- He was especially proud of his work on "Bambi", because it showed that animation could bring strong emotional responses from the audience, just as well as a live-action drama.
- Was part of the inner circle of Disney animators, known as the "nine old men". The other members were Frank Thomas, Milt Kahl, Marc Davis, Eric Larson, Wolfgang Reitherman, Ward Kimball, John Lounsbery and Les Clark.
- Following the death of close friend, Frank Thomas, he was the last surviving member of Disney's "Nine Old Men" until he died in 2008 at the age of 95.
- Employed at Walt Disney Productions from January 21, 1935 to his retirement on January 31, 1978.
- Caricatured as "Rufus the Cat" in The Rescuers (1977).
- He was a train enthusiast. He built a miniature railroad in his backyard. He also restored and operated a full-size antique locomotive.
- He and fellow Disney "Old Man" Frank Thomas met as art students at Stanford University in the 1930s. They were hired by Disney for $17 a week when he was expanding his studio for feature-length films. Both worked on the first full-length film, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937).
- His son and Frank Thomas' son were born only six days apart.
- Ollie and Marie Johnston's two sons are Rick (born in 1949) and Ken (born in 1951).
- Ollie Johnston's wife, Marie, was also a Disney employee in the Ink and Paint Department. They were married for 63 years. Marie died in May 2005.
- He worked his way through Stanford University by painting and selling landscapes.
- After retiring in 1978, he spoke at schools and film festivals in the US and Europe. He also wrote books about Disney's classic films and the animation process.
- He is remembered for his close friendship with fellow animator Frank Thomas. They met at Stanford University. During their years at Disney, they were often found teaming together to work on their various assignments. They became known as simply "Frank and Ollie." He and Frank Thomas bought homes close to each other. After their retirement, they continued to work on projects together until Frank passed away in 2004. Ollie would follow in 2008.
- When Frank Thomas got hired at Disney, he arranged a tryout for Ollie.
- It wasn't until late in their lives that he and Frank Thomas realized that both of their mothers had come from the same small town, Tuscola, Illinois.
- He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2005.
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