Walter Lantz

Walter Lantz was the lifetime achievement Academy Award winning cartoonist, animator, producer, screenwriter and director who was honored “…for bringing joy and laughter to every part of the world through his unique animated motion pictures;” widely viewed in 38 countries. The many characters that he created, during the Golden Age of American Animation, to tell his charming, delightful, amusing stories included Woody Woodpecker, Andy Panda, Chilly Willy, Gabby Gator, Wally Walrus, etc. etc.; each of which had their own unique personalities and character and worldwide fan following. Walter was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, served on the advisory board of the National Student Film Institute, set up a scholarship and prize for animators at the California Institute of the Arts, and has seventeen of his works in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. Walter and his lovely wife Gracie entertained the troops during the Vietnam War, visited hospitalized veterans and also children’s hospitals, where Walter would draw his characters with a dedication and Gracie, Woody Woodpecker’s voice for many years would fill the ward with joy doing her famous Woody Woodpecker laugh. Walter’s rare original paintings and prints are highly sought after worldwide and command ever increasing prices.