Who Is Don Bluth? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on September 13, 1937, Don Bluth is currently 87 years old. He is best known for his distinctive animated films that have left a lasting legacy in the industry, including classics such as The Land Before Time, An American Tail, and The Secret of NIMH. With a passion for storytelling and a unique visual style, Bluth's work often resonates with both children and adults alike. His journey in animation began in the 1950s, and he has since transitioned through several phases of his career, becoming a pivotal figure in the 20th-century animation renaissance.
For more detailed information about his life and work, you can visit his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Production Designer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 13, 1937 |
| Age | 87 Years |
| Birth Place | El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Don Bluth's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific measurements related to Don Bluth's height and weight are not widely documented, it is essential to note that at 87 years old, he may not emphasize physical statistics as much as his creative achievements. However, his timeless passion for animation and storytelling certainly continues to be his standout characteristic.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Don Bluth has kept much of his personal life private, focusing more on his contributions to animation than on his relationships. However, it is known that he is married to his long-time wife, who has been a supportive partner throughout his career. Information about any potential boyfriends or extramarital relationships is not publicly documented, as he maintains a low profile in terms of his personal affairs.
His maternal grandfather was Rey Pratt from the Pratt family, whose own father Helaman Pratt was an early leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as a grandfather of George W. Romney and great-grandfather of Mitt Romney. He is of Swedish, English, Irish, Scottish, and German descent.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Don Bluth’s net worth is estimated to be around $20 million. This impressive figure reflects his extensive career in animation and film production, as well as his ventures into video games and other media. Bluth has earned a significant income not just from his films but through various projects, merchandising, and royalties that have continued long after the original releases of his movies.
His next film would have been an animated version of the Norwegian folk tale East of the Sun and West of the Moon, but the financial resources were drawn back and it was never made.
In 1983, he, Rick Dyer, Goldman, and Pomeroy started the Bluth Group and created the arcade game Dragon's Lair, an on rails game which let the player choose between simple paths for an animated-cartoon character on screen (whose adventures were played off a LaserDisc).
This was followed in 1984 by Space Ace, a science-fiction game based on the same technology, but which gave the player a choice of different routes to take through the story. Bluth not only created the animation for Space Ace, but he also supplied the voice of the villain, Borf.
Work on a Dragon's Lair sequel was underway when the video arcade business crashed. Bluth's studio was left without a source of income and the Bluth Group filed for bankruptcy on March 1, 1985. A sequel called Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp was made in 1991, but it was rarely seen in arcades.
Career, Business, and Investments
Don Bluth's career spans over several decades, during which he has founded his animation studio, Don Bluth Productions. His dedication to high-quality storytelling and animation led to a series of successful films during the late 20th century. While he faced competition from major studios like Disney, Bluth carved out a niche for his hand-drawn animated style that appealed to audiences seeking an alternative to mainstream productions.
In addition to film, Bluth has also ventured into video game design, creating interactive narrative games that showcase his storytelling prowess. His investments in animation and continued work on various projects demonstrate his commitment to the medium he loves.
Bluth returned to college and earned a degree in English literature from Brigham Young University. In 1964, Bluth illustrated Affairs of the Harp, a harp maintenance manual by Samuel O Pratt, with dozens of anthropomorphic cartoon harp characters he called "Harpoons".
In 1967, Bluth returned to the animation industry, and joined Filmation working on layouts for The Archie Show and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. In 1971, he returned full-time to Disney as an animation trainee.
His first project was Robin Hood, in which he animated sequences of Robin Hood stealing gold from Prince John, rescuing a rabbit infant, and romancing Maid Marian near a waterfall. For Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too, he animated Rabbit alongside John Lounsbery.
During production on The Rescuers, Bluth was promoted to directing animator alongside the remaining members of Disney's Nine Old Men. He then worked as an animation director on Pete's Dragon. His last involvement with Disney was the short The Small One. Meanwhile, he produced his first independent film, Banjo the Woodpile Cat.
Social Network
While Don Bluth is not known for a heavy social media presence, he does maintain some online interactions to connect with his fans. His occasional posts reflect his ongoing love for animation and updates on projects. Fans can find him on platforms like Twitter and Facebook, where he shares insights and behind-the-scenes looks at his work.
In 2020, Bluth launched a new animation studio called Don Bluth Studios with animator and vice president of the company Lavalle Lee, founder of traditionalanimation.com. His goal is to bring a "renaissance of hand-drawn animation", in the belief that there is an audience demand for it.
His first project is called Bluth's Fables, an anthology of short stories written, narrated, and drawn by Bluth. The stories are intended to stylistically resemble Aesop's Fables and nursery rhymes. The studio's productions are live-streamed first, and then uploaded to YouTube.
Bluth's Fables is done with pencil tests and then traced and colored in Clip Studio Paint. Bluth's memoir, Somewhere Out There: My Animated Life, was released on July 19, 2022. His first children's picture book, Yuki, Star of the Sea, was released on April 1, 2024.
It tells the story of a whale who is captured and taken to Hollywood to become a movie star.
Education
Don Bluth’s educational background includes studying at Brigham Young University, where he honed his skills in animation and filmmaking. This formal education laid the foundation for his illustrious career, allowing him to develop a keen understanding of animation techniques and storytelling that would later define his films.
As a child in El Paso, he rode his horse to the town movie theater to watch Disney films. Bluth later said, "then I'd go home and copy every Disney comic book I could find". At the age of six, his family moved to Payson, Utah, where he lived on a family farm. Bluth has stated that he and his siblings do not communicate with each other as adults.
In 1954, his family moved to Santa Monica, California. Bluth attended Brigham Young University in Utah for one year, and then returned later to complete a degree in English.
