‘Link’ to Disney was key in theme parks
MARTIN SKLAR /
LOS ANGELES — Martin A. “Marty” Sklar, a righthand man of Walt Disney and central figure in the development and expansion of his company’s theme parks around the world, has died.
Disneyland spokeswoman Suzi Brown confirmed Sklar’s death. He died Thursday at his Hollywood Hills home at age 83, a company statement says. No details were released on the cause of death.
“Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy,” Sklar said in 2005, reading from a plaque at the front of Disneyland.
“That says so much about what Walt intended here,” Sklar said.
Sklar had roles in the development of every Disney park, from the original Disneyland in Southern California in 1955 to the Shanghai Disney Resort last year. He was revered by employees as a living link to the founder.
“Everything about Marty was legendary — his achievements, his spirit, his career,” Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. “He embodied the very best of Disney, from his bold originality to his joyful optimism and relentless drive for excellence. He was also a powerful connection to Walt himself.”
Sklar was hired as a college journalism student at UCLA to create the Disneyland News at the original park, and he started full time the following year.
He was among the first to have the unique-to-Disney title of “Imagineer” when he became the company’s chief creative leader for theme parks.