Hollywood is mourning the loss of famed Disney animator Jane Baer. Baer had a hand in several Disney films, including “Sleeping Beauty,” “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” and “The Rescuers.” She was 91. Now, following her death, tributes are pouring in for the legacy she leaves behind.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, a representative for Walt Disney Animation confirmed that Baer passed away at her Van Nuys home on February 16, 2026. She is survived by her son, Michael, and her brother, Gerald.
Tributes Are Pouring In for Jane Baer
Baer became one of the most influential figures in animation. Because of this, many are taking to social media to pay tribute to her not only as an animator, but also to highlight the tremendous impact she had, and will continue to have, on the industry.
Retrovania Land said on X, “Sad news from the world of classic animation: Legendary artist Jane Baer has passed away at 91. With a career spanning over half a century, she contributed to timeless Disney gems like Sleeping Beauty (1959), The Rescuers (1977), and even the groundbreaking Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), where she helped bring the magical Toontown sequences to life.
Baer started in the 1950s working alongside Disney’s Nine Old Men and later ran her own studio—truly a trailblazer in the industry. Rest in peace, Jane. Your work continues to inspire retro animation fans everywhere.”
Someone else kept it simple, saying, “My deepest condolences, Jane Baer.” Another person said, “Jane Baer is a very good animator, rip.”
Another person wrote, “A true pioneer in animation…..her work brought so many beloved characters to life. Her creativity shaped generations of animation fans. Thank you, Jane Baer, for everything you gave to the art form.”
Finally, a different fan said, “Of the Baer Animation Company? Farewell, our friend!”
She Was an Industry Titan
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1934, Baer developed a love of the arts at an early age. This led her to study at the Art Center in Pasadena. Regarding her professional career, she began as an assistant animator on 1955’s “Sleeping Beauty.” In the 1960s, the icon worked on various commercials and animated series before her return to Disney in 1975 to work on “The Rescuers.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Baer and her second husband, Dale Baer, founded Baer Animation in 1984. From there, she supervised sequences from 1988’s “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” Her company went on to become one of the few fully functional independent animation studios in the United States.
After some time, Baer expanded the company by offering camera services. This led Baer Animation to shoot portions of films such as “The Little Mermaid,” “The Prince and the Pauper,” “The Swan Princess,” and several other properties, for both Disney and other studios, including Warner Bros. Animation and Hanna-Barbera.
Her husband left the company in the early 1990s, and Baer continued in her role until her retirement in the early 2000s. She will be missed!
