Judson Green, who served as the head of Disney's theme park division in the 1990s, died Monday. He was 68.
Green worked as Disney's Chief Financial Officer from 1989 to 1991, when he became President of what was then called Walt Disney Attractions, overseeing day-to-day operations of Disney's theme parks. He continued in that position until 1998, when he replaced Dick Nunis as Chairman of Walt Disney Attractions, a position he held until 2000, when he left Disney to oversee Navteq Corp.
Under his watch, Walt Disney World opened Disney's Animal Kingdom in 1998 and Disneyland Paris debuted (as EuroDisneyland) in 1992. More than a business leader, Green saw himself as a musician at heart, playing jazz piano at every opportunity.
Green and his wife were patrons of many performing arts organizations, including the Chicago Symphony, the Dr. Phillips Center for The Performing Arts in Orlando, and arts programs at his alma mater, DePauw University in Indiana.
In recent years, Green had been treated for leukemia and lymphoma. No services are planned due to the pandemic.
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Back when I was a CM, and youth was in its prime, my "go to" dating spot was the Baton Rouge Lounge on the Empress Lily at the Disney Shopping Village. Typically, the entertainment on stage was Denny Zavett and the Riverboat Rascals. But occasionally, the music was performed by the guy whose stamped signature appeared on the bottom of my Jungle Cruise skipper paycheck. Rest peacefully.