Disney Icon Ron Clements: Iowa Time Machine April 25, 1953

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On April 25, 1953, Disney icon Ron Clements was born in Sioux City. Clements' animating and directing helped create Disney classics, including The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Moana. 

Clements’ journey to becoming a Disney legend began with a spark of inspiration from watching Pinocchio at age ten. This early fascination led him to create his own animated films using a Super 8 camera as a teenager, including a 15-minute short titled Shades of Sherlock Holmes. His passion for animation only grew stronger, eventually taking him to California to pursue his dreams.

After working with Hanna-Barbera and completing Disney’s Talent Development Program, Clements served a two-year apprenticeship under the legendary animator Frank Thomas. This experience prepared him for his feature film debut as a character animator on The Rescuers and Pete's Dragon in 1977. His collaboration with John Musker led to directing classics like The Great Mouse Detective, The Little Mermaid, and Aladdin, revitalizing Disney animation in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

One of Clements' most recent and celebrated works is Moana, a film that captivated audiences worldwide and brought Polynesian culture to the forefront. Directed alongside John Musker, Moana tells the story of a brave young heroine on a quest to save her island. The film's success was a testament to Clements' ability to craft stories that resonate with diverse audiences. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar