John Hench
WritingAbout John Hench
An employee of The Walt Disney Company for more than 65 years, during which saw the creation of nearly every Disney animated feature and theme park. Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Hench attended numerous art and creative schools across the country, including the Art Students League of New York, the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Art Institute in San Francisco, and the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles. Starting in 1939 as a story artist, he weaved his way through the animation department working in areas including backgrounds, layout and art direction, effects animation and special effects. Hench was respected by Walt Disney as one of the studio's most gifted artists and teamed him with Salvador Dalí on the animated short Destino, a project begun in 1945 that was not completed and released until 2003. Hench was also Disney's "official portrait artist" of Mickey Mouse, painting the company's portraits for Mickey's 25th, 50th, 60th, 70th, and 75th birthdays. By 1954, Hench was in the studio's live action department, as lead developer of the hydraulic giant squid in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, helping to win anAcademy Award for Best Special Effects for the film. Afterward, he moved to WED Enterprises (now Walt Disney Imagineering), to design attractions for Disneyland. Hench went on to design many iconic elements for Disney's theme parks, including Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland, Space Mountain, and contributed to attractions such as the Mickey Mouse Revue. Because of his resemblance to Walt Disney and his frequent visits to Disney theme parks, he was often asked to sign autographs and pose for pictures with park visitors who mistook Hench for Disney himself. - Wikipedia
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of John Hench reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 5 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Documentary
The majority of John Hench's filmography leans towards the Documentary genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 40% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), John Hench remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Dalí & Disney: A Date with Destino, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best John Hench Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from John Hench's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of John Hench.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Dalí & Disney: A Date with Destino | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2004 | A Conversation with John Hench | Himself | Flop | Similar → |
| 2003 | The Making of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1999 | The Hand Behind the Mouse: The Ub Iwerks Story | Himself | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1965 | Disneyland 10th Anniversary | - | Flop | Similar → |
John Hench - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of John Hench?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John Hench is "Dalí & Disney: A Date with Destino" with a rating of 8.5/10.
How many movies has John Hench acted in?
John Hench has been featured in at least 5 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by John Hench?
Other notable films include "The Hand Behind the Mouse: The Ub Iwerks Story", "The Making of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea", and "A Conversation with John Hench".