American animator Jane Baer has died aged 91. The Hollywood legend worked on iconic films such as Sleeping Beauty, The Rescuers and Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Baer passed away in her sleep at her home in Van Nuys on Monday (February 16), her longtime friend Mindy Johnson confirmed. In 1984, she launched Bear Animation with her second husband Dale Baer, which went on to become one of the few independent animation facilities in the US.

Under her supervision, Baer Animation maintained departments for every facet of animation production, from digital ink and paint, compositing, recording, to effects, and she led a team of 50 to more than 100 artists and production personnel. The company became one of the most successful independent animation houses in Hollywood, creating the Toontown sequences for Who Framed Roger Rabbit, released in 1988.

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After expanding into Baer Animation Camera Services, the company contributed to parts of Disney's The Little Mermaid and The Prince and the Pauper, as well as other animated features including Rover Dangerfield, FernGully: The Last Rainforest, and The Swan Princess.

Her husband left the company in the early 1990s and later joined Disney full-time in 1998. Baer continued running the company until her retirement in the early 2000s.

After completing her training at the Art Center in Pasadena, Baer became an assistant animator on Sleeping Beauty (1959).

She worked at Filmation Studios on series including Aquaman (1967) and Journey to the Center of the Earth (1967). Baer returned to Walt Disney Productions in 1975, serving as an assistant to animator Milt Kahl on The Rescuers (1977), where she drew the iconic villain Medusa.

Her extensive list of credits includes work on films such The Black Cauldron (1985) and The Lion King (1994) as well as animated sequences for Last Action Hero (1993) and Fletch Lives (1989). She also served as animation producer on Tummy Trouble short in 1989 and worked as a character designer for Aladdin and the Magic Lamp.

She also worked on a number of TV series from Hot Wheels (1969), The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang (1980) and The Smurfs (1981).

Baer was also a founding member of Women in Animation and went on to serve on its Advisory Board. She was also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the Animation Guild and Women in Film.

The legendary animator didn't stop in her later years, sharing her expertise with the next generation through panel discussions, and film festivals.

Jane is survived by her son, Michael, and her brother, Gerald. Donations in her name can be made to the Best Friends Pet Adoption Center in West Los Angeles.

Fans have flooded social media with tributes, with one writing: "Sad news from the world of classic animation: Legendary artist Jane Baer has passed away at 91. Baer started in the 1950s and later ran her own studio - truly a trailblazer in the industry. Rest in peace, Jane. Your work continues to inspire retro animation fans everywhere."

Another described Baer as an "amazing woman", while others thanked her for her work.

Someone else shared: "A true pioneer in animation.....her work brought so many beloved characters to life. Her creativity shaped generations of animation fans. Thank you, Jane Baer, for everything you gave to the art form."