The “Normans” and I in Pasadena at one of my book events.
If you are lucky, you meet your heroes; sometimes, you meet people who become your heroes. When I worked at the Walt Disney Company in the 80s-90s, we rarely co-mingled with the studio employees except for the Christmas Nights when the studio people would come down and man the attractions while we enjoyed the night. I was unaware of the history and iconic animator Floyd Norman until years after I was unemployed by Disney. When I first met him and his wife about 9 years ago, I fell in love with his story and their love of each other. I speak about Floyd and his wife Adrienne often in my groups of friends and classes. Floyd made history at 21 years of age in 1956 without knowing it. Walt Disney hired Floyd to assist with Sleeping Beauty. Floyd was the first full-time African American Animator to be hired. Floyd has worked on many of the iconic movies such as The Jungle Book, Mary Poppins (you may have seen Norman in the anniversary special last year), 101 Dalmatians, Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc., In the mid-1980s, Norman took over the animated Mickey Mouse comic strip animation that Walt had started in 1930.
An excellent documentary on Norman and Adrienne is a must-see: Floyd Norman: An Animator's Life.
If you are a fan of any Disney Character from the extensive archives, be assured that Norman probably animated and worked on the show it was in. If you want a one-of-a-kind item, Norman accepts several monthly commissions. I have a great piece of art (Jiminy Cricket) hanging proudly in my office. I commissioned a Donald Duck art piece for a good friend.. You can check it out on his Instagram Page at Floyd Norman Movie, Email for information: Info@FloydNormanProductions.com
Adrienne Nichelle Brown-Norman (Floyd’s Wife) is a children’s book illustrator. Her pastel medium is so remarkable that you think the art is photography. She recently illustrated the book by Martha Blanding, the first Black Tour guide at Disney and the first employee (cast member) to hit 50 years in the company. LINK. I ask myself, how can one home have so much talent under one roof?
To learn about her life as an artist and remarkable life, here is her YouTube interview: LINK.
Last month, I was honored that they attended one of my book signings in Pasadena.
I hope you learn about these three remarkable Disney people this Black History Month.
