Disneyland Designer & Puppetry Artist, John Leland, Dies at 91

John Leland, Disneyland designer and founding member of Bob Baker Marionette Theater, passed away on November 12 at the age of 91. If you’ve ever strolled Disneyland’s Main Street, the visual artist behind much of the window displays and beyond were because of John’s visual and puppetry talents.

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As shared by Variety: John Leland, designer for Disneyland and a founding member of Los Angeles’ Bob Baker Marionette Theater, died Thursday (Nov. 12) at a nursing home in Ventura, California. He was 91.

The longtime visual artist collaborated with Baker on Main Street Emporium window displays at Disneyland and Disney World for properties including “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” and “101 Dalmations,” and designed puppets and scenery for theatrical productions including “Sketchbook Revue” and “Holiday Spectacular.” He also worked with Baker to develop a line of Disney-licensed marionettes in the 1990s.

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We’re thankful for John’s talent and inspiration with Disney. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Leland family.