PictureLux - Hollywood, Celebrity and Entertainment Stock Photos | Roy E. Disney succumbs to stomach cancer, dies at age 79

Dec

2009

Roy E. Disney succumbs to stomach cancer, dies at age 79

Written by Picturelux Celebrity Photos Admin

Walt Disney's nephew and only child of Roy O. Disney (Walt Disney's brother) died after a yearlong battle with stomach cancer at a hospital in Newport Beach, Calififornia. Funeral services will be private; plans for a "life celebration" will be announced.

Roy Edward Disney, born January 10, 1930 in Los Angeles, California, was the son of Edna and Roy Oliver Disney, and nephew of Walt Disney. He graduated from Pomona College in 1951 and first began working for The Walt Disney Company as an assistant director and producer of "True-Life Adventure". He continued until 1967 when he was elected to the Board of Directors of the company which his father Roy Oliver Disney and his uncle Walt Disney founded.

At the time of death he was a shareholder with over 16 million shares or about 1%, and served as a consultant for the company and Director Emeritus for the Board of Directors. He is perhaps best known as the primary agitator in organizing the ousting of two top Disney executives, Ron Miller in 1984 and Michael Eisner in 2005.

He is survived by his wife Leslie DeMeuse-Disney, whom he married last year (2008), and four children from his previous marriage: Tim Disney, Roy Patrick Disney, Abigail Disney and Susan Disney Lord.

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