Marty Sklar, who led creative development at many of the Disney parks, attractions, and resorts around the world, died Thursday at age 83 at his Hollywood Hills, California, home.
Sklar worked for Disney for his entire career, beginning as a UCLA student and continuing from his graduation in 1956 until his retirement in 2006, 50 years later, according to the Disney Parks Blog.
Sklar started out creating a newspaper for the brand new Disney theme park, but soon became the right-hand man for Walt Disney, writing speeches, marketing pieces, and later becoming the creative leader for Imagineering when it was created.
“Marty was the ultimate Disney Imagineer and Cast member,” Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Bob Chapek said, relating that Sklar had been present at the D23 Expo just two weeks earlier even though he was retired. Chapek also said Sklar had attended the openings of all the Disney parks ever opened around the world.
“We will dearly miss Marty’s passion, skill and imaginative spark that inspired generations of Cast, Crew and Imagineers,” he added.
Sklar was informally known as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice because of his closeness to Walt Disney and his involvement in so many aspects of operations.
“Everything about Marty was legendary — his achievements, his spirit, his career,” Disney Executive Robert Iger said on the Disney Parks Blog. “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.”
Twitter fans paid tribute to Sklar’s lifetime of dedicated work with Disney.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.