Disney Executive Denise Greenawalt Dies at 52

According to The Hollywood Reporter, longtime Disney PR executive Denise Greenawalt, passed away in her sleep on May 22, following a long illness. The company announced the news today. Greenawalt was 52 years old.

Greenawalt was responsible for the publicity campaigns for many of the Disney studio's most popular animated films including The Lion King, Toy Story and Toy Story 2 and Beauty and the Beast. She also was involved in the success of Touchstone Pictures blockbusters such as Armageddon, The Rock, Con Air and Pearl Harbor.

"Denise was absolutely one of a kind, with her brilliant professionalism and enough energy to light an entire city," said producer Jerry Bruckheimer. "We worked on many films together, and Denise made a tremendous contribution to their success, just bubbling over with fresh and bold ideas. She will be missed by all of her friends and colleagues, and certainly by me."

Added John Lasseter, , chief creative officer of Pixar and Disney Animation Studios., "All of us at Pixar and Disney, and in the animation industry, have lost a true friend and a great supporter. Denise worked tirelessly and enthusiastically to publicize our films and always went above and beyond The Call of duty to get the word out about our new releases. She was smart, funny and full of great ideas when it came to publicity. Denise was an important part of the animation renaissance at Disney."

Photo courtesy of Denisse Greenawalt Facebook page

To post a comment, you must register and login.