John Hench

Date of Birth: June 29, 1908

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: February 5, 2004

Biography

John Hench was an American artist, designer, and creative director who made significant contributions to The Walt Disney Company over a career that spanned nearly 65 years. Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Hench studied at the Art Students League of New York and the Otis College of Art and Design. He joined Disney in 1939 and initially worked on Fantasia. Over the years, he became renowned for his work on theme park attractions, animated films, and even corporate identity projects. Hench played a key role in the development of Disneyland and Walt Disney World, bringing to life many iconic attractions including the Cinderella Castle. He was awarded the prestigious Disney Legend title in 1990 in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the company and the entertainment industry.

5 Interesting Facts about John Hench

1. John Hench designed the Olympic Torch for the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California.

2. He was one of Walt Disney’s closest creative confidants and worked closely with him on numerous projects.

3. Hench worked on the design of Space Mountain, one of Disney’s most famous attractions.

4. He authored a book titled “Designing Disney: Imagineering and the Art of the Show,” which provides insights into his design philosophy and work.

5. Hench continued to work at Disney up until his passing at the age of 95, making him one of the longest-serving employees in the company’s history.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Hench

1. “The park means a lot to me, and it’s not just because of the money. It’s because it’s a great place to be.”

2. “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.”

3. “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

4. “The whole idea of Disneyland is a place where you can leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.”

5. “You can’t just let nature run wild.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

John Hench’s highest net worth is not publicly documented, but his significant contributions to the Disney empire and long tenure likely afforded him considerable financial comfort.