Grim Natwick - The Creator and Animator of Betty Boop

Grim Natwick at work

Grim Natwick was truly one of the greatest Animators who ever lived. He created the character of Betty Boop, probably the only female animated cartoon character to achieve world-wide popularity.

When he came to Disney for the sole purpose of helping to animate the lead character in the world's first feature cartoon, he was well over twice the age of most of his colleagues, and left the studio after Snow White, joining his former boss Max Fleischer for his first feature Gulliver's Travels.

Snow White sketches by Grim Natwick

Snow White as sketched by Grim Natwick (small)	Snow White as sketched by Grim Natwick (large)

Best known for creating the Fleischer Studios' most popular character, Betty Boop, Natwick worked for a number of American animation studios, including the Ub Iwerks studio, Walt Disney Productions, the Walter Lantz studio, UPA, and the Richard Williams studio.

At Disney, Natwick was a lead animator on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and was instrumental in bringing the titular heroine to life.

While working for the Fleischer studios in 1939, Natwick was in charge of drawing the Prince and the Princess for Gulliver's Travels. He also helped to animate Mickey Mouse in Fantasia, Mr. Magoo, Popeye, and many other 40's and 50's cartoon greats.

Grim Natwick in later years

Photograph of older Grim Natwick

He died in Los Angeles, California of both pneumonia and a heart attack, just after having a 100th birthday party with friends such as Shamus Culhane. He is rumored to have remarked:

Well, what do you want from me now - 200?!