocats, The Rescuers, and The Lion King.

Biography

Gerry was born in Pasadena, California and studied at the Chouinard Art Institute. In 1955, Gerry was first hired by Walt Disney Productions as an assistant in-betweener. He then transitioned to working as a layout artist in which he worked on One Hundred and One Dalmatians and The Sword in the Stone. During the development on The Jungle Book, he transitioned again into working in the story department.
In 1995, Gerry contributed visual development and character design artwork on Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan, and Home on the Range. Towards the end of his career, he worked closely with fellow storyboard artists Joe Grant and Burny Mattinson. Gerry retired from Disney to start a letterpress printing business named Weather Bird Press with his longtime friend Patrick Roeh.
On March 5, 2005, Gerry died at the age of 75 from complications from cancer in Pasadena, California.