Latter-day Saints have had an immeasurable impact on American animation, more so than members of nearly any other minority of comparable size. Even early Mickey Mouse was influenced by a Latter-day Saint artist: Floyd Gottfredson drew Disney's Mickey Mouse comic strip from 1932 to 1975.

In modern times, the most famous American animator is the legendary Don Bluth, a Latter-day Saint who critics agree has done more to reinvigorate animation as an artistic medium than anybody since Walt Disney. Bluth's films include such cutting-edge animated features as All Dogs Go to Heaven; The Secret of NIMH; The Land Before Time; Titan A.E.; and Anastasia.

Other Latter-day Saint animation professionals range from Richard Rich (The King and I; Swan Princess; The Black Cauldron; The Fox and the Hound) to up-and-coming artists such as Brandon Arnold ("Jip") and an animator of Disney's Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea.

In addition to their impact in mainstream animated features, Latter-day Saints have also created animated films based on stories from the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The independent company known as The Living Scriptures, founded in 1974, has produced over 35 half-hour videos intended to teach children scriptural stories, spiritual values and ethics. These include animated biographical films about historical figures such as Harriet Tubman, Thomas Edison, and Joan of Arc.

Some Latter-day Saints have worked as voice actors or performed music for animated feature films films, including Donny and Marie Osmond (Mulan; Buster & Chauncey's Silent Night; Hugo the Hippo) and Larry Bagby (Invasion Earth: The Aliens Are Here). On television, the Osmonds had an animated series build around them. Jay North was the voice of "Bamm-Bamm" on the original "Flintstones" TV series and its spinoffs. Billy Barty provided the voice of Dweedle on the animated TV series "Wildfire." And the Engemanns did voice work on the short-lived animated series "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids." Many Latter-day Saint voice actors are not listed here, but can be found on the main film actors page.

Finally, it is worth noting that there are some animated films which have prominently featured Latter-day Saint themes, but which were created by filmmakers who were not . Notable among these is Hayao Miyazaki's Kiki's Delivery Service (which depicts the missionary experience), as well as Hercules; The Lion King and The Tigger Movie from Disney.

DreamWorks' The Prince of Egypt depicts the dramatized story of Moses, who is a major figure in Latter-day Saint scripture. DreamWorks consulted with Latter-day Saint archaeologists and theologians when producing this film. They also consulted with scholars and representatives from other Christian denominations, as well as from the Jewish and Muslim communities. DreamWorks' official Prince of Egypt web site presents study guides from seven religious scholars, including one by Dr. Kent Brown, a Latter-day Saint professor of Ancient Studies at Brigham Young University.

Don Bluth

Films Directed by Don Bluth

• Titan A.E. (2000)
• Bartok the Magnificent (1999)
• Anastasia (1997)
• The Pebble and the Penguin (1995)
• Thumbelina (1994) - also wrote screenplay
• A Troll in Central Park (1993)
• Rock-A-Doodle (1991)
• All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989) - also wrote story
• The Land Before Time (1988)
• An American Tail (1986)
• The Secret of NIMH (1982) - also wrote screenplay
• Banjo the Woodpile Cat (1979)
• The Small One (1978)

Video Game Animation Directed by Don Bluth

• Dragon's Lair (1983)
• Space Ace (1984)
• Dragon's Lair II: Timewarp (1991)

Other Films Don Bluth Worked on as an Animator

• Xanadu (1980)
• The Rescuers (1977)
• Pete's Dragon (1977) - animation director
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)
• Robin Hood (1973)

Richard Rich

Films Directed by Richard Rich

0. The Trumpet of the Swan (2001)
1. The Scarecrow (2000) - also wrote story
2. The King and I (1999)
3. The Swan Princess (1994) - also wrote story
4. The Swan Princess II: Escape From Castle Mountain (1997) - also wrote story
5. The Swan Princess III (1998) - also wrote screenplay
6. The Black Cauldron (1985) - also worked on screenplay
7. The Fox and the Hound (1981)

Films on which Richard Rich was Assistant Animation Director

• Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too! (1974)
• The Rescuers (1977)
• Pete's Dragon (1977)
• The Small One (1978) - also composed one of the songs

Other Producers

Jerry Molen, executive producer

• Casper (1995; live action w/CGI animation, based on a cartoon)
• The Flintstones (1994; live action film based on a cartoon)

