Milt Neil

Milton C. "Milt" Neil (May 30, 1914 – October 18, 1997), sometimes known as "the Duck Man", was an American animator, toy designer and comics artist. He worked for Walt Disney Animation Studios during the Golden Age of Animation. Nicknamed “The Duck Man” for his work on Donald Duck comics and animation, he was known for his masterful character animation, particularly expressive and comedic performances of various anthropomorphic characters (most prominently Donald Duck).

Joining the studio in 1935, Neil contributed to some of Disney's biggest landmark films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fantasia and Dumbo, until his departure in 1944. He was admired for his ability to bring personality and humor to anthropomorphic characters while adhering to Disney’s classical animation principles.

Neil later worked for Walter Lantz Productions and as a toy designer for Hasbro, and also taught animation in his later years.

Personal life Milton C. Neil was born on 30 May, 1914 in Irvington, New Jersey, the son of Polish immigrants Adam Peter Nieliwocki and Stella Hodureck Nieliwocki.

After retirement, he owned two restaurants, the Laguna Beach Club and the former Holster Restaurant. He was also a private pilot.

Neil died in 1997 and was preceded by his parents. His wife, Dorothy Elizabeth Golden Neil passed in 2004.

Career He worked for Disney Studios from 1935 to 1944.

Neil became involved with the children's show Howdy Doody, for whom he designed puppets and various other merchandising objects. Together with Chad Grothkopf he adapted the TV show into a newspaper comic between 1950 and 1953, though he only worked on it for the first three months, after which Grothkopf took over. Donald Duck / Mickey Mouse / Goofy