Walt Disney's Nephew, Roy, Dies at 79

(CBS/ AP)  Roy E. Disney, the nephew of Walt Disney who became a powerful behind-the-scenes influence on the family business, has died. He was 79.

The company announced that Disney died Wednesday in Newport Beach after a bout with stomach cancer.

"He was much more than a valued 56-year Company veteran - Roy's true passion and focus were preserving and building upon the amazing legacy of Disney animation that was started by his father and uncle," said Bob Iger, President and CEO of The Walt Disney Company.

His father, Roy O. Disney, and uncle, Walt, founded The Walt Disney Co. in the 1920s. Walt was the company's creative genius but Roy Disney's father played a vital role as head of its financial side.

The younger Disney, born in 1930, worked for the company as a writer and producer. But his most important influence was as a Disney shareholder who led two investor revolts.

In 1984 he led a successful campaign to oust Walt Disney's son-in-law from the company. Nearly 20 years later, he launched another successful shareholder revolt against Michael Eisner.

Disney was a graduate of the Harvard School and Pomona College. He joined his father and uncle's company in 1953 as an assistant film editor.

He is survived by his wife, Leslie, four children from his marriage to Patricia Dailey Disney - Tim Disney, Roy Patrick Disney, Abigail Disney and Susan Disney Lord - and 16 grandchildren.

[W_A_H]

Roy Disney was a good man. I had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of times as an investor in his investment company Shamrock. Roy fought tooth and nail trying to keep the Disney Brand and equities wholesome for families, keeping Disney properties squeaky clean, free of corporate greed and keeping completely away from political anything just as his Uncle Walt did. Well, corporate greed won the day. I just wish that Walt had been around to be Roy's partner because Walt would have had Eisner and Igor pelts on his office wall on Main Street or Club 52.

The last thing Roy wanted for Disney was to keep ABC, Eisner and Igor in becoming what they did. He was successful in one effort and that was throwing Eisner off the roof of the Disneyland Hotel but not before Eisner left with just under a billion dollars. He was then rudely, unceremoniously thrown off the Disney lot literally by shareholders.

God Speed Roy, you did good my man with both Disney and preserving what you possibly could of Uncle Walt's wholesome dream which I might add is no longer.

[babooph]

I liked the way Walt sat on his desk in front of his framed bad service military discharge& the way the propaganda system waited until his death & then denied it !While he was alive they could not get away with the lie...

[AttentionDeficit]

It must have been fun being him

[scubbasteve01]

Roy E. Disney one of the true heirs to the Disney name who helped put the I back in ICON when it came
to the company's legacy and film and television history.
Rest In Peace Mr. Disney you've done a real good job here.
Uncle Walt was proud of you a long time ago.