Pam Coats, producer

• Mulan (1998; received the "Annie" award for Best Animated Film of the Year)
• Trail Mix-Up (Roger Rabbit)
• Runaway Brain (1995; executive producer; nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short)

John Garbett, co-producer

• Shrek (2001)

Don A. Judd, producer

• The Princess and the Pea (2001)
• Tiny Heroes

Voice Actors

Gordon Jump

• The Small One (1978)

Billy Barty

• "Wildfire" (1986 TV series) - Dweedle

Larry Bagby III

• Invasion Earth: The Aliens Are Here (1987) - Tim

Jay North

• "The Flintstones Show" (1973 TV Series) - Bamm-Bamm Rubble
• "The Flintstones Comedy Hour" (1972 TV Series) - Bamm-Bamm Rubble
• "The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show" (1971 TV Series) - Bamm-Bamm Rubble
• "Here Comes the Grump" (1969-71 TV Series) - Terry Dexter
• "The Banana Splits Adventure Hour" (1968 TV Series) - Turban

Rockne Tarkington

• "The Banana Splits Adventure Hour" (1968 TV Series) - Morgan

Marie Osmond

• Buster & Chauncey's Silent Night (1998) - Queen
• Hugo the Hippo (1976) - songs

Donny Osmond

• Mulan (1998) - Captain Li Shang (singing voice)
• "Nilus the Sandman" (1994 TV series) - Trendoid
• "The Osmonds" (1972-73 TV series) - himself

Jimmy Osmond

• Hugo the Hippo (1976) - songs
• "The Osmonds" (1972-73 TV series) - himself

Osmonds Brothers

• "The Osmonds" (1972-73 TV series) - Alan, Jay, Wayne, Donny, Jimmy and Merrill all provided the voices for this cartoon about themselves

Lex de Azevedo

• The Swan Princess (1994) - Rothbart (singing voice)

Other

Chris Conkling, screenwriter

• The Lord of the Rings (1978)

Robert F. Brunner, composer

• The Small One (1978)

Leo D. Paur, writer

• "Tranformers" (1984 TV series)

Animated Feature Films with Prominent Latter-day Saint Themes

• Majo no takkyubin (1989; "Kiki's Delivery Service") - missionary experience
• The Tigger Movie (2000) - family history
• Prince of Egypt (1998) - Moses
• Hercules (1997)
• The Lion King (1994)

Living Scriptures

Some of the people who have worked on these videos include Richard Rich (director, producer), Orson Scott Card and Brian Nissen (writers) and Lex de Azevedo (composer).

The Animated Stories from the Old Testament: Abraham and Isaac Joseph in Egypt Samuel, the Boy Prophet Elijah Daniel Esther Moses Elisha Ruth David and Goliath Solomon Joseph's Reunion

The Animated Stories from the New Testament: The King is Born John the Baptist The Prodigal Son The Good Samaritan The Miracles of Jesus The Lost Is Found The Greatest is the Least He is Risen Jesus, the Son of God The Bread from Heaven Lazarus Lives Lord, I Believe The Lord's Prayer The Kingdom of Heaven The Good Samaritan Saul of Tarsus The Ministry of Paul The Righteous Judge

The Animated Hero Classics: Christopher Columbus William Bradford -- The First Thanksgiving George Washington Benjamin Franklin Abraham Lincoln Thomas Edison Florence Nightingale Pocahontas Louis Pasteur Alexander Graham Bell Maccabees: The Story of Hanukkah Harriet Tubman The Wright Brothers Helen Keller Leonardo da Vinci Joan of Arc

The Animated Stories from the Book of Mormon: Nephi and the Brass Plates Journey to the Promised Land Abinadi and King Noah The Conversion of Alma the Younger Ammon, Missionary to the Lamanites The Brother of Jared The Savior in America Samuel the Lamanite Helaman's Stripling Warriors Alma and the Zoramites The Tree of Life Mormon and Moroni The Joseph Smith Story

Living Scriptures Videos Written by Orson Scott Card

• The Nativity
• He Is Risen
• Journey to the Promised Land
• The Prodigal Son
• The Good Samaritan
• The Joseph Smith Story
• Nephi and the Brass Plates
• Noah and Abinadi