Mark Henn, Animator & Disney Legend: The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin

Navigating Hollywood

Navigating Hollywood
Mark Henn, Animator & Disney Legend: The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin
Nov 11, 2025 Season 1 Episode 28
Allen Wolf

Disney Legend Mark Henn, the animator behind Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Young Simba, Mulan, and Tiana, shares how a childhood spark became a career-defining experience during the Disney Renaissance. After three rejections from Disney, he found his way through CalArts and mentorship by studio greats.

We explore the acting behind animation: how he carves distinct personalities so Belle never moves like Ariel, why a swimmer's hair flip made Mulan feel real, and how personal references (like modeling Jasmine on his sister Beth) unlock a character's essence. Mark opens up about design retreats, story challenges, and balancing style with cultural research. He reflects on his passion project, John Henry, and on witnessing Disney's transformation from hand-drawn to CG.

The constant across decades? Story and character. Films resonate when viewers see themselves in the stakes and humor. Letters from fans—children who saw themselves in Tiana, teens who found confidence in Belle—affirm why these stories matter. Mark's faith grounds his focus on excellence, gratitude, and legacy: do the work with care and leave behind characters that continue to inspire.

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The 10th Anniversary of the novel Allen Wolf wrote, The Sound of Violet, is now available wherever you buy books. Kirkus Reviews calls it "A heartwarming love story with standout characters that readers won’t forget.” The BookLife Prize says, “The prose has the sweet, forward-moving cadence of a great romantic comedy, and readers will swoon.” See more at thesoundofviolet.com.

Episode Artwork Mark Henn, Animator & Disney Legend: The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin 37:42 Episode Artwork Edwina Findley, Actor: The Residence, The Power, Fear the Walking Dead 35:24 Episode Artwork Philip Winchester, Actor: Ransom Canyon, Strike Back, In My Sleep, Law & Order: SVU 44:53 Episode Artwork Joe Holland: Writer & Changemaker, Harlem Grace, Make Your Own History 44:28 Episode Artwork Rob Stillman, Film Producer & Broadway Investor: Freud's Last Session, Amazing Grace, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder 30:23 Episode Artwork Encore: Scott Teems, Filmmaker, The Exorcist: Believer, Insidious: Red Door, Halloween 43:19 Episode Artwork Allen Wolf, Writer, Director, Producer: The Sound of Violet: Rebroadcast of Perspectives on Neurodiversity 43:16 Episode Artwork Tory Belleci, Host, Actor, Writer: Mythbusters, White Rabbit Project, Thrill Factor, The Explosion Show 35:24 Episode Artwork Timothy Keller, New York Times Bestselling Author & Speaker: Why We Need Artists 13:56 Episode Artwork Kristoffer Polaha, Actor & Writer: Jurassic World:Dominion, Wonder Woman 1984, Where Hope Grows 38:48 Episode Artwork Jeremy Fry, Stunt Coordinator & Stunt Driver: Black Panther, John Wick 3, Captain America, Baby Driver 25:04 Episode Artwork Dean Batali: TV Writer & Executive Producer, That 70's Show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Good Witch, Puppy Dog Pals 56:56 Episode Artwork Monica Macer, TV Writer & Executive Producer: Station 11, MacGyver, Queen Sugar, Lost, Prison Break 1:02:02 Episode Artwork Brian Bird, Film and TV Writer & Producer: When Calls the Heart, Bopha!, Captive, The Case for Christ 1:04:31 Episode Artwork The Sound of Violet Cast and Filmmaker Allen Wolf 33:52 Episode Artwork Conrad Pope, Composer & Orchestrator: The Sound of Violet, My Weekend with Marilyn, Harry Potter movies, Star Wars movies, The Matrix Movies 39:44 Episode Artwork Encore: Sheryl J. Anderson: Creator of Sweet Magnolias 38:19 Episode Artwork Allen Wolf: Filmmaker, Rebroadcast of The Autistic Me Podcast 51:54 Episode Artwork Scott Teems: Filmmaker: Halloween Kills, Rectify, Firestarter, The Exorcist 43:42 Episode Artwork Elizabeth A. Davis: Broadway Actress & Jordan Richard: Director at NBC News 39:45 Episode Artwork James R. Fitzgerald, FBI Special Agent: Manhunt: Unabomber, Criminal Minds 36:28 Episode Artwork Darren Moorman: Producer of Blue Miracle, Same Kind of Different As Me 32:58 Episode Artwork Ricky Staub & Dan Walser: Concrete Cowboy Filmmakers 50:24 Episode Artwork Emily Swallow: Actress, The Mandalorian, SEAL Team on CBS, Supernatural 47:00 Episode Artwork Allen Wolf: Hollywood's Biggest Night 32:58