Ron Husband is a trailblazer.
The Citrus College 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient was the first African American supervising animator to work for Walt Disney Studios. However, before Husband established his impressive career and acquired numerous screen credits, he was a Citrus College student.
A longtime San Gabriel Valley resident, Husband attended Monrovia High School. After graduating in 1968, he enrolled at Citrus College and quickly made valuable connections. "I chose Citrus because of the convenience and affordability," Husband remembers. "Bob Bullock, an instructor in art, helped me focus on my talent."
In addition to pursuing an associate degree in art, Husband was active in the Citrus College Athletics program. He joined the Owls football and track teams, ultimately lettering in both sports. "College life provided a certain amount of discipline," he explained. When Husband graduated from Citrus College in 1971, his accomplishments on the football field had earned him a scholarship to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in art from UNLV in 1973 and then took a night class at the ArtCenter College of Design in Los Angeles. While enrolled at the ArtCenter, Husband was encouraged to share his portfolio with the Walt Disney Animation Studios apprentice program. He was accepted into the program in 1975 and initially tasked with "in-between" work. This meant that Husband spent his time filling in the drawings between the animator's key sketches. On his own time, he animated 51 feet of rough animation scenes on "The Rescuers."
Although Husband would work on many productions during his time as an "in-betweener," he did not initially qualify for a screen credit. Even after being promoted to the role of animating assistant, he had not completed the required 100 feet of animation scenes. However, this changed in 1978 when he was listed as an animator on the film "The Small One." For the next 35 years, he would accrue a remarkable list of credits, including "The Fox and the Hound," "The Great Mouse Detective," "Oliver and Company," "The Little Mermaid," "The Rescuers Down Under," "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," "The Lion King," "Pocahontas," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "Hercules" and "Fantasia 2000." Husband retired from Walt Disney Studios in 2013.
In addition to his work with Walt Disney Studios, Husband also illustrated numerous children's books and magazines. In 2013, he authored "Quick Sketching with Ron Husband," which was translated into Japanese and Chinese. He also illustrated "Steamboat School," which was published in 2016. It was selected for a Junior Library Guild Award and a Jane Addams Children's Book Award.
Husband has also had a notable teaching career. He is currently an instructor at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, Mt. San Antonio College and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Additional education experience includes teaching animation, character design and animation at the Gnomon School of Visual Effects and the Laguna College of Art and Design. Husband has also conducted workshops and lectured at Xavier University, Biola University, California Institute of the Arts, Sam Houston State University, Edinboro University and more.
Husband has received numerous recognitions throughout his illustrious career. These include the Centurion Award from the National Religious Broadcasters, the National Achievement in Art Scholastic Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center and Assemblymember Chris Holden's 2023 Unsung Hero Award. Most recently, President Joe Biden awarded him the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in late 2023.
Happily married for 52 years, Husband and his wife LaVonne reside in San Dimas. They have three adult children and six grandchildren.
Mr. Husband's story was originally featured in the program for the 108th Citrus College Commencement.