Remembering Frank Wells

**ShrunkenNed** · 04-03-2012 08:42 AM

On this day in 1994, Disney lost a true legend. Frank Wells, former President and COO of the Walt Disney Company, was tragically killed in a helicopter accident in Nevada at the young age of 62.

When “The Lion King” opened in theaters many saw a dedication in the credits that read: “In Remembrance Of Frank Wells – President of the Walt Disney Company 1984-1994.” I remember seeing those words, and knowing of the man, but not knowing the impact Mr. Wells truly had on the company.

Wells was one of the driving forces in the turn around of the DisneyCompany in the 1980s. According to his Disney Legends profile:

“During his 10-year-tenure, Disney enjoyed unprecedented growth and revitalization with annual revenues up from $1.5 billion to $8.5 billion. Disney stocks increased a whopping 1,500 percent, while its theme parks and resorts revenues tripled. Disney Consumer Products revenues rose 13-fold, while its filmed entertainment revenues jumped 15-fold. Frank helped make Disney one of the most successful film studios in the world.”

I would personally argue that the Eisner era enjoyed its greatest successes while Wells was in tenure for the company. He seemed to be the “Roy” to Michael’s “Walt.” For more on what Frank meant to the company, I highly recommend the fantastic documentary “Waking Sleeping Beauty.”

Frank Wells was also quite an adventurer. In 1983, he set out to climb the highest mountain on each of the world’s seven continents within a single year – a feat never before accomplished at that time. He scaled six, but was forced to turn back near the top of Mount Everest. His mountaineering exploits were chronicled in his book,”Seven Summits,” co-authored by Dick Bass and Rick Ridgeway and published in 1986. His love of mountain climbing was paid tribute in the Matterhorn at Disneyland.

I still salute – rather quickly – every time my bobsled passes by. Thank you, Frank. Your contributions to Disney helped to rejuvenate the company and bring magic to a new generation of fans.

**Wedbliss** · 04-03-2012, 10:31 AM

Thanks for that article Craig. It's been endlessly discussed how the dynamic worked between Michael Eisner and Frank Wells and it's my opinion that Eisner never really recovered from the death of Wells. And of course, that sad event also brought to a head the friction between Eisner and Jeffery Katzenberg. No doubt that Frank Wells made an incalculably large contribution to the history and financial health of Disney.

Eisner and Wells started working for Disney on the same day in 1984. The board of directors and major shareholders truly wanted Wells be CEO and Eisner to be president. It was Frank Wells who convinced those concerned that Eisner should be CEO and Wells should be president. That's a pretty rare thing in corporate America. There is no doubt that Frank Wells could have easily handled being CEO, but he voluntarily supported Eisner for the position. I think that gives great insight into the character of Frank Wells.

Frank Wells also attended Pomona College in the early 1950s with Roy E. Disney, so they had a long history together before they began a professional relationship.

Along with the Frank Wells tribute in the Matterhorn, he is honored with a window on Main Street at the Magic Kingdom. It occupies a prominent place in a third floor window just above Center Street West.

Echoing the Matterhorn tribute, the window says Seven Summit Expeditions, Frank G. Wells President, "For those who want to do it all".

There was some talk around the time of Wells' passing that he might be leaving the company in order to pursue his passion for adventure and perhaps run for a political office. Who knows what might have happened if Wells had lived, but I think the Walt Disney Company still keenly feels his loss.

The public statement that Michael Eisner made regarding the death of his associate ended with the sentence "The world has lost a great human being." Very true.

**DaddyB** · 04-03-2012, 01:45 PM

Wells was in his 50's when he attempted the "seven summits". That's pretty spectacular.

Wells and Clint Eastwood were good friends. In fact he had been skiing with Eastwood the day Wells' helicopter crashed. Eastwood had left in his own helicopter just an hour prior to Wells'.

It's on wikipedia, so it must be true.

**disneylover** · 04-03-2012, 01:56 PM

I really want to watch that documentary. Does anyone know if Netflix has it?

**Wedbliss** · 04-03-2012, 05:49 PM

Waking Sleeping Beauty isn't currently streaming on Netflix, but you can rent it from them.

A great place to read more about Frank Wells is the James B. Stewart book Disney War. I found a copy at my local library.