Roy E. Disney, nephew of Walt Disney and who became a power behind the scenes and influential in the famed family of the entertainment industry, died of stomach cancer.
Clifford Miller, spokesman for the company Shamrock Holdings representing Disney, confirmed the news on Tuesday. Roy Disney died at the Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, California.
Roy Disney Jr. was born on January 10, 1930 in Los Angeles and worked for the company as a writer and producer.
His most important influence was achieved as a shareholder where protests led two internal actions of the same members against the administrative handling int he company. He was named as the protector and the Godfather of the the Walt Disney company.
It was Roy Disney who advised the newly elected CEO Michael Eisner to invest millions of dollars and activate the animation unit of Walt Disney Co. Eisner invested millions in computer animation and in few years released moves like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King.
Roy, in addition to his daughter Abigail, is survived by his wife Leslie DeMeuse Disney, Disney's other daughter Susan M. Lord and his sons Roy P. Timothy J. Disney Disney, as well as 16 grandchildren.
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