So I'm reading Chuck Jones' great autobiography "Chuck Reducks" where he simply pours his thoughts on life, passion, and animation into the page. If you aren't familiar with Chuck Jones (How?) he was an animation director at Warner Bros, Studio that worked on many of the fondest remembered Looney Tunes shorts. Jones is a startling likeable guy because of his constant self-effacement and compelling staunch opinions on any number of topics he strolls through. It also doesn't hurt that every drawing he does has the ability to speak directly to your heart and soul. Last night I came across a wonderful passage which I'd love to share with you (paraphrased by someone much less likeable):

Chuck Jones admired Walt Disney a great deal and while under Fritz Freling at Warner Bros he decided to write Walt a letter.

His letter mentioned Jones' admiration for what Walt had done for animation and for what he had continued to do by inspiring animators. Chuck sent the letter off and by his surprise received a response. Walt told Jones that he wished him great success as well and that he hoped he too would one-day inspire young animators.

Chuck Jones was so proud of this letter he kept it with him in his back pocket for years. Anytime he had an opportunity he would pull it out and show a friend. Soon the paper wore out and the cherished gift was unrecognizable. Jones mentions that he wrote to Walt Disney 4 or 5 times afterwards, and each time he had a response.

In the final day of Walt Disney's life he lay in a hospital bed like the lucky of us do. Jones' happened to be near by and visited the hospital in hopes to pay his respects to the animation legend. Jones was ushered into the room where Walt was waiting for the end. Chuck Jones mentioned his letters and thanked him for always taking the time to write back. But it had always puzzled him, why?

Walt Disney said "You're the only animator that ever wrote to me." He died six days later.

-Josh