Don Bluth is a renowned American animator, film director, producer, and writer who has brought to life some of the most iconic animated movies of the 1980s and 1990s. With a distinctive animation style inspired by Disney’s classics, Bluth has crafted family-friendly animated tales like The Secret of NIMH, An American Tail, The Land Before Time series, and All Dogs Go to Heaven. In this article, we will take a closer look at Don Bluth net worth and how he amassed his wealth.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Donald Virgil Bluth |
|---|---|
| Popular Name | Don Bluth |
| Gender | Male |
| Birth Date | September 13, 1937 |
| Age | 85 years (as of August 15, 2024) |
| Parents | Emalinee Pratt and Virgil Ronceal Bluth |
| Siblings | Six siblings, including illustrator Toby Bluth |
| Birth Place | El Paso, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Swedish, English, Irish, Scottish, and German descent |
| Education | Degree in English Literature from Brigham Young University |
| Marital Status | Not specified |
| Sexual Orientation | Not specified |
| Spouse | Not specified |
| Children | 1 |
| Dating | Not specified |
| Net Worth | Approximately $2 Million (as of June 1, 2024) |
| Source of Wealth | Animation, Film Direction, Production Design, Animation Instruction |
| Height | Not specified |
| Weight | Not specified |
Don Bluth Net Worth
With numerous successful films spanning almost 40 years, Don Bluth has amassed considerable wealth. Though his exact salary is undisclosed, Bluth earns multi-million dollar fees for directing and producing animated movies.
According to reports, Don Bluth has an estimated net worth of around $2 million as of 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His wealth comes primarily from box office earnings of his films. Residuals from DVD sales, rentals, and TV broadcast rights add to his income. Profits from his animation studio and its contracts are also part of his fortune.
Don Bluth Salary & Earnings Highlights
While Don Bluth’s exact annual salary is not known publicly, here are some highlights of his estimated earnings over the years:
- Earned an estimated $7-10 million salary for directing major studio films in his heyday in the late 80s and early 90s.
- Collected over $20 million cumulatively from the success of An American Tail and The Land Before Time franchises which were huge hits in the 80s.
- $10 million paycheck for directing 1994’s Thumbelina which had a $28 million budget.
- Owning his own animation studio provides business revenue in addition to a director’s salary.
- Long career spanning 40+ years provides consistent income from filmmaking as well as backend earnings.
Though finances have fluctuated depending on each film’s success, Bluth has maintained steady high-paying employment in the animation business as a renowned director. The animation legend’s wealth reflects his reputation as one of the top names in the industry over the last four decades.
An Overview of Animator Don Bluth’s Career & Net Worth
Don Bluth’s Career
Bluth’s career took off in the 1970s when he worked as an animator at Walt Disney Productions. Though he worked on classics like Robin Hood and The Rescuers, Bluth became disillusioned with Disney’s cost-cutting measures and declining animation quality. In 1979, he left Disney and started his own studio Don Bluth Productions.
Bluth’s first feature film as a director was 1982’s The Secret of NIMH, which became both a critical and commercial success. The movie earned over $14 million against a modest budget of $7 million. Its dark, rich animation style was a departure from Disney’s lighter visuals at the time.
Buoyed by the success of his studio’s debut, Bluth followed up with An American Tail in 1986 which topped the box-office charts that year. The movie resonated with audiences and critics, earning $84 million worldwide. The studio continued its hot streak with 1988’s The Land Before Time, which spawned over a dozen lucrative direct-to-video sequels.
Notable Films
Some of Don Bluth’s most beloved and highest-grossing films include:
- The Secret of NIMH (1982) – $14.7 million
- An American Tail (1986) – $84.4 million
- The Land Before Time (1988) – $84.5 million
- All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989) – $27 million
- Anastasia (1997) – $139.8 million
Bluth also directed Rock-a-Doodle (1992), Thumbelina (1994), and Titan A.E. (2000), though they underperformed at the box office.
Accolades
For his pioneering work in animation, Bluth has received various honors and awards. He won an Annie Award for Best Animated Effects in 1982 for NIMH. Bluth was also inducted into the Annie Awards Hall of Fame in 1992.
In 2022, he was awarded the View Conference Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to animation and visual effects. The next year, Bluth received the Visual Effects Society Hall of Fame honor celebrating his innovations in the field.
Recent Projects
Despite hits and misses over the decades, 81-year-old Bluth continues working in animation. Bluth has also been outspoken about his disappointment with the quality of contemporary animation. He feels studios today are risk-averse and lack creativity compared to the 1980s animation renaissance he helped spur.
Recent Don Bluth News & Updates
Here are some of the latest news and developments in Don Bluth’s life and career:
- Bluth was honored with the View Conference Distinguished Service Award in October 2022, recognizing his contributions to animation and VFX. In his acceptance speech, he criticized modern Hollywood animation studios for lack of creativity.
- In November 2022, he received the Visual Effects Society’s Hall of Fame Award for his pioneering career achievements in animation spanning over 40 years in the business.
- An art exhibit titled ‘The Art of Don Bluth’ showcasing his work opened in November 2022 at the Heritage Museum of Orange County in California. It features production art from his hit movies among other exhibits.
- In January 2024 interviews, Bluth expressed disappointment at the decline in hand-drawn animation quality and overreliance on CGI at studios today. He hopes to inspire artists to bring back character-driven stories.
- Also in early 2024, Warner Bros. announced plans to restore and remaster several Bluth classics like An American Tail, The Land Before Time, and All Dogs Go to Heaven for 4K Blu-ray release.
At 81 years old, animation icon Don Bluth continues to make films while inspiring nostalgia among fans who grew up with his magical movies. His pioneering style and visionary storytelling brought timeless tales to life that endure as classics today. Also, check out Donna Brazile Net Worth.
5 FAQs About Don Bluth’s Net Worth
Don Bluth is an acclaimed animator and director who has made numerous iconic animated films. Here are answers to 5 of the most frequently asked questions about his net worth and earnings:
How much did Don Bluth get paid for his first film The Secret of NIMH?
While his exact salary is unknown, Bluth likely earned a few million dollars for directing and producing the breakthrough hit The Secret of NIMH, which grossed $14 million on a $7 million budget.
How much money did An American Tail make at the box office?
An American Tail was a huge success grossing over $84 million worldwide in 1986. It was the highest-grossing non-Disney animated film at the time, earning Don Bluth millions.
Did Don Bluth direct The Lion King?
No, Don Bluth did not work on The Lion King or any Disney films. He left Disney in 1979 to start his own competing studio and directed films like An American Tail, The Land Before Time, and All Dogs Go to Heaven.
Conclusion
Don Bluth pioneered a signature style of animated storytelling that made him one of the most financially successful directors in the industry’s history. Thank you for reading this article with PennBook.
