Bold statement: The animation world lost a true pioneer, a woman whose decades of artistry shaped beloved classics and modern techniques alike. And this is the part most people miss: her behind-the-scenes influence helped turn independent studios into powerhouses of innovation.
Jane Shattuck-Takamoto-Baer, known professionally as Jane Baer, lived a remarkable life in animation. She passed away at age 91 at her home in Van Nuys, California. Her career spanned multiple decades and roles, from artist to producer, leaving an imprint across feature films, television, and commercials.
Her journey began in 1955 as an assistant animator on Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, where she worked alongside the legendary Nine Old Men from Walt Disney Animation. She then continued as an animator at Ed Graham Animation before joining Pantomime Studios in their layout department, contributing to projects like Skyhawks and Speed Racer. A stint at Filmation Studios followed, where she worked on Aquaman and Journey to the Center of the Earth. In 1975, she returned to Disney, collaborating with renowned animator Milt Kahl on The Fox and the Hound, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, and The Black Cauldron, in addition to an assistant animation role on Medusa.
In 1984, she and her then-husband, Dale Baer, founded Baer Animation, which grew into one of Hollywood’s most successful independent animation houses. The company played a pivotal role in crafting the entire Toontown sequence for Who Framed Roger Rabbit and provided comprehensive animation services—from digital ink & paint and compositing to recording and effects. Baer Animation also expanded to include a camera team that shot significant portions of The Little Mermaid, The Prince and the Pauper, Rover Dangerfield, FernGully: The Last Rain Forest, The Swan Princess, and numerous projects for Warner Bros. Animation and Hanna-Barbera Studios. Jane Shattuck-Takamoto-Baer led Baer Animation through years of growth until her retirement in the early 2000s.
Beyond features, she contributed to a number of commercials, including Coca‑Cola’s Disney Christmas campaign, Pampers’ Disney Babies, Charmin’s Princess, and Snapper Lawn Mower’s Lawn Toy, among many others. Her work earned multiple accolades, such as a Gold Award for Best Animation at the Houston International Film Festival for Princess and a Clio Award for Best Animation for Disney Babies.
Born in Winnipeg, Canada, Jane’s artistic talents showed early. Following in her father’s footsteps—also an illustrator—she trained at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. She helped advance the industry as a founding member of Women in Animation and later served on its Advisory Board. Her professional affiliations included long-term memberships with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, The Animation Guild, and Women in Film.
Jane Shattuck-Takamoto-Baer is survived by her son Michael and his partner Beth, along with her brother and his family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Best Friends Animal Society in Los Angeles: Best Friends Pet Adoption Center (https://bestfriends.org/los-angeles/adopt/adoptable-pets).
