Randy Fullmer, 'The Little Mermaid' Host and 'Chicken Little' Producer, Dies at 73

Randy Fullmer, a veteran Walt Disney Animation Studios animator and producer who worked on "The Little Mermaid" and "Chicken Little," died of cancer on July 10. He was 73 years old. Walt Disney Animation confirmed the news in a statement to Variety.

"Most people are good at one thing in their lives. Randy was good at many things," wrote Don Hahn, with whom Fullmer worked on "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King." "He could draw and paint beautifully, but he had the mind of an engineer and the heart of a craftsman. He was excellent in animation; great for producing movies, too. He was at the very center of Disney's renaissance in animation, and then when he needed a new chapter in his life, he began crafting exquisite, highly sought-after bass guitars with the same engineering spirit and artistic soul he brought to Disney animated movies. His masterful woodwork radiates his love for the artisan ethos of working with head, hands and heart. I miss him but I carry his passion and his joy with me every day. I always will."

Fullmer was a prominent animation producer and artistic/visual effects supervisor for Walt Disney Animation Studios, where he worked for nearly 20 years. His work is credited on some of Disney's most iconic films, including as effects animator on 'The Little Mermaid', visual effects supervisor on 'Beauty and the Beast', art coordinator on 'The Lion King' and producer on 'The Emperor's New Groove' and 'Chicken Little'.

He was born on April 27, 1950 in Richland, Washington, playing many instruments throughout his teenage years. Fullmer learned to build guitars and later started the rock band The Isle of Phyve, playing piano, guitar, brass and percussion before going to college.

He then studied architecture at Washington State University where he learned film and animation. Fullmer was then accepted into the animation program at the California Institute of the Arts, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

After graduating, Fullmer ran his own animation business which included creating segments for "Sesame Street" and various television programs. In 1983, he joined the Don Bluth studios where he produced special effects for the video games "Dragon's Lair" and "Space Ace". He worked at Apogee, the live-action special effects house of John Dykstra, then moved on to Filmation where he hosted projects such as "Happily Ever After", "BraveStarr" and "Ghostbusters".

In 1987, he was hired by Walt Disney Feature Animation on a three-month contract to work on "Toon Town," which quickly turned into an 18-year career at the studio. He is credited with advancing the Disney renaissance in animation for his work on various projects including "Oliver & Company", "The Rescuers Down Under", and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame".

After his retirement, Fullmer launched Wyn Guitars in 2006. His company made guitars for talents, notably Abraham Laborriel, James Lomenzo, Jimmy Haslip, Mamorsice, Mamelger, Stat Ielh son, Jermaine Jackson, Ethan Farmer and Fernando "Psycho" Vallin.

His company later inspired Mike Enns to create the movie "Restrung" about Wyn guitars.

Fullmer is survived by his wife; Diana, daughter-in-law; Becky Kuriyama, son-in-law; Nick Kuriyama, sister; Cathy Lou Tusler and her half-brother; Scott Landon.