Ken O'Brien (animator)

Ken O'Brien
Born
Kenneth O'Brien

December 19, 1915
Montana, United States
DiedJanuary 17, 1990 (aged 74)
Ventura, California, United States
OccupationAnimator
Years active1930s–1960s
EmployerWalt Disney Productions
Notable workPinocchio (1940)
Fantasia (1940)
Dumbo (1941)
Bambi (1942)
Cinderella (1950)
Peter Pan (1953)

Kenneth “Ken” O’Brien (1915–1990) was an American animator and artist who worked for The Walt Disney Company during the Golden and Silver Ages of animation.

Best known for his skill in realistic human character animation, often based on live-action reference, he contributed to classics such as Pinocchio (1940), Fantasia (1940), Dumbo (1941), and Bambi (1942), later working on films including Cinderella (1950), Alice in Wonderland (1951), and Peter Pan (1953).

Though not as widely recognized as the studio's Nine Old Men, O’Brien played a significant role in shaping the studio's animation style across his several decades working at the company.