In Memoriam: Bill Littlejohn

Bill Littlejohn - image via awn.com

Aeronautical engineer, Army test pilot, animator on "Peanuts" and ASIFA-Hollywood co-founder.

And of course, union organizer too. Thank you, Bill Littlejohn!


On May 29, 1941, Bill Littlejohn, together with Art Babbitt, coordinated the Disney strike that lasted through the summer of 1941, ending only when Federal mediators were called in. Bill's efforts paved the way for what we know today as the Animation Guild, I.A.T.S.E. Local 839.

Wage minimums, healthcare, a pension and other retirement benefits are just some of the things made possible by the efforts of Bill Littlejohn and others.

Read Tom Sito's article about the 1941 Disney strike.

Bill Littlejohn passed away in 2010 at the age of 96. You can read more about Bill's life here:

• Harvey Deneroff's article on Bill Littlejohn and Bill Melendez - with video.
• The Cartoon Brew article on Bill Littlejohn.
• His obituary in the Los Angeles Times, by Charles Solomon.