Clyde "Gerry" Geronimi, a renowned Italian-American animation director, was born on June 12, 1901, in Chiavenna, Italy. As a young child, he immigrated to the United States, where he would later make a lasting impact on the world of animation.
Geronimi's earliest foray into the animation industry was at the J.R. Bray Studios, where he collaborated with the illustrious Walter Lantz. He left Bray in 1931 to join Walt Disney Productions, a decision that would shape the course of his career. Geronimi remained at Disney until 1959, starting out as an animator in the shorts department before ascending to the role of director.
One of his most notable achievements during his time at Disney was the 1941 short film "Lend a Paw," which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. Following World War II, Geronimi transitioned to directing feature-length animated films, lending his expertise to projects such as Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, and One Hundred and One Dalmatians.
After leaving Disney in 1959, Geronimi ventured into television, working primarily at UPA and directing numerous episodes of the 1967 animated Spider-Man series. He eventually retired from animation in the late 1960s and went on to provide illustrations for children's books written by Joan Pizzo.
Throughout his illustrious career, Geronimi received numerous accolades, including the 1978 Winsor McCay Award from the International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, for his lifetime of contributions to the animation field. The award was presented by his longtime friend and colleague Walter Lantz.
Geronimi passed away on April 24, 1989, at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence animators to this day.
