Jane Shattuck Baer

Jane Shattuck Baer, a trailblazing animator whose illustrious career spanned over six decades and left an indelible mark on the landscape of American animation, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 16, 2026, at her home in Van Nuys, California. She was 91 years old. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Baer defied societal expectations of her era to pursue her passion for art, ultimately becoming a pivotal figure in some of Disney's most beloved classics and a respected entrepreneur in the animation industry.

Baer's journey in animation began in the mid-1950s at Walt Disney Animation Studios, where she contributed as an assistant animator on the iconic film "Sleeping Beauty." Her early career saw her working alongside Disney's legendary "Nine Old Men," gaining invaluable experience that would shape her future contributions to the art form. She later lent her talents to numerous other Disney productions, including "The Rescuers," "The Fox and the Hound," and "The Black Cauldron," often in uncredited but crucial roles.

A true innovator, Jane Baer co-founded The Baer Animation Company with her then-husband, Dale Baer, in the mid-1980s. Under her leadership, the company undertook significant projects, most notably leading the character animation for Benny the Cab and the vibrant Toontown sequences in the groundbreaking film "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." Her entrepreneurial spirit and artistic vision also extended to directing stories for animated television series such as "The Smurfs" and "The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang," and pioneering location-based "light animation."

Beyond her direct animation work, Baer served as an animation producer and supervisor on various projects, including "Rover Dangerfield" and "The Beautician and the Beast," demonstrating her versatility and leadership within the industry. She was recognized for her enduring contributions, including being featured in Mindy Johnson's "Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney's Animation" and honored at the Golden Awards in 2019. Jane Baer's legacy is one of perseverance, artistic excellence, and opening doors for future generations of animators.