Jane Shattuck-Takamoto-Baer, whose long career in animation included working on films including “Sleeping Beauty” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” died Monday at her home in Van Nuys, Calif.. She was 91.
The longtime animator, producer and industry pioneer first got her start in 1955 as an assistant animator on Walt Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty,” where she worked alongside Walt Disney Animation’s legendary “Nine Old Men.” She continued as an animator at Ed Graham Animation before joining Pantomime Studios in their layout department where she worked on “Skyhawks” and “Speed Racer.” Shattuck-Takamoto-Baer then moved to Filmation Studios, where she worked on “Aquaman” and “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” She returned to Disney in 1975, working for the legendary animator Milt Kahl on “The Fox & The Hound,” “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” and “The Black Cauldron,” and as an assistant animator on Medusa.
In 1984, Shattuck-Takamoto-Baer and her then-husband, Dale Baer, started Baer Animation, their own animation company, which would go on to become one of the most successful independent animation houses in Hollywood. Together, they created the entire Toontown sequence for “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” The company covered every face of animation production, including digital ink & paint, compositing, recording and effects. Shattuck-Takamoto-Baer also expanded these services to include a camera team that shot major portions of “The Little Mermaid,” “The Prince and the Pauper,” “Rover Dangerfield,” “FernGully: The Last Rain Forest,” “The Swan Princess” and a variety of projects for Warner Brothers Animation and Hanna-Barbera Studios. She successfully ran Baer Animation until her retirement in the early 2000s.
Shattuck-Takamoto-Baer also worked on a number of commercials, including Coca Cola’s “Disney Christmas,” Pamper’s “Disney Babies,” Charmin’s “Princess” and Snapper Lawn Mower’s “Lawn Toy” amongst many others. She received many awards for her work, including a Gold Award for Best Animation at the Houston International Film Festival for “Princess” and a Clio Award for Best Animation for “Disney Babies.”
Growing up in Winnipeg, Canada, Shattuck-Takamoto-Baer’s artistic talents were evident from an early age. She followed in her father’s path (also an illustrator) and trained at the Art Center in Pasadena. She was a founding member of Women in Animation and later served on its Advisory Board. She was also a longtime member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, The Animation Guild and Women in Film.
Shattuck-Takamoto-Baer is survived by her son Michael and his partner Beth and her brother and his family.
Donations may be made in Shattuck-Takamoto-Baer’s name to the Best Friends Pet Adoption Center in Los Angeles.
