NC Disneyana 2022 Guest List
ALEX MAHER
(Sr. Character Artist) Alex Maher was at the tender age of five when Disney caught his interest. Alex read all he could find on Disney and drew the characters constantly. He knew way back then that he had to work for Walt Disney’s company. Mr. Maher began his art career aboard a U.S. Naval ship as an Illustrator-Draftsman. After his time in service, Alex held various positions as a graphic artist and illustrator in his hometown of Miami. With encouragement from his parents and his wife Marian, Alex relocated his family to Orlando, in the summer of 1991, to pursue his dream of becoming a Disney artist. The first couple of months were the toughest until he finally got his “foot in the door” when he showed several character sketches to the manager at Walt Disney Creative Merchandise. Alex began as a contract artist for Disney and was thrilled to be able to draw all his favorite Disney characters! However, he still felt like an “outsider”. Finally, on December 6, 1993, Alex achieved his lifelong dream by being hired on as a full-time Senior Character Artist with Walt Disney Attractions Merchandise, which later became the Disney Design Group. As a Senior Character Artist, Alex’s responsibilities include drawing all the Disney characters as well as training the younger character artists to make sure the integrity of the Disney characters are upheld. |
MARGARET KERRY
(Note: Due to scheduling conflict will not appear in person) Margaret Kerry is an American actress, motivational speaker and radio host best known for her 1953 work as the model for Tinker Bell in the Walt Disney Pictures animated feature, Peter Pan. While working under her given name as a dancer and actor in the Our Gang comedy shorts, she came to the attention of Eddie Cantor who cast her in the role of his teenaged daughter in the film If You Knew Susie as well as bestowing her stage name on her. She graduated high school with honors while working on the film and later graduated cum laude from Los Angeles City College. While still a teen, Margaret Kerry gained a role as “Sharon” in one of the very first network sitcoms, The Charlie Ruggles Show on ABC-TV. The show’s farewell episode after its five-year run featured Sharon’s wedding and honeymoon, a major media event. www.tinkerbelltalks.com |